120. Telegram From the Central Intelligence Agency to Agency Personnel in Nicaragua0
Washington, April 18,
1961, 11:26 a.m.
4737. For [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]:
- 1.
- Following is for your guidance:
- A.
- Present air situation dictates following:
- (1)
- Maximum B-26 night attacks on strategic targets to eliminate Cuban air capability by Cuban crews.
- (2)
- Maximum resupply effort during hours of darkness American to beachhead only and Cuban all areas.
- (3)
- Use of F-51ʼs in support of ground forces from Playa Giron.
- (4)
- Support of ground forces by American crews (over beachhead and sea approaches only).
- (5)
- Four additional B-26ʼs being dispatched from Eglin to arrive evening 18 April.
- 2.
- American contract crews can be used B-26 strikes beachhead area and approaches only. Emphasize beachhead area only. Can not attach sufficient importance to fact American crews must not fall into hands enemy. In event this happens despite all precautions crews must state hired mercenaries, fighting communism, etc; US will deny any knowledge.
- 3.
- View above conserve all Cuban crews during daylight hours. Prepare for maximum effort strike tonight, Cuban crews frag bombs, three aircraft hit San Antonio de los Banos 19/0530Z and three additional aircraft strike same target 19/0700Z. Vary approaches effect maximum frag coverage all parking areas. Operational pattern future will be American air crews fly armed reccy roads beachhead area approx each four hours. Cuban crews fly night airstrikes.
Note: Additional details on tonightʼs mission will follow.
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI Files: Job 85-00664R, Box 4, Vol. I. Top Secret; Emergency.↩