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Interrogation of suspect (see also Print 38). Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez's rebel troop unit on the march above El Cobre. They come under fire from medium mortar, apparently fired by government unit stationed downhill near El Cobre: phosphorus shells ignite savannah and patrol dashes for cover.

These frames show a small-unit, fast-moving rebel attack on El Cobre. Frames 4-13: Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez sights target down in valley at nightfall. Note white towers of El Cobre sanctuary, famous Cuban landmark, visible in distance. Frames 14-15 show rebel soldiers hastily requisitioning supplies in tiny Chinese grocery on El Cobre's outskirts. Rest of frames show Ramirez's patrol attacking and burning attack target: army supply dump outside El Cobre.

These frames show a small-unit, fast-moving rebel attack on El Cobre (see also Print 42.) Frames 11-23 show Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez planning night attack and scanning El Cobre valley from overlooking hilltop. Frames 6-16: rebel unit prepares for attack. Rest of frames are night shots of attack target - army supply huts outside El Cobre burning after rebel strike.

These frames show a small-unit, fast-moving rebel attack on El Cobre. This is Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez's platoon.

Capt. Rigoberto Ramirez's rebel troop on march above Puerto Boniato. Capt. Ramirez shown in frames 28-29. Note that sound of approaching vehicle brings rebels into ambush positions shown on frames 30-37 (vehicle turned out to be captured rebel jeep.)

These photos, shot in early fall of 1958, document decisive rebel military breakthrough in its initial stage: all around the Sierra Maestra range government forces are withdrawing, evacuating small, hard-to-defend outposts and minor towns. This sheet shows the taking of a small town, Las Minas de Bueycito, by forces from Cdte. Fidel Castro's own Columna Nr. Uno: it was a momentous event, for it was the first real town occupied (if only for twenty-four hours) by this column. Cdte. Humberto Sorí Marin, rebel's Judge Advocate General and the commander who led this particular advance, is shown on horseback on Frame 24. Capt. Mario Vasquez, another senior troop leader, is shown on frame 30. Woman - the local pharmacist - detained for questioning on charges that she was a government informer (not an implausible idea, for this town had just been evacuated after long occupation by a government battaillon) shown in frames 5-9.

This sheet shows rebel entry into Las Minas de Bueycito, first town to be seized and held for twenty-four hours by troops of Cdte. Castro's own Columna Nro. Uno (see also Print 46.) Fidel Castro is shown on frames 19-20: this was a historical occasion, for he had entered Las Minas at nightfall on horseback, and is shown here in local general store back room (a store belonging to the pro-rebel Abich family repeatedly mentioned by Che Guevera) talking to town leaders. However, since everyone was terrified of appearing in any sort of published photographic account of this event - that is, a published account that would document collaboration or sympathy with the rebels after the army troops had returned in strength a few days later, an event anticipated by all - picture taking was limited that night. It was restricted to some shots of Paco Cabrera, one of Columna Uno's senior troop leaders, drinking beer (frame 6); other men from the column having a bang-up dinner; a shot of Fidel's faithful cook (frame 21); and shots of rebels withdrawing early next morning (frames 21-28).

This sheet shows the headquarters unit of Fidel Castro's Columna Uno operating just outside Las Minas de Bueycito (see also Print 47.) Frame 13 et seq.: Fidel's mayordomo-cook, Emilio Moran. Frames 26-37 show significant event: influx of recruits from surrounding areas. With government forces showing unmistakable signs of weakness, rebel recruiting rose rapidly. These recruits had already undergone some staging and selection at a rebel induction station; they are here on their way for combat training at one of the several such facilities acquired by guerrilla forces by early fall of 1958. Frames 23-25 show rebel recruits with a cherished (presumably captured) military pistol. Photographer (St. George) is shown on frame 16.

Frames 15-29 show Fidel giving TV sound interview to CBC cameraman Erik Durschmied. Frames 11-13 show the headquarters dentist at La Plata station, Dr. Enrique Borges, working on teeth of Celia Sanchez. Other frames show two rebel personalities: Capt. Mario Hidalgo (frames 6-8) and young United States recruit to rebel forces, name unknown (frames 3-5.) See also Prints 33 and 34.

These are "advance rebel positions" photos: they illustrate the guerrillas' new-found comfort and plenty in the "llano" (cf. frames 6-21: veteran guerrilla Lt. Paco Verdecia drinking malta in a small bodega) and their new level of technical competence: frames 17-36 show RR12 monitoring station manned by Maria-Luisa Sabas and Joaquin Villarcel. See also Print 3.