Author: Mao Tse-Tung, Che Guevara with foreword and comments by Captain B. H. Liddell Hart and United States Marine Corps Brigadier-General Samuel B. Griffith and Major Harries-Clichy Peterson
Publisher: Cassell. London
SBN 304 93195 0

RHODESIANS knew beyond a shadow of doubt what was coming for them when the African revolutionaries fired their first shots marking the beginning of the Second Chimurenga.
One simply gains this knowledge after reading the book Mao Tse-tung and Che Guevara- Guerrilla Warfare a translation and commentary of the works of Tse-tung and Guevara by two high ranking military officers from the United States Marine Corps Brigadier-General Samuel B. Griffith and Major Harries-Clichy Peterson.
Never mind the news of the day, in the then Rhodesia, that went into overdrive describing the war that was starting as minor skirmishes by bands of disorganised terrorists, the Rhodies’ military brass knew that their time was up.
They knew because this book they obviously read, it had a wide circulation in the then Rhodesia.
The news that guerrilla infiltrations into the country were minor skirmishes was just bravado.
“I hope that by reading this translation of Guevara, grasping his thinking and recognising the grave danger posed, all readers will be better prepared to help meet the challenge paused by guerrilla warfare,” wrote Major Peterson.
“I would caution the military reader never to view these guerrillas as mere harrassers of the rear against whom to defend oneself, presumably while some other battle is going on.
“Guevara’s techniques are intended for the takeover of politically unstable countries.”
Brigadier-General Griffith weighed in emphasising the seriousness of guerrilla warfare putting a chill in the spines of the Rhodies who thought by describing the guerrillas as a rag-tag outfit would ward off the onslaught that eventually enveloped the whole country.
“Neither he (Guevara) or Mao wrote their books for the benefit of the democracies they seek to undermine, they are manuals of the Communist strategy and tactics of guerrilla and political warfare, written by revolutionaries for revolutionaries,” emphasised Brig-General Griffith.
“Mao Tse-tung farseeing epistle was first produced in China in 1937; since the Second World War we have had numerous and successful examples of the strategy and tactics he advocated, not only in China, but in many other Asian countries, in Africa.”
Writing this review in an independent free Zimbabwe, one can only say that the gentlemen were spot on on their analysis.
“Guerrilla war is not dependent for success on the efficient operation of complex mechanical devices, highly organised logistical systems or the accuracy of electronic computers,” stated Brig-General Griffith.
“It can be conducted in any terrain, in any climate, in any weather, in swamps, in mountains, in farmed fields.
“Its basic element is man and man is more complex than any of his machines.
“He is endowed with intelligence, emotions and will.
“Guerrilla leaders spend a great deal more time in organisation for their most important job is to win over the people.
“We must patiently explain, says Mao Tse-tung. ‘Explain’,’pursuade’, ‘discuss’, convince’.
“Guerrilla war can only operate effectively and attain its end, when collectively backed by the sympathy of the masses.
“It tends to be most effective if it blends an appeal to social and economic discontent, thus becoming revolutionary in a wider sense.”
The book obviously gave Rhodesians sleepless nights as the two American solders did not hold back and were as candid as one can be when faced by an irrefutable truth.
“Why does the guerrilla fight? He is a social reformer,” observed the military men.
“He takes up arms in response to widespread popular protest against an oppressor, impetuously hurling himself with all his might against anything that symbolises the established order.
“The guerrilla must possess a highly developed knowledge of the terrain on which he operates avenues of access and escape, possibilities for rapid manouvre, popular support and hiding places.
“All this favours rural areas.
“Guerrilla warfare is a fight of the masses, with the guerrilla band as the armed nucleus.
“The bands need not be considered inferior to the opposing army. Rather, the contrary is true; one resorts to guerrilla warfare when oppressed by superior numbers and arms.”
The guerrillas before infiltrating the country in numbers first conscientised the masses, this was according to Mao Tse-tung the basis of guerrilla warfare.
“Mao has aptly compared guerrillas to fish and the people to the water in which they swim.
“If the political temperature is right, the fish, however few in number, will thrive and proliferate.
“It is therefore the principal concern of all guerrilla leaders to get the water to the right temperature and to keep it there.”
“In a guerrilla area, every person without exception must be considered an agent-old men and women, boys driving ox-carts, girls tending goats, farm labourers, storekeeper, schoolteachers, priests,” taught Mao.
This book, long after the end of the guerrilla war that brought independence, will excite and interest those who would want to understand the make-up of the guerrillas and the masses that supported them.