Strela Special Forces , Flechas ( port Flechas ) is a special unit of the Portuguese Political Police ( PIDE ), which was created by Portugal in its colonies to combat the partisan-rebel anti-colonial movement during the Portuguese Colonial War .
Content
Creation History
Portugal was the last European country to retain extensive colonies until the mid-70s of the XX century, but even in these territories an anti-colonial partisan movement begins, actively supported by the USSR and Cuba . To counter guerrillas on the territory of the colonies (in Angola and Mozambique ) in the 1960s, special counter-insurgent units (Tropas de intervenção - “Tropas de intervenção”) were organized in each military district , which mainly recruited hunters and trackers (including local black residents), well familiar with the area, and regular military personnel who have served in the army for at least six months. For large-scale special operations, there were also commando units of central command and paratroopers . In the early 1970s, for a more effective fight against the rebels, the PIDE sub-inspector (renamed DGS in 1969), Oscar Cardozo, formed the special unit “Strela”. Unlike other units, Strel's mission included introducing partisan units, opening up the underground, destroying the leadership of the liberation movement, delivering targeted strikes , and working with agents . In 1974, the so-called The “ Carnation Revolution " carried out a bloodless coup, as a result of which the colonial war was stopped, the Portuguese troops were withdrawn, and the "Arrows" were disbanded by General Kaulza di Arriaga . The experience of the Strela special forces in the fight against partisans was subsequently used by the battle Malays Scouts of the SAS service of Great Britain and the 32nd battalion of the South African special forces Buffalo , which included many former Portuguese special forces.
Composition, equipment and weapons
The special unit was divided into groups of about 30 people, which included special agents of PIDE itself, the most experienced commandos and recruited black rebels who showed their loyalty. The Strel’s uniforms and armaments were similar to those of the Portuguese army, the only difference was the uniform berets of camouflage colors. Often, "Arrows" used trophy weapons , as well as bows and spears.
Links
Literature
- Brig. Michael Calvert Counter - Insurgency in Mozambique, Journal of the Royal United Services Institute, no 118, March 1973