751G.5–MSP/12–1451: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France
3569. For Bruce from Lacy. Urgency sit described Embtel 3568 Dec 141 emphasized to Defense which assures us they are making special effort complete delivery on all items. Acting on info provided by Fr Emb Wash Dept emphasized greatest need IC is for trucks, automatic weapons and radio equipment. Defense assures us that all transportation equipment will be delivered IC by Dec 31 in a number exceeding that promised Gen de Lattre. Special efforts on other items which are in particular short supply are continuing.
- In telegram 3568 from Paris, Ambassador Bruce stated the following: “LeTourneau, Minister for Associated States, asked me today to advise Washington French Government would be most grateful if speed of end item deliveries Indochina cld be accelerated. DeLattre had talked to him today reporting that present Viet Minh battle was serious and was chewing up equipment fast. Can you give me any info on this subject which might be useful?” (751G.5–MSP/12–1451) From mid-November 1951 to February 1952, heavy fighting occurred in the area of Hoa-Binh, southwest of Hanoi, and elsewhere in northern Viet-Nam.↩