From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
undated
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 1, folder 73
Image Count:
1
Description:
The first frames here (6-12) depict, much as Print 2 does, an advanced perimeter rebel post near Santiago, this one commanded by Cdte. Rene de los Santos (Frame 7, center, long raincoat) operating a radio transmission facility (RR12, that is Radio Rebelde Doce) and a relay point for couriers, supply runners, forward observation agents (i.e. spies). Frame 9 depicts such a function: a confidential personality en route to rebel headquarters (an operative or perhaps a minor local community leader committed to cooperation with the guerrillas) is passed through in a jeep blanketed with a large plastic shower curtain to keep the passenger invisible. Even the frames showing the stuck truck are illustrative: the favorite sport of rebel advance units was the acquisition and operation of motor transport, an enterprise they often attacked with more enthusiasm than expertise. Other frames show the photographer on the shore near the RR12 shortwave shack.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1958
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 110
Image Count:
1
Description:
These shots were made in the early fall of 1958 to document astonishing rebel advances, and government military withdrawals. A guerrilla patrol is shown here playing jukebox at road-side halt on the march above Puerto Boniato. For Fidel's faithful, junglebound for eighteen months, these were miraculous portents of the unmistakably approaching victory over the tottering Batista forces.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
undated
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 111
Image Count:
1
Description:
Interrogation of suspect (see also Print 38). Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez's rebel troop unit on the march above El Cobre. They come under fire from medium mortar, apparently fired by government unit stationed downhill near El Cobre: phosphorus shells ignite savannah and patrol dashes for cover.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1958
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 112
Image Count:
1
Description:
These frames show a small-unit, fast-moving rebel attack on El Cobre. Frames 4-13: Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez sights target down in valley at nightfall. Note white towers of El Cobre sanctuary, famous Cuban landmark, visible in distance. Frames 14-15 show rebel soldiers hastily requisitioning supplies in tiny Chinese grocery on El Cobre's outskirts. Rest of frames show Ramirez's patrol attacking and burning attack target: army supply dump outside El Cobre.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1958
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 113
Image Count:
1
Description:
These frames show a small-unit, fast-moving rebel attack on El Cobre (see also Print 42.) Frames 11-23 show Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez planning night attack and scanning El Cobre valley from overlooking hilltop. Frames 6-16: rebel unit prepares for attack. Rest of frames are night shots of attack target - army supply huts outside El Cobre burning after rebel strike.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
undated
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 115
Image Count:
1
Description:
Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez's rebel troop on march above Puerto Boniato. Capt. Ramirez shown in frames 28-29. Note that sound of approaching vehicle brings rebels into ambush positions shown on frames 30-37 (vehicle turned out to be captured rebel jeep.)
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1958
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 116
Image Count:
1
Description:
These photos, shot in early fall of 1958, document decisive rebel military breakthrough in its initial stage: all around the Sierra Maestra range government forces are withdrawing, evacuating small, hard-to-defend outposts and minor towns. This sheet shows the taking of a small town, Las Minas de Bueycito, by forces from Cdte. Fidel Castro's own Columna Nr. Uno: it was a momentous event, for it was the first real town occupied (if only for twenty-four hours) by this column. Cdte. Humberto Sorí Marin, rebel's Judge Advocate General and the commander who led this particular advance, is shown on horseback on Frame 24. Capt. Mario Vasquez, another senior troop leader, is shown on frame 30. Woman - the local pharmacist - detained for questioning on charges that she was a government informer (not an implausible idea, for this town had just been evacuated after long occupation by a government battaillon) shown in frames 5-9.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
undated
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 117
Image Count:
1
Description:
This sheet shows rebel entry into Las Minas de Bueycito, first town to be seized and held for twenty-four hours by troops of Cdte. Castro's own Columna Nro. Uno (see also Print 46.) Fidel Castro is shown on frames 19-20: this was a historical occasion, for he had entered Las Minas at nightfall on horseback, and is shown here in local general store back room (a store belonging to the pro-rebel Abich family repeatedly mentioned by Che Guevera) talking to town leaders. However, since everyone was terrified of appearing in any sort of published photographic account of this event - that is, a published account that would document collaboration or sympathy with the rebels after the army troops had returned in strength a few days later, an event anticipated by all - picture taking was limited that night. It was restricted to some shots of Paco Cabrera, one of Columna Uno's senior troop leaders, drinking beer (frame 6); other men from the column having a bang-up dinner; a shot of Fidel's faithful cook (frame 21); and shots of rebels withdrawing early next morning (frames 21-28).
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
undated
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 118
Image Count:
1
Description:
This sheet shows the headquarters unit of Fidel Castro's Columna Uno operating just outside Las Minas de Bueycito (see also Print 47.) Frame 13 et seq.: Fidel's mayordomo-cook, Emilio Moran. Frames 26-37 show significant event: influx of recruits from surrounding areas. With government forces showing unmistakable signs of weakness, rebel recruiting rose rapidly. These recruits had already undergone some staging and selection at a rebel induction station; they are here on their way for combat training at one of the several such facilities acquired by guerrilla forces by early fall of 1958. Frames 23-25 show rebel recruits with a cherished (presumably captured) military pistol. Photographer (St. George) is shown on frame 16.