Cuban veterans recall how workers, children joined fight to repel Bay of Pigs invasion

[Judi Lynn]

Cuban veterans recall how workers, children joined fight to repel Bay of Pigs invasion
ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press
5:26 p.m. EDT, April 14, 2011

HAVANA (AP) — Rafael Soldevilla Quesada was on guard duty at Fidel Castro's house when a defense ministry official rushed in with the news: A 1,200-strong invasion force of U.S.-backed exiles had landed at Playa Giron, as the Bay of Pigs is known in Cuba.

The attack was not much of a surprise, Soldevilla recalled 50 years later. Castro himself had warned that a recent bombing raid by planes painted to look like they were part of the Cuban air force was a prelude to invasion. They both rushed, along with others, to defend Giron.

"Fidel said 'What fools they are!'" Soldevilla said. "We knew they were coming."

Faced with a bold challenge to its very existence, Castro's young government sent a hastily mustered defense force that included many who weren't even soldiers. In interviews with The Associated Press, Cubans who fought in the brief battle say that fact was both the key to victory, and the reason Giron still inspires deep pride among many on the island.

More:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-cb-cuba-bay-of-pigs-anniversary,0,3363440.story