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 NICARAGUA
(Combat)
Subject: The Nicaraguan Revolution
(Military Situation)
From: M/A Nicaragua
Report No. 46
April 13, 1927
ACTIVITIES:
Referring to my radio No. 12 of April 5,
Generals Viquez and Gomez continued
their attack against Tierra Azul and the
hills immediately west thereof on April
6 with about 1800 men, captured the town
and advanced to positions south and east
of the hills which covered the main
avenue of escape in these directions; On
the same date Generals Delgadillo and
Reyes advanced south and east, through
Muy Muy, with 1700 men to positions
north and west of the hills to prevent
Moncada’s escape in those directions. By
night April 6, Moncada’s force of about
1200 men was completely surrounded on
the hills west of Terria Azul by the
three government armies totaling about
3500 men, yet on the 7th day of April
the government forces rested and
continued to rest until April 11.
Moncada’s forces were known to be short
of supplies and Viquez hoped to starve
them out and capture them without
further bloodshed. Viquez and Gomez
attacked the enemy position on April 11
and Mena, after severe fighting, managed
to escape with about 350 men in the
direction of Matiguas with Cruz Hurtado
in hot pursuit with about 500 men. When
the government forces finally advanced
to Moncada’s position on the hills on
April 12 they found the enemy had
abandoned it and broken up into small
parties, most of which they report are
retreating independently in the
direction of San José de los Remates
pursued by the armies of Delgadillo and
Reyes.
The government claims that it has gained
a decisive victory over Moncada, who is
reported to be fleeing with eight or ten
men toward Rio Negro with a view to
reaching the Atlantic Coast.
The government reports that it captured
20,000 rounds of small Arms Ammunition,
135 rounds of Artillery Ammunition, 3
Cannon (obsolete), 5 Machine Guns and
many rifles.
It is estimated that about 300 men were
killed on each side. There are no
figures available at this time on the
number of prisoners and wounded.
It is impossible to state at this early
date what effect the engagement will
have on the continuation of the
revolution, but it is probable that the
small revolutionary bands will attempt
to reassemble and carry on unless they
are captured within the next few days.
Sources – American Legation, Nicaraguan
Government, and personal observation:
A. W. Bloor,
Military Attaché.
United States National Archives, College Park
MD, Record Group 165, Entry 77, Box 2660.
Transcribed by Nicholas J. Quadrini.
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U.S.
Military Attaché Major A. W. Bloor's Reports on
the Nicaraguan Civil War, March-May 1927