The Battle of Topáter, or Battle of Calama, was fought on March 23, 1879 between

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...

and

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

. It was the first battle of the

War of the Pacific The War of the Pacific ( es, link=no, Guerra del Pacífico), also known as the Saltpeter War ( es, link=no, Guerra del salitre) and by multiple other names, was a war between Chile and a Bolivian–Peruvian alliance from 1879 to 1884. Fought ...

. The Chileans were taking possession of the Antofagasta (Litoral) Province, then a part of

. The few Bolivian troops decided to make a stand in the town of Calama. On their way to occupy Calama, 554 Chilean troops, including cavalry and with two

Krupp The Krupp family (see pronunciation), a prominent 400-year-old German dynasty from Essen, is notable for its production of steel, artillery, ammunition and other armaments. The family business, known as Friedrich Krupp AG (Friedrich Krup ...

rifled guns, were opposed by 135 Bolivian soldiers and civilian residents led by Dr.

Ladislao Cabrera Ladislao Cabrera (May 23, 1830 – 1921) was a Bolivian hero during the War of the Pacific. Born in Totora, Cochabamba Department, Carrasco Province, he is famous for organising the defence of Calama against the Chilean invaders in the War of t ...

, a civilian and a political authority in the region. The Bolivians fought next to the Topáter ford, which runs outside the city. Cabrera dug in at two destroyed bridges; calls to surrender were rejected before and during the battle. Outnumbered and low in ammunition, most of the Bolivian force eventually withdrew except for a small group of civilians, led by Colonel

Eduardo Abaroa Eduardo Abaroa Hidalgo (13 October 1838 – 23 March 1879) was Bolivia's foremost hero of the War of the Pacific (1879–1883), which pitted Chile against Bolivia and Peru. He was one of the leaders of the civilian resistance to the Chilean ...

, that fought to the end. The Bolivian national hero, Abaroa, died in the battle. Further ground battles would not take place until the war at sea had been completed.

References

Battles involving Chile Battles involving Bolivia Battles of the War of the Pacific Conflicts in 1879 1879 in Chile 1879 in Bolivia Battle of Topater March 1879 events {{Bolivia-hist-stub