Haile Mariam Mammo was born in 1904 in the village of Ya-Ya Quecama, Selale district, Shewa, Ethiopia.
[2] Historian Salome Gebre Egziabher later said that by executing this attack, Haile Mariam had made himself "the first Patriot of Shewa".
General Ruggero Tracchia, commander of the Debre Berhan garrison, resorted to calling in reinforcements from surrounding areas to combat the resistance.
Haile Mariam's men killed several hundred Italians and seized a substantial number of arms in several engagements.
[2] In June 1938 Italian forces encircled Ankober and the surrounding highlands in an attempt to pacify resistance in the region.
Haile Mariam was the only Patriot leader who decided to try and effect a breakout and with 500 men he assaulted the Italians in a futile attempt to breach their cordon.