"Conqueror of His Own Defeat" — Review of "Che Guevara — The Bolivian Diary"

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Author: Jan Wyka. Source: Twórczość, no. 7–8, 1970. Date of publication: 1970.

Partisan warfare in its many forms has belonged for years to the basic arsenal of revolutionary struggle — ever since humanity began to record its history. It opposes power that has been imposed, whether foreign or domestic, sufficiently armed and equipped for the overriding work of oppression and exploitation. It stands on the side of the oppressed. It is born of them. It is the expression of their revolt, their resistance, and their hope. Since the disproportion in arms, training, and supply between the rulers and the insurgents is enormous, a good partisan strategist strikes at the periphery of the governing centres — at the weakest positions — applying a considered tactic of harassment and sabotage, generally avoiding pitched battle. In historical perspective partisan warfare has suffered an immense number of defeats, and only isolated victories. Nevertheless it proves, in the final reckoning, to be on many occasions an indispensable strategy — the only available one — including in this summation the inevitable risk.

Jan-Wyka on kapuscinski.info

"Conqueror of His Own Defeat" — Review of "Che Guevara — The Bolivian Diary"