Mutiny threat
"That afternoon we started to rebel, saying that we had to go back. But
tht commander said that we could not return until we had entered the enemy
base. So we talked to the chiefs of sections, who talked to the chiefs
of platoons, who in turn addressed the commander of the company. The chiefs
of platoons were very confused and did not know what to do. Eventually, we
threatened to mutiny unless we vent back to the post.  By this time it was
raining very heavily. The commander had no  alternative but to allow us to
return to Nambude, The next day the commander of the battallion flew out
from Mocimboa da Praia to look for us near where thu FRELIMO base was supposed to be. He did not see us because we were well on our way back to
Nambude 9
"He was furious and came to Nambude intent on taking di
against the company commander for not accomplishing his
the latter explained that the troops had threatened to
they could not last out any longer without food. So we
out on parade and addressed by the battallion commander
Angola four independent companies went eight days with
order to enter an enemy base, but they succeeded. What
There was no answer. Anyway, I am sure he was lying,
sible to bo eight days under fire without food*"
sciplinary action
mission. However,
shoot him because
were all ordered
He said that in
only three meals in
about you? he said.
It is humanly impos-
After this incident Fernando's company stayed in the post until 4 March,
when a football tournament for all the teams in thv. post had been planned.
But at 5»15 a.m. FRELIMO attacked the post.  "At the side of the post where
FRELIMO entered there had been only four sentries on duty and heavy rain
was falling. I had finished my reentry duty at 5*00 a.m. and was already in
bed* I had only taken off my boots because at 7»00 a.m. we took our coffee,
I had been in bed only a few minutes when I heard tho cannons and mortars.
I went outside the barracks, saw there was neavy fighting, and went back
inside again. Suddenly, a mortar hit the roof and destroyed it. I saw
that there were already many FRELIMO soldiers inside the post, so I went
and lay on my bed and put the mattress over me. Then another shell exploded, this time inside the barrack room. I was lucky. I didn't die
because I was protected by. the mattress. Shortly afterwards, FRELIMO soldiers entered the barrackroom and caught me."
Want to go home
When questioned about the general attitude of Portuguese soldiers, Fernando
replied:  "They cannot fight with courage. What are they defending here?
We fight because %e  are  forced to. Where I was, for example, all that we
longed for was that we would never find the enemy* All we wanted was to
-9-