An example, a lesson

30 years ago, Cuban and Angolan combatants wrote with their blood and sacrifice one of the most heroic pages of recent history. They responded with steadfastness to the letter sent by Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz. Concerning that battle, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz presented his reflections in the book Cangamba, by Jorge Martín Blandin, excerpts of which Granma has reproduced

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In warfare what one expects does not always happen, and that was what occurred on August 2. 1983 with the enemy attack on Cangamba. This is a little town situated at a considerable distance from the region which was the objective of the aggressions of the South African army and where the Cuban internationalist troops were deployed, given that the reason for their presence was precisely to prevent a foreign military invasion.

The enemy achieved something very important: the element of surprise. On the other hand, its troops were emboldened by the superiority afforded them by the extremely strong material and organizational support of the racist regime. However, they were unable to transform this favorable situation into a victory. That was prevented by the heroic resistance of the Cuban and Angolan combatants, who defended tooth and nail, over seven days, a position which, on a number of occasions, was reduced to the proportions of a football field, virtually without water, medicine and food.

Also decisive was the courageous and exemplary action of the internationalist combat aircraft pilots – who caused the bulk of enemy losses – and who, in conjunction with those of transport and helicopter aviation, risked everything to save their besieged compañeros.

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In addition to the deserved tribute to the exceptional merit of the Cangamba veterans, their example of completely fulfilling a duty is of inestimable value. (…)

Surrender, defeat or the possibility of being taken prisoner never entered the mind of any of them. The decision to face the enemy to the final consequences was firm, without thinking of its numbers or the better armaments at its disposition.

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At no point did that complex military operation have the proposition of maintaining control over a remote little town lacking strategic value. We were simply consistent to a principle: the Revolution does not abandon even one of its sons and daughters.

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I recall that first moment of peace, when on August 10, the enemy retreat was confirmed. That afternoon, in my office at MINFAR (Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces), which had become the command post for the Comandante en Jefe during the entire operation, I asked him if he remembered during our lives as revolutionaries any week of such expectant and dramatic tension, and he agreed that no other like this one came into his mind.

Maybe this could seem an affirmation more symbolic than objective, motivated by the closeness of the event, above all for concerning the principal protagonist of so many great and small battles. But there is an essential difference, in the majority of them we shared the risks. On this occasion we were overwhelmed with particular force by finding ourselves 10,000 kilometers from those 100-plus compatriots in imminent danger of death.

I know that all Cuban revolutionaries will understand me. We have all been forged in the same Fidel school of courage and sacrifice, and make every effort to act accordingly. Once again, Cangamba amply demonstrated that.

GRANMA