The Bay of Pigs Disaster As a group of rebels, trained by the United States, set up a stronghold on the beach, Cuban military forces began to pummel the ill-prepared invaders. In the early morning hours of April 17, 1961, Cuban rebels landed on the beaches of Cuba in an attempt to capture the island and overthrow Fidel Castro. Many events led to the disastrous outcome of this failed attempt. The United States government trained and supplied these rebels in an attempt to diminish communism in the western hemisphere. Few U.S. government organizations were involved in the attack because the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) believed that the fewer people involved, the easier it will be to hide. With the involvement of President Kennedy, this became a very controversial event that led to further crises down the road. This failed attack strengthened Castro's hold on Cuba with no sign of easement in the future.
Fidel Castro becomes the leader of Cuba as a resul...
U.S. reconnaissance photograph of soviet missile s...
2011-30-80 Medal, Soviet Union, Combat Service, Ob...Though the U.S. is not proud of this failed attempt to destroy communism, it is a part of U.S. history.
Late Sunday evening, a day before the invasion, U.S. frogmen landed on the beaches of Cuba. These men set up landing lights for the invading ships to follow (Basgen). A few hours later, the invasion was on. The first enemy they encountered were coral reefs. Ships had to maneuver around the treacherous reefs hiding underneath the water. Two ships were lost within 80 yards from the shore (Wyden 223). Though the men were rescued, a lot of heavy munitions and artillery was lost. After landing on the beach, the armed militants were to head northwest and secure a beachhead to initiate a provisional government. Shortly after the invasion began, ""æa civilian member of the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution spot[ted] the U.S. warships"æyards off the...