The Salvadoran Officer Corps and the Final Offensive of 1981

Synopsis

The 'final offensive,' an insurgent campaign fought after El Salvador’s coup of 1979, clearly demonstrated the strengths, weaknesses, idiosyncrasies, and behavior of the Salvadoran officer corps. During this crucial period, the military institution faced the double threat of internal politics and a rebel guerrilla army. Colonel Bosch served as the U.S. Embassy’s Defense and Army Attaché‚ during the crisis. His intimate perspective brings to life the important political and military events before, during, and after the final offensive. His book gives an historical perspective as well, tracing the development of officer attitudes from 1931 to 1979. The Armed Forces political crisis of 1979 and 1980 is discussed, followed by a detailed recounting of the offensive itself. The results of the offensive are analyzed, including the short-lived cohesiveness shown by the officer corps, and the divisiveness that lasted through the war and into peace. The text is complemented by maps and photographs.