Bataille d’Itapiru

Significance

The Battle of Itapirú on April 17, 1866, marked the opening of the Triple Alliance's ground invasion of Paraguay, making it a strategic threshold in the broader Paraguayan War. Coming one week after Brazil's capture of Purutué Bank, it represented a shift from preliminary riverine operations to direct incursion into Paraguayan territory. With a Brazilian force of approximately 10,000 engaging a Paraguayan defense of around 4,000, the engagement established the operational foothold from which the Alliance would prosecute the wider campaign into the country.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (1)