By MARY LOUISE WILKINSON

Fidel Castro has launched a campaign to clear the Escambray Mountains of roving bands of guerrillas, two newly arrive refugees said here today.

The main target of his helicopters, tanks and cannon is woman known as "La Nina de Yaguajay" who commands over 100 men, said the refugees who fled Sunday from Las Villa Province in a small boat.

"La Nina has been fighting almost three years," said one of the refugees - a wiry "campesino" of 28 who spent mine months fighting in the hills.

"But neither she nor any of the others have any hope left any more. There's no ammunition, no arms, no food."

Both refugees asked their names be withheld to protect families still in Cuba.

"La Nina de Yaguajay" is in her late 20s and began fighting in the hills after her husband and four brothers were executed by Castro, exile groups said here.

"The guerrillas haven't been able to pull off any sabotage or anything except small skirmishes in over a year," said the refugees.

"They have been holding out desperately trying to hang on until help from the outside came. Now it's useless."

With the Castro might trained on the Escambray area, guerrilla fighters are retreating into the mountains or trying to escape the island, the men said.

"From inside now, it's impossible. Maybe we can return from here once we've gathered supplies."