GRANMA.— Rarely in war, where death is lurking and danger is constant, are there people who charge into battle with the same ease and confidence as during times of calm, with the capability of joking even under the whistle of bullets.

Camilo was one such singular and amazing man, always good natured and humorous, unshakeable and courageous even at the most critical times.

And so he is remembered in the plains of Cauto, because according to many people there, it was that mix of virtues which made him successful in the risky mission that Fidel entrusted him with on March 31, 1958.

Never before had a rebel group come down from the Sierra to the plains, to operate in this way, with the order from the Commander-in-Chief being to open a war front in the plains near Bayamo, with forays into the city as well to coordinate actions across the region between Manzanillo, Las Tunas and la Ciudad Monumento, with the purpose of uniting the various insurgent formations in the area, including the clandestine July 26 Movement.

To meet such an objective required an extremely brave leader with a sharp understanding of guerrilla warfare, able to adapt it to urban complexities and dangerous maneuvers through a sparsely populated region.

Camilo was this man, who led just 13 experienced fighters (Osvaldo Herrera, Orestes War Walfrido Pérez, Rodolfo Vázquez, Alejandro Oñate, Ramón López, Delfín Moreno, Agustín Benítez, Ramón Pérez, Santiago Rosales, Samuel Pardo, Cristino Naranjo and Walfrido Lara), down from the mountains to challenge the presence of the very well-armed government forces.

Already established as the Command Post of Batista's army in the Operational Zone against the Sierra Maestra, Bayamo was a fortified city dominated by 2,500 well-equipped troops, also serving as headquarters of the 13th squadron of the Rural Guard based at the Carlos Manuel Cespedes barracks and supported by several military posts in different locations from Bueycito and Guisa down to the Cauto River and Jiguaní.

Bayamo was precisely the first demonstration of daring on his part. The rebels entered the city on April 20, following a journey full of risks, with none the less resulted in many new brave men joining them.

The objective of their attack was to burn down a mobile power generating plant, located on the railway track near the city center, and then, in coordination with the men in hiding, sabotage the huge Nestle factory and storm the police station and petrol station on the road out towards Holguin.

Four days before the attack and in full readiness, Camilo was promoted by Fidel to the rank of Commander of the Rebel Army; an unequivocal recognition of his outstanding qualities as a military commander, his extraordinary courage and proven loyalty, confirmed in the letter of reply he sent back a week later to Command Headquarters stating that, "... It would be easier for me to stop breathing than to stop being faithful to your trust".

Shortly after midnight on April 20, the confrontation shook the city, mainly due to the striking courage of having come to provoke the beast in its own lair.

The plan could not be carried out because the shots would not penetrate the fuel tanks of the generator plant and so there was no fire, in addition to the inability to seize weapons because the area was so lit up and open, as Camilo frankly explained in a report sent to the leader of the Revolution.

However, the bold action provoked the death and wounding of 18 soldiers, while the revolutionary group lost Lieutenant Amado Estévez Bou.

Of the plan that had been laid out, this was the only assault possible, but it was not Camilo’s only foray into the city. The following May 22, he returned to try and attack a patrol route; but the circumstances once interned in the city forced an immediate retreat further complicated by the sudden rise of the river and a forced escape through alleyways.

Camilo made his presence known in different parts of the city, providing ample proof of his bravery even in the face of the numerical disadvantage and the lack of weaponry.

Several battles were fought in these flat areas, but none so bloody as May 4 in La Estrella, when just over 400 Batista troops attacked Camilo’s camp and sustained heavy fire for several hours, culminating in their withdrawal as they lacked the courage and the drive needed for a final onslaught.

Amidst this turbulent guerrilla struggle, Camilo, who was heavily influenced by the doctrines of Marti, could not overlook a detail of great significance; despite the risks involved, he traveled to the exact site of Marti’s death in combat, arriving on June 13, 1958, to pay tribute "with flowers and a flag".

Five days later, he returned to the mountains, following a call from Fidel. The defense of the mountain range before the imminent start of the well known Final Offensive required his assistance; but in the plains he had already left his mark, planted in the affection of the people towards him.