What are The Duties of a Cabo? by Roy Watts
Cabo School Ebro Front, May 1938; Harry Randall: Fifteenth International Brigade Films and Photographs; ALBA PHOTO 011-1151 (D525); Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Elmer Holmes Bobst Library 70 Washington Square South New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.
The Volunteer for Liberty, V. 2, No. 31, September 5, 1938.
The cabo in the Spanish people’s army should realize that not only has he many responsibilities in connection with the whole life of the soldiers in his squad, but also that it is necessary to train himself in such a way as to become a fit and proficient officer of other rank in the event of any casualty.
During his duties as a co it is of first and prime importance that he should keep his own rifle and make sure that the arms of his men are in good order. He should be in a position to advise and instruct in the use and care of the squad’s arms so that in times of action the “team” will be of maximum use.
He should thoroughly acquaint himself and his men as to the methods of combat and defense. The squad should be able to adopt the formations most effective against tanks, cavalry, and avion, without the slightest hesitation. They should also be capable of speedily entrenching themselves, the cabo making sure that positions selected are good from the point both of attack and defense.
The cabo should acquaint himself with topography and should be able to quickly take over the responsibility of leading patrols. He should be in the position to be able to guide his men in the event of being cut off, by having a knowledge of direction and the terrain.
Finally, it is obvious that a cabo should at least be able to display confidence in the orders he gives and in himself. It would be best if politically he was able to appreciate the true position of the war and its effects, in order to classify many of the incidents that may have a weakening effect on the morale of the men. It is also necessary for the cabo himself to be a good soldier in order that he may maintain the respect of his men.
Watts, Roy. (Theodore); b. 1914, Worker in a Furniture Department at a Co-Op, YCL; Arrived in Spain February 14, 1938, Served with the XV BDE, Briefly with the Transmissions, then transferred to the Brigade Special MG Company; Transferred back to Transmissions; Killed in action September 22 or 23, 1938 Ebro Offensive, was sheltering in a foxhole with another volunteer by a direct hit from a bomb dropped by a Nationalist aircraft. From the International Brigades Memorial Trust data base.
