Chapter 53: Chapter 52: Christmas Celebration of the Cuban President and General

Somewhere in Holguin, Cuba

“Merry Christmas Mr. President.”

“Merry Christmas General Gomez.”

“Cheers”

“Cheers”

The two men are drinking alone inside the Cuban revolutionary military headquarters. Both their families are sent abroad to the United States of America before the Cuban revolutionaries launched the revolution so the two of them had no family to celebrate with during Christmas. The men under their command are either sent home or garrisoned in important locations under their control.

Both are feeling lonely and sad that they were celebrating Christmas away from their loved ones that sometimes they regret starting such an uprising. But they will always tell themselves that this would be for a greater cause.

“Mr. President, technically it is still not Christmas, we have a few hours before midnight.”

“Save me from the technicalities and what-not General. This day would be the day that both sides would have a proper rest and peace of mind.”

Both of them are drinking beers imported from Europe. These are from the spoils of war that they were able to capture from the Spanish garrisons. During the start of the revolution, there are shortages of supplies and goods flowing from abroad into the country. Even basic necessities like food, items of clothing, and many more are scarce in the Cuban market. As a result, the price has skyrocketed and people are having a hard time.

“Do you miss the peaceful days, President?”

“Yes, of course. There is no such person who is wishing for war and chaos General. Even those who are pro-war and arms dealers would not want conflict near their homes. They can only dare to support war if it is far and would not affect them that much.”

“Then Mr. President… Do you regret starting the revolution?”

President Gonzalo is unable to answer the question General Gomez just asked. He is rendered speechless because he can’t just say thoughtlessly whether he regrets it or not. General Gomez knows that the question that he had just asked is a very hard one to answer.

Both of them don’t war and both of them know it, but it is due to a lot of circumstances that led to this situation. Their hearts are still longing that peace and victory would arrive soon to end this horrifying hell that their countrymen are facing.

They believed that it is better to be their generation who will sacrifice and fight for independence rather than to leave this problem for their children’s or grandchildren’s generation.

“Whether I regret it or not is not important anymore. We are already in this shitty situation. We must win if we want to survive.”

“Hahaha… you’re right Mr. President. We can only carry on and fight against our enemies to survive.”

Both of them then drink their beers and look out of the windows. The night sky looks very beautiful and peaceful that you can just watch it for hours. The fighting for months had desensitized their hearts and they already longed for peace.

The Cuban revolutionaries might even have collapsed already if they didn’t win some of the important battles. It is the only reason why the men still fought for this cause even if there are already a lot of sacrifices.

“By the way Mr. President, how prepared are we for next year?”

“We have already done our best preparation. We can only hope that the Spanish would bleed enough for them to withdraw from our lands or some foreign intervention to aid our cause.”

For the Cubans, these are the only realistic option they can have. They can’t compete for real against the Kingdom of Spain in large-scale battles, logistics, and organizations. The Kingdom of Spain can overwhelm their revolution if it gathers the entire power of the Kingdom to fight against the Cubans.

“Next year, the Mexican and the German expeditionary forces would be ready to fight. The reinforcements from Spain and its colonies would also be used to the Cuban weather and environment next year, we would be facing a larger and powerful opponent next year.”

General Gomez statement had made President Gonzalo unable to respond. It is the truth that next year would be a whole different war for the Cubans. They would face not only the Spanish army but also troops sent from the Kingdom of Mexico and the German Empire.

There would not be much difference facing the Mexican army from the Spanish army but it would be different if the German army is directly involved. The German army is known for being one of the best armies in the world and they were armed with the best weapons and support that any army could want. This would be a disaster for the Cuban revolution to face such an enemy that is considered one of the best.

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The men from the Mexican army could not also be underestimated for Mexico is much nearer than mainland Spain and Germany. Having an enemy close to Cuba would be detrimental to supplies and weapon logistics that are already constricted by the Spanish navy. If the Mexican navy would also join more actively in the blockade then help from the outside world rapidly diminished. The Cuban revolutionaries can’t create weapons and arms domestically as the materials and expertise needed in scarce. Most of the weapons the Cuban revolutionaries have are from smuggled lines and defeated Spanish forces and logistics.

There is nothing they could do but try their best to hold their lines and position from then on. They can only make the enemies bleed more that they would think that it won’t be worth it anymore to continue such a fight.

“That’s why General Gomez we must succeed in our offensive on New Year’s eve. That’s the only way we can buy more time and space.”

“We are going to break a taboo Mr. President. Are we really going to do that Mr. President? The repercussions and consequences would be grave to our troops.”

“There is no other way. We must defeat and destroy the enemy as much as possible.”

General Gomez expression is grave and even shows disgust at launching a war during an important day. Most Cubans are very religious and launching an offensive during the New Year would be seen as cowardly and atrocious. The General knows that launching an attack on that day would be the best and the enemy would be unsuspecting and surprised but deep in his heart, he can’t accept doing such an attack.

President Gonzalo also knows this, but there is no other way to inflict large damage on the Spanish troops. They must gain much land and victory before this year ends to give the troops much morale and hope that they could win. The prospect of a surprise attack on the Spanish would also be an underlying factor of the merit of such an attack.

“How many men knew this plan, Mr. President?”

“Only a few of the Generals and officers including General Diaz. He also agrees with the plan and would fully support the operation.”

“You know he is a psychopath and wants to escalate the conflict, Mr. President.”

“I know… But I’m willing to hold hands with the devil if it needs to be to win this war.”

General Gomez can only close his eyes and not speak more of his thoughts. Even if he would fully oppose such a plan, the President would still launch the attack against the Spanish troops on New Year’s eve. He can only acquiesce to the operation and make sure to inflict large casualties on the enemy, to make sure that everything would be on order and make it worth it. He knows that the President is gambling everything into this operation and he can only ride and steer it to the best end.

“I know you are having doubts and questions about this operation General Gomez. But the men need you to lead them. I will also be part of planning this operation so that it would work. The Cabinet won’t know that I would be there so please help us, General Gomez.”

General Gomez knows that President Gonzalo is a better commander than a politician and with him in the operation would help the revolutionaries in planning, organization, and operation. He can still remember how flawless the ambush in Holguin was and the entire start of the revolution under his leadership.

Even the radical faction and General Diaz acknowledge this. The General drinks the remaining beer in his mug and looks at the massive map on the huge table near them. The blue flags and red flags across the map that is representing the Cuban forces and the enemy forces are on the map.

“How many men are part of the attack?”

“About 17,000 men against 11 target locations. Some more men would be added as the day of the attack gets nearer.”

“Can we add another target, Mr. President?”

“What would it be General Gomez?”

“Nuevitas…”

“That is garrisoned by more than a thousand Spanish troops General.”

“Just give me a thousand men Mr. President. I would personally lead the men.”

President Gonzalo can only nod to the request of General Gomez. He doesn’t know what is the reason that General Gomez wants to capture that city but it would be significant as it has a huge harbor and port that can be used. There are also some small Spanish warships docked there.

“I believe in you General Gomez.”

“You won’t regret it Mr. President.”

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