Book Report: “Alcora” by Vicente de Paiva Brandão

Author: Vicente de Paiva Brandão
Publisher: Casa das Letras
Publication Year:
Number of Pages:

Introduction
"Alcora" is a fascinating work by Vicente de Paiva Brandão that delves into a complex and often overlooked chapter of Portuguese colonial history, particularly in Southern Africa. This book is a detailed and revealing account of the secret military alliance between Portugal, apartheid South Africa, and white-minority-ruled Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), known as the "Alcora Exercise."

The work explores the desperate final attempts by these regimes to maintain their colonial territories during a time of significant geopolitical and social change, while facing increasing pressure from liberation movements and the international community.

Historical Context
To understand the significance of the Alcora Exercise, it is essential to place it within the broader context of the last decades of Portuguese colonialism and the upheavals that swept through Southern Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. Under the authoritarian regimes of Salazar and later Marcelo Caetano, Portugal was engaged in independence wars in several of its African colonies, including Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. These conflicts, collectively known as the Portuguese Colonial War, strained the country’s resources and morale.

At the same time, Rhodesia and South Africa were grappling with their own internal crises. In 1965, Rhodesia, under Ian Smith, unilaterally declared independence from Britain, refusing to transfer power to the black majority. South Africa, meanwhile, was deeply involved in enforcing apartheid, a racial segregation system that increasingly isolated it from the rest of the world. Both regimes found themselves surrounded by newly independent African nations, often aligned with socialist movements and supported by the Soviet Union and China.

Against this backdrop, the Alcora Exercise was formed as a joint resistance effort, enabling these regimes to coordinate military and intelligence efforts to combat nationalist and communist forces threatening the region's stability. Although kept secret at the time, the alliance played a crucial role in sustaining colonial efforts and resisting the spread of communism in Southern Africa.

Content Summary
Vicente de Paiva Brandão’s book is a meticulously researched historical investigation, aiming to uncover the hidden workings of the Alcora Exercise, an alliance that remained shrouded in mystery and secrecy for many years. The author examines the creation, development, and impact of this alliance, providing readers with a unique insight into the political and military strategies adopted by Portugal, Rhodesia, and South Africa during the critical period of decolonization.

Formation of the Alcora Exercise
The "Alcora Exercise" was formally established in 1970, but its origins can be traced back to the 1960s when initial contacts between these regimes were made. The book reveals how the leaders of these countries realized that, individually, they would struggle to withstand the internal and external pressures threatening their survival. The alliance was seen as a way to pool resources, share intelligence, and coordinate military actions more effectively. Brandão highlights the initial negotiations and challenges faced in forming this alliance, including ideological differences and mutual distrust that needed to be overcome.

Joint Strategies and Operations
One of the book’s strengths is its detailed analysis of the joint operations conducted under the Alcora Exercise umbrella. The book documents various forms of military cooperation, from joint troop training to intelligence operations and sabotage missions against liberation movements. The author presents concrete examples of missions carried out, discusses the logistics behind these operations, and offers insights into their effectiveness. The collaboration extended beyond the battlefield, encompassing logistical support, technology exchanges, and strategies to counter international propaganda against the regimes.

Impact on the Colonies and International Consequences
The book also addresses the impact of the Alcora Exercise on the African colonies under Portuguese control, as well as on Rhodesia and South Africa. Brandão argues that while the alliance allowed the colonial wars to continue for a few more years, it ultimately could not alter the inevitable course of events. The military, economic, and moral exhaustion of the colonial regimes was exacerbated by growing internal resistance and international pressure.

Additionally, the author explores the diplomatic repercussions of the Alcora Exercise, including reactions from Western powers and the Soviet bloc. The alliance was viewed as a desperate attempt to preserve colonialism and white supremacy in an era when decolonization and the end of racial segregation were becoming unstoppable global trends. When revelations about Alcora surfaced, they contributed to the international isolation of these regimes and hastened their collapse.

Critical Analysis
Vicente de Paiva Brandão does an outstanding job of shedding light on the details of the Alcora Exercise, an alliance that, until recently, remained obscure to most historians. His meticulous research and critical analysis provide a deep understanding of the dynamics that shaped Portuguese colonial policy and Southern African history in the 20th century.

The author not only documents historical events but also examines the motivations and dilemmas faced by the leaders involved in the alliance. Brandão questions the ethics and viability of the strategies adopted by the colonial regimes and explores the long-term consequences of their actions. The book is particularly valuable for those interested in understanding how political and military decisions can influence the course of history, often with unforeseen and lasting consequences.

However, the book may be challenging for readers without prior knowledge of the historical context or military aspects. The wealth of detail and technical terminology used may make it dense at times.

Despite this, the narrative is well-structured, and the author manages to maintain the reader’s interest by combining historical facts with critical analysis and reflections on the implications of the events described.

Conclusion
"Alcora" by Vicente de Paiva Brandão is an essential work for anyone seeking to understand the final attempts of the Portuguese regime to maintain its colonial empire in Africa during a time of rapid global transformations. Through rigorous research and an engaging narrative, Brandão offers a window into a world of political intrigue, secret military operations, and unlikely alliances.

The book not only enriches our historical understanding of the end of colonialism in Africa but also raises pertinent questions about the nature of power, resistance, and collaboration between authoritarian regimes. It is a must-read for historians, scholars, and anyone interested in the complex processes that led to the dismantling of the last European colonial empire in Africa.

In summary, "Alcora" is a powerful testament to the struggles and compromises of the last days of colonialism, offering a rich and informed perspective on a crucial period of modern history.