751G.551/5–3151: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Blancké) to the Secretary of State
690. Recontel 687, May 31.1 Minister, Harris,2 Freeman,3 Kotrla4 and Brady arrived Hanoi in Leg plane 8:15 a. m. today. I accompanied [Page 424] them on preliminary call at De Lattre residence. By appointment same group called on De Lattre personally 11:15 a. m., ushered in immediately after group of PriMin Huu, Governor Chi, and half dozen Vietnamese Ministers. Huu had made concurrent flight accompanying Aurillac, Gautier, Risterucci,5 Dannaud, et al.
De Lattre looked old and worn-out, spoke very low, almost in reverie, but very bitterly. Burden of bitterness was: What price all this sacrifice, if those obstensibly on our side refuse to believe in our sincerity? If this constant sacrificing of our youths’ flower does not prove us sincere in desire to give Vietnam independence, what further is necessary to drive idea home? Yet we are doubted on all sides. What is the use?
CINC made broken reference to his wife in twilight of her days: What cld she cling to now? For himself; What was there to live for? In other circumstances, in bona fide war, he wld have had consolation his son died hero death; but instead he had been offered up on behalf of an ungrateful people. De Lattre intimated he had said something of sort to Huu, whom he characterized personally as apparently loyal. (Huu had streaming eyes when he left residence.) De Lattre was especially bitter at Bishop and people of Phat-Diem: Former had recently directed scathing sermon at Huu, copy of which De Lattre had on desk; people of area had withheld any info re Viet-Minh movements leading up to what CINC termed “surprise attack” though Fr were definitely expecting trouble in area. Said when his son had taken contingent of non-coms and suppletifs through Phat-Diem area three days before, villagers had booed and hissed “vendus” (sold out) at Vietnamese soldiers.
CINC then brought up figures of Fr sacrifices, mentioning billion francs daily: France purely disinterested in defense of Vietnam. At this point gave credit to US also for disinterested aid; we had been generous and our help must continue. Min interposed he had hoped have talk soon on how cooperation might be improved, but said present was hardly moment shaping it up.
De Lattre then brought up Dalat massacres,6 disclaimed any Fr responsibility but regretted he had not been on hand, as damaging recriminations had been made which he cld patch up only afterwards. Was bitter at Prince Buu-Loc for promoting censure at Fr Union meeting. (Note: Only one Fr underling was at airport to meet Buu-Loc on arrival at Saigon several days ago.)
[Page 425]De Lattre leaves for France with body tomorrow morning 5:30 a. m., will spend only a few days consoling wife then return. Ceremony of Absolution today at 1800 hours will be attended only by Min, Harris and I, as limited attendance requested. After ceremony Min party flying back to Saigon, Harris remaining Hanoi.
Bernard de Lattre was killed instantly at 4 a. m., May 30 near Ninh-Binh. Mortar shell exploded two yards from him, 80 pieces found in his body of which 37 cld have been fatal. Fr had lost Ninh-Binh post then retaken it, then lost it then again re-taken. After last action, Lieutenant De Lattre was found dead. Seven other officers and 22 non-coms lost in Ninh-Binh action.
A typical first Vietnamese reaction, voiced by Mayor last night, was fear that De Lattre in anguish might order all-out reprisals, napalm thousands of innocent peasants in area. There was of course no possibility of such a reaction from De Lattre.
Dept pass Paris. Sent Dept 690, rptd info Paris 213, Hanoi unn.
- Not printed.↩
- Col. Lee V. Harris, Army Attaché, Legation at Saigon.↩
- Lt. Col. Edmund F. Freeman, Air Attaché Legation at Saigon.↩
- Cmdr. Raymond A. Kotrla, Naval Attaché, Legation at Saigon.↩
- Jean Risterucci, Political Adviser to the High Commissioner of France in Indochina.↩
- On May 12, at Dalat, twenty Vietnamese being held for suspected pro-Viet Minh activities were shot in reprisal for the assassination of a French security agent.↩