Talk:Battle of Callao

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Contents 1 The bombardment of Callao-Dispatches from Commodore Rodgers, May 10 1866 2 Contradiction 3 Strategic Victory? 4 Madrid place 5 Reconquer what? 6 British reactions 7 hey little vandalizer... 8 Sources

[edit] The bombardment of Callao-Dispatches from Commodore Rodgers, May 10 1866

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9D01E5D81631EF34BC4B51DFB366838D679FDE&oref=slogin

this neutral version is very similar to the peruvian version, so...who is lying? Greetings Rasdar 190.40.33.130 (talk) 02:44, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Contradiction

At the top of the article we read... "It bombarded the port of Callao (or El Callao), but eventually withdrew without any major damage to the city.".

And at the bottom..."Peruvians suffered about 200 casualties between dead and wounded. Because of Spanish fire damages on the port were heavy."

So what was it? light, or heavy? Do 200 dead in the span of a few hours constitute light casualties?

[edit] Strategic Victory?

How can this be a peruvian strategic victory when they suffered four times the casualties (including a dead defence minister), and the city's defences were destroyed? --Bistor92 16:49, 1 February 2007 (UTC) Spanish ships routed and despite high casualties they hold their ground, damaging nearly all Spanish ships including their flagship. Thats why is an strategic victory. Miguel

They were routed after none were sunk? How do you figure that?

How does a casualty rate 400% higher than the enemy translate to a victory? I will be tagging this peruvian nationalistic drivel for what it is: non-neutral.--Bistor92 16:40, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

A Peruvian strategic victory is obvious. The argument that a 400% casualty rate difference indicates that this is no longer a strategic victory ignores the other key issues of this battle.

Spanish forces were not able to inflict the destruction of 1.) the town, 2.) occupying forces or 3.) defenses. Had the Spanish destroyed any of these three it might have meant only a tactical victory for the Peruvian forces.

A Peruvian strategic victory occurred because their forces were able to keep control of the town, their forces were remained in tact, their defenses were not destroyed and the town was not destroyed.

There is nothing nationalistic in stating that this battle was an important strategic victory for Peru.

Please also note that I am not Peruvian. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Leroigwg (talk • contribs) 18:01, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

I agree with Leroigwg on this one. First of all, the casualties were not 400% in the Peruvian side. There was a difference of basically 40 men...that's not 400%. As a matter of fact, for the defenders to have lost such a minor ammount of troops in comparisson to the heavy firepower of the Spanish (whom, thinking the Peruvians as bad for war, lost 43 men and many more ended up wounded). Since the battle itself had no clear visual result, the technical victory was a strategic Peruvian victory because it shattered the military morale of the Spanish fleet, it was a major blow of shame against the Spanish back in Europe, and because it united four nations from South America and completely raised the spirits of the allied side. Claiming this battle to be a "Stalemate" or "Inconclusive" without taking into account the other things would be completely irrational.--MarshalN20 (talk) 15:05, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Madrid place

Are the Callao plaza and Madrid Metro station named after this battle?

Yes. And Mendez Nuñez street, too. He was made a hero for that battle (even if most of people didn't understand it alright). --80.103.138.14 02:56, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Reconquer what?

Spanish fleet's goal was not reconquer independent Peru., but more than that, an intent of "saving face" after two defeats against "lesser" enemies. Peruvian people usually see it that way, but Spanish fleet never had that intention. Of course, they were not a true "Scientific Expedition", but maybe a "Show-off Expedition". Anyway, I'm gonna rewrite the "reconquer" parragraph. --80.103.138.14 02:56, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

For such a one-sided claim, you need a citation. Currently, the article contains both ideas, but it really needs quite a lot of sources.--MarshalN20 (talk) 15:10, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] British reactions

The spectacle of the battle apparently moved British and American witnesses off the coast to shouting, "Viva Peru!" (highly unusual given the zeitgeist). This seems like an interesting enough fact to fit into the article if anyone knows more about it. Albrecht 23:31, 18 April 2006 (UTC)

Nothing unusual about wanting the weakness of a commercial and imperial rival.

--Bistor92 16:49, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Spain in 1866 rivaled no one. Albrecht 03:11, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Spain's fleet in 1866 was the fourth most powerful in the world, after England, France and the US, and was in an expansive "mood". Mel Romero 03:22, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] hey little vandalizer...

Bistor92 stop vandalising this page, please dont lose your wikipedia account in silly behaviours.. Miguel —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 200.62.146.244 (talk) 15:57, 5 May 2007 (UTC).

Before giving lessons on wikipedia policy, you might want to learn how to sign, Miguel.--Bistor92 16:41, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Sign? For what? You already know my name, and is not a lesson is an advertisement. Stop Vandalising, Okay??? Miguel

[edit] Sources

This article has the capability to be an FA, but it simply needs more sources.--MarshalN20 (talk) 15:11, 3 May 2008 (UTC)