"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-