The 100 Hour War: The Conflict Between Honduras And El Salvador In July 1969 (Latin America@War) by Dan Hagedorn, Mario Overall


The 100 Hour War: The Conflict Between Honduras And El Salvador In July 1969 (Latin America@War)
Title : The 100 Hour War: The Conflict Between Honduras And El Salvador In July 1969 (Latin America@War)
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1911096508
ISBN-10 : 978-1911096504
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 104 pages
Publication : Helion and Company

In July 1969, while the world was expectant about the upcoming first manned landing on the moon, two little known Central American States crossed sabers in what was derogatorily coined by the media as 'The Soccer War'. Far from a simple out of hand sports passion, this conflict had its complicated origins back in the early 20th century when the North American companies United Fruit and its rival, Standard Fruit, operated in Honduras and both deemed it necessary to import workers from El Salvador, since the locals were insufficient in numbers. What followed was an exodus of than 300,000 Salvadorans who settled in Honduras and for a while, the latter countrys government saw this with good eyes. That is until the early 1960s, when political changes and the liberalization of the region's commerce through the Common Market Treaty made it painfully evident that the country that benefited the most from it was El Salvador, while Honduras would be destined to carry a heavy economic burden. Inevitably, it chilled the relations between the two countries and had a direct bearing in the treatment from the Hondurans towards the Salvadoran peasants. Amidst sporadic violence against the immigrant peasants, the two governments began negotiations aimed at solving the immigration problem and signed three agreements. However, while the negotiations were taking place, clandestine armed groups were organized in Honduras with the purpose of harassing and controlling the Salvadoran people living in that country. This situation was worsened by a coup d'etat that brought to the presidency the Honduran General Oswaldo Lopez Arellano, who had a very different point of view than his predecessor regarding the immigrants' situation. Shortly after, the expelling of thousands of Salvadorans began. The return of the peasants to El Salvador brought a series of problems for that country, since all were returning unemployed and needing food, clothing and some kind of shelter all of this in the midst of an economic crisis that not even the advantages obtained through the Common Market Treaty had been able to alleviate. Thus, it didnt take long for the Salvadoran society to begin clamoring for some sort of military response against Honduras. With this delicate political background, the eliminatory rounds for the Jules Rimet World Soccer Cup (to be held in Mexico the next year) began and during these, the national teams of El Salvador and Honduras would have to face each other in order to obtain a classification. During those games, the violence against Salvadoran immigrants in Honduras increased and caused strong protests from the Salvadoran Government, which ended in the rupturing of diplomatic relations and followed by additional border incidents, which included the strafing of a Honduran airliner while it was taking off from Nueva Ocotepeque. Eleven days later, the war began. This book, backed by than 20 years of research, explores meticulously the actions undertaken by both countries in the air and on the ground during this short but intense confrontation, and that saw the last dogfights between World War II era piston engine aircraft in the world. Besides an impressive selection of photos, the book also features a section of color profiles and markings, and a set of tables detailing the identities of the aircraft operated by both countries during the conflict.

The 100 Hour War: The Conflict Between Honduras And El Salvador In July 1969 (Latin America@War) Reviews

  • Galvanized Yankee

    Well documented book on an obscure war. I think it’s written with a slight Honduran bias, but the drawings, maps, and obscure photos are fantastic. My only complaint is I know a number of the photos are in color, but all are printed in black and white. The color aircraft prints are excellent. Highly recommend for anyone interested in this subject.

  • Scott Bailey

    Excellent book covering this little known battle conflict. Book as maps and pictures giving it a plus, easy to read and follow. Ground offense is covered as well as the air war. History of the conflict leading up and the ending of the conflict is also covered in great detail. Organization of each countries military is covered and combat losses are also mentioned.

  • James Pernikoff

    It's commonly known as the Soccer War, but the disputes that led to armed conflict started well before the referenced soccer match. This short conflict was unique in being the last time that WW II aircraft fought each other in the sky, and the entire story is told very well here. Some of the photos are understandably of poor quality, but just their inclusion is welcome, along with the color pages showing maps and side views of the aircraft, which weren't all fighter planes! If you follow Latin American history, this book, and the entire series that it is a part of, is a must.

  • Bolanofer

    I was only 5 and living in San Salvador when this incredible war happened. The book allowed me to remember some fading memories and help me to gain a complete understanding.

  • Brian Wormsbacher

    Outstanding book you need to read this book

  • marco rocha rocky

    Very well done source of info about a crazy episode in Central America

  • James

    I paid $28 for a comic book. I thought this was a real historical piece about the Honduran El Salvadore conflict. It is 72 pages of mostly photos, illustrations and captions. A real disappointment.

  • bugginkarl

    Well written, researched, and illustrated with beautiful profile artwork, this was a hard book to put down. Provided a lot of history about the region, the causes leading to the war, the aircraft and aircrews as well as the combat. A MUST HAVE for anyone interested in Latin American Military Aviation!

  • Willy Henderickx

    As usual with the books written by Dan Hagedorn, this a detailed history of the events during the 100 Hour War including a description of the political situation in both countries involved.

    Further photographs not seen before are included.

    Willy Henderickx