Peru: Joint Command commemorates Republican Army's 202nd anniversary

Photo: ANDINA/Piero Vargas

Photo: ANDINA/Piero Vargas

11:52 | Lima, Aug. 18.

The Joint Command of the Armed Forces on Friday reported that today marks 202 years of the creation of Peru's Republican Army.

This act —held on August 18, 1821, shortly after the country's independence had been declared— is considered the starting point for the Peruvian Army.

The Army of Republican Peru was created on that date by Liberator Jose de San Martin.

This would be an instrument to face the Spanish military forces, which had withdrawn towards the Andean zone.

Peruvian Legion of the Guard

Its composition included an infantry battalion, two cavalry squadrons, and a light artillery companyinitially called the Peruvian Guard Legion.

It was the first military unit formed to launch the fight for independence, enabling Peru to stop being a colony of Spain.

This contingent participated in each heroic deed carried out for this purpose, until the Battle of Ayacucho, which in 1824 successfully consolidated Peru's independence.

Commanding their ranks were Jose Bernardo de Tagle, Marquis of Torre Tagle; as well as Guillermo Miller and Eugenio Necochea.

Miller led the 'Húsares' (Hussars) battalion, which until now remains within the Peruvian Army.

At the dawn of independence, it was made up of 600 members, coming from native communities, as well as deserters from royalist forces.

(END) FGM/MVB

Publicado: 18/8/2023