Historical Organization
Column 8 Ciro Redondo
Column 8 Ciro Redondo
Details
Organization Timeline
Che Guevara receives orders to invade Las Villas
đź“… 21 August 1958The order assigned Column 8 to carry the war from the Sierra Maestra into central Cuba and coordinate revolutionary forces there.
Column 8 receives a national strategic mission
📅 21 August 1958Che Guevara was instructed to cross Cuba, unite forces in Las Villas and disrupt the island’s main transport routes.
Rebel columns begin the westward campaign
đź“… 31 August 1958The columns of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos moved across difficult terrain while pursued by government forces.
Che Guevara reaches the Escambray
đź“… 16 October 1958Column 8 arrived in central Cuba and began coordinating with other anti-Batista forces despite political differences.
Las Villas offensive cuts roads and railways
đź“… 10 December 1958Rebel units attacked transport connections and isolated garrisons, preventing government reinforcement of central Cuba.
Battle for Fomento begins
đź“… 15 December 1958Column 8 and allied forces surrounded the town and its garrison as part of the offensive toward Santa Clara.
Rebels capture Fomento
đź“… 18 December 1958After several days of fighting the garrison surrendered, widening rebel control in Las Villas.
Column 8 declares a liberated territory
đź“… 20 December 1958A military order identified sugar districts under rebel control and attempted to establish administration behind the advancing front.
Rebels take Placetas
đź“… 23 December 1958The capture of the strategic town further isolated Santa Clara and government forces in central Cuba.
Rebels capture Caibarién
📅 26 December 1958The port’s fall weakened government access to the north coast of Las Villas.
Rebels capture Remedios
đź“… 26 December 1958Revolutionary forces took the colonial town during the advance that converged on Santa Clara.
Battle of Santa Clara begins
📅 28 December 1958Forces under Che Guevara attacked strategic positions in Santa Clara, Cuba’s central transport hub.
Workers assist the attack on Santa Clara
📅 28 December 1958Local activists supplied intelligence, guides and support as rebel columns entered Cuba’s central city.
Rebels derail the armoured train
📅 29 December 1958Guevara’s fighters disabled and captured a train carrying troops and weapons, breaking a central pillar of Santa Clara’s defence.
Captured train weapons strengthen the rebels
đź“… 29 December 1958Arms and ammunition from the derailed armoured train were used against remaining government positions in Santa Clara.
Che Guevara enters Havana
📅 2 January 1959Guevara’s column entered the capital and took control of La Cabaña fortress.