Abstract : The FLECHAS were a Paramilitary unit under the auspices of PIDE/DGS, (PIDE was renamed DGS in 1969). It’s generally believed that the unit was started with eight Bushmen in 1967 by Oscar Cardoso when he was an inspector with PIDE/DGS, what is not well known is that in 1965 Inspector Fragaso Allas who was based in Luso, Angola had in fact started the “FLECHA concept” by using local Bushmen as a small militia.
It was not until 1967 that the term FLECHA was used when Oscar Cardoso (PIDE/DGS inspector) who together with Manuel Pontes (Local administrator of Cuando Cubango Province) started the FLECHAS’s with a handful of Bushmen in 1967. This initial group were tasked to guard prisoners, be translators and act as guides for the army, Oscar initially made use of eight Bushmen for tracking, especially in the game reserves, as well as areas that were close to the Bushmen’s natural habitat. After a short period, he started to use the men to go out and gather information, the Bushmen where able to remain in the bush for extended periods of time without support or the need for resupply as they had a uncanny ability to forage for food and to find water, attributes that were seen as very useful by Oscar and PIDE.
Keywords : Fletchas, Angola, Guinea – Bissau, Mozambique, Oscar Cardoso, Fragaso Allas, Cuando Cubango, Commando Brigade, Alves Cardoso, Narcelo Caentano, Bushmen, Rhodesia, 32 Battalion, Hendrik van den Bergh, Bureau for State Security, General de Arriaga, Vila Perry, Beira, Portuguese, Ron Reid Daly, General Walls, Daniel Roxo, Frelimo, ZANLA, Salisbury, Ian Smith, Selous Scouts, Cahora Bassa, Renamo,
Author : Stephen Dunkley
Stephen Dunkley
