by Antonio Luis Sapienza.
Softcover (8.2×11.7 inches). 60 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: Counterinsurgency Operations Against the Communist Guerrilla in Brazil 1967-1974
Subtitle: Volume 2 Counterinsurgency and Legacy: The Struggle for Control in Araguaia
The Communist guerrilla group Forca de Guerrilha de Araguaia (FOGUERA) never became very large: 85 at its peak. Yet it took the Brazilian Army more than a few years to squash the group using a mixture of military intel, a goodly number of troops, and a bit of bribery.
After initial flops, the Army bribed the locals to locate the leaders or small groups. The Army then moved in with its own small groups led by local guides and attacked from air and ground. Any captured guerrillas were executed. It was brutal, but effective.
Each loss hurt FOGUERA and dissuaded locals from joining. Ultimately, only one escaped: Michaes Gomes de Almeida (p28), who was found living under an assumed name in 1996. By then, national amnesties forgave remaining guerrillas and Army personnel of all crimes.
The booklet contains 165 black and white photos, 16 color photos, two black and white illustrations, three color maps, one color illustration, three vehicle color camouflage profiles, 10 aircraft color camouflage profiles, and five helicopter color camouflage profiles.
Enjoyed it.
–Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
