751G.00/8–1453: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Sturm) to the Department of State
[Received 1:08 p.m.]
94. Repeated Saigon 64, Paris 46. Regarding evacuation of Nasan yesterday, General Cogny said that in 560 flights (maximum in one day being 130 compared with high point of 85 flights when Nasan was being built up last fall) air force carried out total of about 10,000 persons, including 1,800 Thai families. He said performance of air force personnel was magnificent and that only casualty suffered during operation was crack up in Hanoi on take-off of one of evacuation planes; one man killed in this accident.
Night of August 11 after air evacuation had been suspended was one of great anxiety for Cogny. Although he had announced battalion remaining at Nasan would strike out by road, and it would in fact have done so, he had no hope that any considerable number of these troops could make their way back to safety. Tropical depression which forced suspension of airlift might have continued through the week, or well beyond period battalion could remain Nasan with any degree of security. Air control personnel at Nasan instead of pulling out on last planes of August 11, as they might justifiably have done, took a chance on remaining with battalion. When August 12 dawned bright and clear throughout Tonkin, planes took to the air again and by 1300 hours the last evacuee had arrived safely in Hanoi.
Cogny admits that this delicate manoeuvre could not have been executed so faultlessly without an admixture of luck. Nevertheless, it was equally the product of excellent planning and first-rate aviation-ground forces cooperation.
General said it was not yet certain what disposition would be made of three Thai battalions evacuated. Some may be sent to Laichau, but since they are black Thais rather than the white Thais of Laichau, this cultural difference could cause difficulties. Cogny said he hoped evacuation of Nasan would not give rise to any unwarranted assumption that Laichau will be evacuated in like manner. Severe pressure might in [Page 725] due course force evacuation of Laichau, he said, but that is not contemplated under any other circumstances. He will go there himself tomorrow reassure Thai Federation President Deo-Vnd-Long.
Cogny expressed enormous relief not only at having successfully carried out evacuation of Nasan, but also at being rid of great and useless burden of supporting strong point logistically. He feels also he has gained equivalent of several battalions in addition to the 4 evacuated in sense that he need no longer hold units in reserve to put into Nasan in case of attack.