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I looked around and found that only few (eleven to be more precise) men were left from our group: Sergeants Pina, Chorondo and Jardim, Corporal Miguel, soldiers Capovila, Sabata, Cassanga and others that I no longer remember the names. While we had dilagramas (fragmentation grenades launched with the rifle using a blank shot) we kept the enemy at bay, but when we run out of them they started encircling us and trying to place us between them and the savannah. Fortunately for us the civilian population was following the guerrillas chanting words of encouragement and abuse to us and the sound of the chants gave us a clear indication of their position and intentions.

When I realised that our position was indefensible I suddenly remember that I had left my bag behind with my camera (a “very expensive” $30 camera ?!). Typical case of a mixed up brain. I ran towards the water holes and when I arrived there the enemy was already going through the bags and other equipment left behind by the troops, radio included. I entered the opening around the water holes spraying bullets left right and centre, grabbed my bag and ran towards the savannah. Obviously the surprise amongst the enemy was total and this most likely saved my life.

The Lomba River, not far from the Tossi

After recovering from the surprise, one of the guerrillas, probably the commander, started shouting to his men to stop shooting and try to catch me alive. As I ran into the open space they fired at me from the savannah. Well, people say that fear gives you wings and I was no exception. Because I did not have intentions to change sides, I had a machine gun in my hands and had no worries about using it, I made it back to my men with my precious camera.

In future clashes with this group we painfully learnt about their strategy .The enemy plan was to push us out of the protection of the jungle into the open plain and expose us to the fire of elements that beforehand they strategically placed out in the savannah waiting for us. Fortunately I understood very quickly what was happening  and ran back into the jungle.

With the enemy tentacle encircling us we decided that it would be much healthier if we got out. We moved fast but silently and the noise around us started to abate, a comfortable indication that we were moving in the right direction. From time to time we could hear the cheers of the enemy going through our bags (mine was firmly on my back... thank you).

Our group was moving through the jungle in a single file formation, senses working overtime and all the muscles tense as a bow and ready to spring at the first sign of trouble.

In the African jungle there is a tree that has the seeds enclosed in a pod similar to a broad bean but black and the elephants love it. When the pod is fully formed and dry it opens with a small explosion throwing the seeds to considerable distance. This is the mechanism nature uses to propagate the species.

Mata do Tossi - in the middle of the Tossi

with Chico Salazar

Back to our column of very “attentive” soldiers. Suddenly, in the silence of the jungle, we heard a “metallic sound” and in a flash we were all on the floor pointing the guns in all directions. Probably because we were almost out of ammunitions no one fired. We waited for a while but nothing happened until we heard again the “cracking” sound of the seed... and a nervous laughter broke the silence.

A bit later we spotted one of the GE's, Mussole, laying on the floor exhausted from running. He was so exhausted that he had given up. When he saw us he told that his rifle was hidden in a bush close by and asked us to take it.

The rifle is like a symbol of power and very precious to a soldier. To return to the barracks parading with guns captured from an enemy was the dream of every soldier. The reverse was unthinkable if not for any other reason at least because it pre-supposed that you had died.

 

A group of GE's carrying a grain storage hut.

Mussole is the one in the center

In Mussole's case the only thought in his delirious mind was his rifle being captured by the enemy. I remembered that I had in my bag an Alka Seltzer (effervescent indigestion pills). I got one, put in his mouth and told him that it was a remedy for exhaustion. As soon as the pill started frothing up in his mouth Mussole jumped as if he was hit by lightning, grabbed his rifle and disappeared in the direction of Mavinga. We never saw him again.

As the men started arriving one by one at Mavinga and told their version of the disaster, it did not paint a good picture about the chances of the absent ones being found alive. Fortunately Mussole arrived in Mavinga the next day with the news that we were alive. For my parents and Filomena it must have been a great relief.

After the celebration the enemy sent a group to look for us and they brought the dogs with them. We kept moving until the night fell and then moved out into the savannah. If they were going to approach us we would see them in the open. The noises of the celebration party and the barking of the dogs were a constant reminder of how close we were from trouble.

The nights in the savannah are very cold. Temperatures below zero are not uncommon and we, having lost our sleeping bags, shivered the night away. At least we could disguise the fear by blaming the cold for the trembling. During the night there was some enemy activity near us and we all woke up ( I doubt anyone was a sleep). The dogs must have found us and kept barking from the forest, not daring to come out into the open plains. The guerrillas were probably too drunk from the celebrations to even bother about us. I remember Capuvila - a 5 foot soldier from Nova Lisboa- grabbing my ankle and saying: “I am scared meu Alferes (lieutenant)”. The only think I could say to him was “I am scared too but we will get out of it... don't worry.” Was I kidding him or what?

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