Bombing of Plaza de Mayo

Bombing of Plaza de Mayo

The bombing of Plaza de Mayo is an event in Argentine history.

On June 16, 1955, starting at 12:40 PM, a force of 34 Argentine Navy airplanes, consisting of 22 North American AT-6, five Beechcraft AT-11, three Consolidated PBY Catalina amphibians, and four Gloster Meteor, from the Argentine Air Force, on a flight meant to repair a perceived offense to the national flag, straffed and bombed Plaza de Mayo, in what was, to this day, the only air assault ever on Argentine soil.

A total of 9.5 tonnes of ordnance were dropped, killing 364 (mostly civilians) and injuring more than 800. Fire ceased at 5:20 PM. Three planes were downed by hastily-mounted anti-air guns.

After the failure of the intended coup (as neither the Army nor the Air Force joined in), the aviators received orders to flee to Uruguay and ask for asylum.

In September of that year, all the armed forces would join in the Revolución Libertadora, which overthrew President Juan Perón and started a period of military rule that ended in the 1958 presidential elections, won by Arturo Frondizi of the UCRI. Even though the Peronist party was not allowed to enter the ballot, Frondizi's victory was influenced by Perón's instructions to his loyal base, given from his exile in Madrid.

Bullet marks are still visible on some of the buildings that flank the Plaza to the South.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo — For the documentary film, see The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo. The white shawl of the Mothers, painted on the ground in Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires …   Wikipedia

  • Dirty War — For other uses, see Dirty War (disambiguation). Argentinean Dirty War Part of Operation Condor …   Wikipedia

  • Buenos Aires — This article is about the Argentine city; the name may also refer to Buenos Aires Province or the Buenos Aires Central Business District (also known as the Porteña City or port city). For other uses, see Buenos Aires (disambiguation). Buenos… …   Wikipedia

  • Argentina — For alternative meanings, see Argentina (disambiguation) and Argentine (disambiguation). Argentine Republic[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Osvaldo Cacciatore — (1924 – 2007) was an Argentine Air Force officer and former de facto Mayor of Buenos Aires during the National Reorganization Process military dictatorship. Contents …   Wikipedia

  • Operation Condor — For other uses, see Operation Condor (disambiguation). Operation Condor …   Wikipedia

  • Orlando Bosch — Operation Condor …   Wikipedia

  • Falklands War — Map outlining the British recapture of the islands …   Wikipedia

  • Coordination of United Revolutionary Organizations — Operation Condor …   Wikipedia

  • Montoneros — en Plaza de Mayo. Activa 1970 a 1979 País …   Wikipedia Español

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”