War Against The Bandits - Tactics

Tactics

At the outset, the insurgents launched dozens of attacks on rural communities, destroying more than 30 houses, setting fire to over 40 rural schools, as well as state farms, grocery stores, and agricultural warehouses. They ambushed nearly 20 civilian vehicles, among other actions. More than 80 Cuban government soldiers were killed fighting against the insurgents, and hundreds more were wounded.

Following the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, Alzado leader Osvaldo Ramirez returned to the Escambray mountains and declined an offer by Fidel Castros' emissary, Comandante Faure Chomón, to surrender. According to Dr. Miguel A. Faria, Chomon had been Ramirez's chief in the Revolutionary Directorate in the Escambray during the guerrilla war against Batista.

The Cuban governments main tactic was to deploy thousands of troops against small groups of rebels, forming progressively constricting rings of encirclement. The Communist leaders Castro sent to clear the Escambray Mountains (La segunda limpia del Escambray) were ordered to exterminate the rebels. They were to "comb the brush, elbow to elbow" until they had completely cleared the hills of anticommunist rebels. The generals pledged they would capture Comandante Ramirez himself. Superior numbers and the lack of outside assistance, particularly supplies, led to the rebels' defeat.

The outnumbered anticommunist guerrillas often fought to the death. Cuban forces used sweeps by long columns of militia, which cost the government substantial losses but ultimately won the war. Hispano-Soviet advisor Francisco Ciutat de Miguel, who was also present at the Bay of Pigs Invasion, played a major role in the pacification operation. Castro employed overwhelming force, at times sending in as many as 250,000 government troops.