The 50th Infantry Regiment (Cuchilleros de la Muerte) was a
Bolivian infantry regiment that fought in the
Chaco War. Nicknamed the Knives of Death (), the regiment relied almost exclusively on the use of blade weapons, particularly
bayonets. The personnel were recruited from Bolivian prisons and under command from army and police officers. Their targets were Paraguayan isolated patrols and astray soldiers.
The regiment was established by Bolivian Colonel
Bernardino Bilbao Rioja
Bernardino Bilbao Rioja (20 May 1895 in Arampampa – 13 May 1983 in La Paz) was a Bolivian officer who served during the Chaco War (1932–35). He pioneered the use of air forces in combat (the first to be used in this capacity in South A ...
after his men found the remains of 20 bodies of Bolivian soldiers, hacked to death by members of the Paraguayan
Macheteros de Jara
The Macheteros de Jara was an auxiliary cavalry regiment that was organized since August 15, 1932, before the Battle of Boquerón began. The regiment was recruited from former outlaws from Paraguay who fought against Bolivian officers and soldier ...
. As retaliation, the Bolivian Army recruited rogue police and military officers and a number of seasoned criminals into the new regiment, whose mission was to harass and spread panic among Paraguayan troops in the rearguard.
See also
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Macheteros de Jara
The Macheteros de Jara was an auxiliary cavalry regiment that was organized since August 15, 1932, before the Battle of Boquerón began. The regiment was recruited from former outlaws from Paraguay who fought against Bolivian officers and soldier ...
- Paraguayan equivalent and predecessor.
References
{{reflist
Michel, Pablo (29 September 2016) ''La Historia del Regimiento 50 de Infantería, los "Cuchilleros de la Muerte"'', Fortin De La Patria, OruroNoticias de Bolivia - Periódico La Patria (Oruro - Bolivia)
Chaco War
Irregular units and formations