CENPA-033~09 |
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"At the headquarters the commanders used to say that if someone got lost in the bush, or ran away, he was finished: he would die of hunger and thirst, or be killed by FRELIMO bandits. In Mueda they said that Fernando had been tied to a tree and killed with arrows* The officers assured us that they had seen him dead. But I didn't believe them. I started to prepare my escape, I had about twenty men ready to escape with me, but we had to run away earlier because one of my friends was going to be arrested - so we had to advance our plans and only three of us could come". The third member of the group is MANUEL DE SILVA LOPES who was born in Santa Eulalia, Portu*al. He is twenty-two and a bricklayer. He was conscripted into the army in 1966 and trained in artillery. He claims to have completed his primary education, i.e. attended school until the age of thirteen, but as he is completely illiterate this seems highly unlikely. He is by far the weakest member of the group and indeed, gives the impression of being slightly dim-witted. He seems incapable of thinking for himself and always follows the lead of the other two. As the other two explained, they brought him along because he was going to be punished for threatening an officer at gun-point. The two prisoners were captured in separate operations on the 7 and 24 March respectively. JOAO BORGES GOMES is twenty-two years old. He attended school until the age of thirteen and then went to work on the land until the age of twenty- one when he was conscripted. He spent three months as a recruit under regular training and then another three months receiving specialised training as a sniper before embarking for Mozambique on 31 January, 1968* He was eventually posted to Chai, which the day after his arrival, was attacked by FRELIMO. During the fighting he was injured and while still unconscious was taken away by FRELIMO. Since that time he has been with us receiving medical treatment and has now completely recovered. Donft know why fighting When asked to comment on his treatment by FRELIMO he stated: "I was well treated and have no complaints to make. Of course, there was sometimes a shortage of food. That is why it took me several months to recover. But this was because we were in the fighting areas and so I understand". On being asked why he came to Mozambique, if he came to defend his country, he replied: "No! I came like all the other Portuguese soldiers. We were forced. We don't have anything to defend here. Only the officers say that everything is calm in Mozambique. We soldiers are only fighting because we have been ordered to fight. When we go to the bush on an operation we are afraid, and pray that the enemy will not appear. We are not fighting for anything. You, FRELIMO, are fighting to defend your country, Mozambique, -7-
Object Description
Description
Title | CENPA-033~09 |
Filename | CENPA-033~09.tiff |
Full text | "At the headquarters the commanders used to say that if someone got lost in the bush, or ran away, he was finished: he would die of hunger and thirst, or be killed by FRELIMO bandits. In Mueda they said that Fernando had been tied to a tree and killed with arrows* The officers assured us that they had seen him dead. But I didn't believe them. I started to prepare my escape, I had about twenty men ready to escape with me, but we had to run away earlier because one of my friends was going to be arrested - so we had to advance our plans and only three of us could come". The third member of the group is MANUEL DE SILVA LOPES who was born in Santa Eulalia, Portu*al. He is twenty-two and a bricklayer. He was conscripted into the army in 1966 and trained in artillery. He claims to have completed his primary education, i.e. attended school until the age of thirteen, but as he is completely illiterate this seems highly unlikely. He is by far the weakest member of the group and indeed, gives the impression of being slightly dim-witted. He seems incapable of thinking for himself and always follows the lead of the other two. As the other two explained, they brought him along because he was going to be punished for threatening an officer at gun-point. The two prisoners were captured in separate operations on the 7 and 24 March respectively. JOAO BORGES GOMES is twenty-two years old. He attended school until the age of thirteen and then went to work on the land until the age of twenty- one when he was conscripted. He spent three months as a recruit under regular training and then another three months receiving specialised training as a sniper before embarking for Mozambique on 31 January, 1968* He was eventually posted to Chai, which the day after his arrival, was attacked by FRELIMO. During the fighting he was injured and while still unconscious was taken away by FRELIMO. Since that time he has been with us receiving medical treatment and has now completely recovered. Donft know why fighting When asked to comment on his treatment by FRELIMO he stated: "I was well treated and have no complaints to make. Of course, there was sometimes a shortage of food. That is why it took me several months to recover. But this was because we were in the fighting areas and so I understand". On being asked why he came to Mozambique, if he came to defend his country, he replied: "No! I came like all the other Portuguese soldiers. We were forced. We don't have anything to defend here. Only the officers say that everything is calm in Mozambique. We soldiers are only fighting because we have been ordered to fight. When we go to the bush on an operation we are afraid, and pray that the enemy will not appear. We are not fighting for anything. You, FRELIMO, are fighting to defend your country, Mozambique, -7- |
Archival file | Volume4/CENPA-033~09.tiff |