Victory at Santa Clara
By the end of 1958, the revolution was in fantastic shape. However, the fear of American intervention was always strong. Che knew that it was essential to strike quickly before America could have the opportunity to respond to the revolution. Che saw a victory at Santa Clara as the crippling blow to Havana. Fidel's fight in the eastern portion of the island at Santiago would not have the effect that a victory at Santa Clara could have on Batista. Therefore, Che saw his success as the victory that would determine the fate of Cuba and the revolution. While a guerrilla fighter at heart, Che chose instead to look to classic military strategy. Instead of performing typical guerrilla warfare, Che chose to sever all ties Santa Clara had to the outside world through railroads and roads, especially to Havana, Cienfuegos, and Caibarién. His forces would take all the small towns surrounding Santa Clara, such as Fomento, Placetas, and Manicaragua in order to create a stranglehold around the city. His forces would then have Santa Clara surrounded. Castro saw it as essential that Che take Santa Clara so that it would be his forces that would have a clear route to Havana, and not those of other revolutionary movements. Che commenced the attack on December 29th, and with the destruction of rail lines, a train carrying Batista's last hope to hold on to power flew off the tracks. With the destruction of the train, Che had Santa Clara in his grips. Pictured here is the famous train laying on its side.
image: (Dosal 157)
info: (Dosal 155-160)
image: (Dosal 157)
info: (Dosal 155-160)