February 12, 1817 - An Argentine / Chilean Army Defeats Royalist Spanish Forces After Crossing the A

Throughout history, mountainous crossings have proven to be dangerous and potentially devastating for large armies. However, because of this risk, armies that successfully cross said ranges have been able to take their enemies by complete surprise - A model established by Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps in the Second Punic War, repeated by Napoleon more than 1,500 years later. This was the case for the forces led by Jose De San Martin in the Argentine / Chilean war of independence - in a journey that lasted just over twenty days, one third of San Martin’s army died to the cold and supplies shortages. However, at the battle of Chacabuco, the rebels were able to defeat the Spanish forces, paving the way for an counter-offensive in Chile.

(Image here)