From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
undated
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 1, folder 77
Image Count:
1
Description:
A series of short takes showing rebel positions on perimeter of Sierra stronghold: this one at Maffo, under Capt. Henrique Boronat* (on the bottom rows of frames, Capt. Boronat is always the young officer in broadbrimmed hat on extreme right, with armband and shoulder patch: he is also shown on frames 27-31 supervising coffee processing in a local cafetal.) Frames 25-26 show another significant perimeter activity: this is the "defection team" of Cdte. Faul Chibas (right, beard, hat, eyeglasses) and Cdte. Jose Quevedo (center). Cdte. Quevedo was a high-ranking Batista Army officer captured by the rebel forces during the big government push in June 1958; Quevedo (who was trapped together with most of his troop, the 17th Bataillon) subsequently joined the guerrilla forces and went on special assignment with Raul Chibas. Their mission was to contact military commanders commanding government troops at army outposts facing the rebel perimeter, and attempt to talk them into defecting to the Castro forces. Note man on left in these two frames (civilian with sombrero, pistol) is typical local go-between utilized in these clandestine feelers towards wavering government officers. Frames 32-36 show funeral of local townsman caught in crossfire between rebel and government patrols. Note on last frame (36) bearded Negro officer in center is "Pombo" who accompanied Che to Bolivia in 1967 and became one of half-dozen guerrilla leaders in that expedition to escape alive and somehow return to Cuba via Chile. *Not to be confused with Victor Boronat shown in Book 1.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
undated
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 1, folder 78
Image Count:
1
Description:
Rebel forward post over Santiago; this one near La Lata, then Cdte. Juan Almeida Bosque's column command post. It is commanded by Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez (officer shown in hammock in frames 28-29) and its principal function was that of a bombshop and demolition training post, one of several maintained by the rebels in the Sierra. Most of the frames show Capt. Ramirez with his favorite devices: pipebombs, home-crafted road mines, etc. Top three left frames show guerrilla hammocks slung in an abandoned back-country cockpit. Boy is local mascot.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
undated
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 1, folder 79
Image Count:
1
Description:
Rebel command post of Capt. Eddie Sunol (shown checking supplies on frame 28). Anciano sifting rice is local nutritionist. On Frames 20-21: Lt. Hanibal Hidalgo, at the time photographer's travel aide. Photographer shown with photo mule on Frames 22-23.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
[1959 January 1, 2?]
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 135
Image Count:
1
Description:
This print shows the destruction of civilian dwellings by Batista's air force bombing campaign in the weeks leading up to the final collapse and partial surrender of the dictator's high command. Frames 11-12 show a Catholic priest, probably a Franciscan, speaking with members of the rebel forces in an area that appears to be an abandoned bunker. In many cases, Batista's troops gave themselves up to the conquering rebels through Catholic clerics who served as intermediaries. See also Print 12.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1959 January
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 136
Image Count:
1
Description:
Fidel Castro and troops taking over a Cuban military air base, probably located in Oriente, and commandeering a military tank. Herbert Matthews of theNew York Times can be seen in suit and tie standing behind Fidel Castro in frame 4 of this print. Matthews met Fidel at the air base in the first days following the rebel victory. He had not seen Fidel since their first encounter in the mountains on February 17, 1959. See also Print 12.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1959 January
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 137
Image Count:
1
Description:
Contains two prints. The first print shows damages caused to civilian housing by Batista's air force bombing raids during the last weeks of 1958 before the collapse of the regime. The second print shows rebels riding on a tank followed by the jeep in which the photographer was riding. It is likely that these images were taken in the first or second day following the rebel victory when St. George and two other journalists, Jules Dubois of the Chicago Tribune and Jay Mallin of Time-Life, accompanied Fidel Castro's caravan from Oriente to Havana.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1959 January
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 138
Image Count:
1
Description:
This is the first print that traces Fidel's victory caravan as it made its way to Havana. At various points, Fidel made up for time lost on the way to greet cheering and grateful citizens by taking a British helicopter for portions of the route that his forces had captured from the defeated Batista military days earlier. Here Fidel rendezvouses with members of his team that have advanced by car. Frames 5-12 show some of the guerrillas having breakfast in a workers' cafeteria. See also Prints 14-17 and 47.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1959 January
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 139
Image Count:
1
Description:
Taken in the very first days following the collapse of the dictatorship and the rebels' seizure of power, this print shows Fidel being crowded by guerrillas and well-wishers as he proceeds in his victory caravan to Havana. Frames 13-27 show Fidel in profile as he converses with Eloy Gutiérrez Menoyo, a key figure in the military front of El Escambray mountains in the central province of Santa Clara. Gutiérrez Menoyo's early involvement in the urban struggle against Batista was marked by the death of his brother at the hands of Batista's police. Gutiérrez Menoyo later turned against Fidel when the Revolution became Marxist and conspired in a new armed movement against the government until he was captured and imprisoned, ultimately serving twenty years.
From the Collection: Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Published / Created:
1959 January
Call Number:
MS 650
Container / Volume:
Box 2, folder 140
Image Count:
1
Description:
Taken in the very first days following the collapse of the dictatorship and the rebels' seizure of power, this print shows Fidel Castro and his forces as they take over a military air base once held by Batista's air force. Standing with Fidel in frames 8-22 are a group of former batistiano pilots responsible for the bombing campaign that killed and terrorized so many civilians from May to December 1958. On the occasion of the meeting, Fidel famously assured the men that they would not be subject to trial and execution for their crimes, although he reversed that position several weeks later and all the pilots were executed. Frames 24-25 show two exhausted guerrillas asleep in the back of an American-made car with the driver (frame 26) looking on. See also Print 21.