125. Telegram From the Commander of Special Task Group 81.8 (Clark) to the Commander in Chief, Atlantic (Dennison)0
USS Essex, Caribbean, April 18, 1961, 4:42
p.m.
182142Z. Exclusive for Dennison, Gray, Smith, McElroy and OʼDonnell from Clark. Bumpy Road Int Sum.
- 1.
- Pending recovery my eyeball recco flight following is summary of messages intercepted between CEF beach commander and Dolores plus some addressed to Mallard.
- 2.
- From Brigade Commander Blue Beach intercepted at 181715Z.1 “Blue Beach must have jet air support in next few hours or will be wiped out. Under heavy attacks by MIG jets and heavy tanks.” Intercepted at 1703Z.2 “Blue Beach under attack by MIG 15s and T-33s. Request jet support or cannot hold. Situation critical.” Intercepted at 1728Z.3 “Without jet air support cannot hold. Have no ammo left for tanks and very little left for troops. Enemy just launched heavy land attack supported by tanks. Cannot hold for long.” Intercept at 1509Z.4 “Under heavy attack supported by 12 tanks. Need air support immediately. Red Beach wiped out. Request air strikes immediately.”
- 3.
- From Brigade Commander to Colonel Mallard relayed from Marsopa5 at 1825Z.6 “Under heavy attack supported by 12 tanks. Need air support immediately. Red Beach wiped out. Request air strikes. Need ammo of all types immediately. 4 B-26 ETA beach head 181900Z. Request Navy air CAP for beachhead. If not provided expect loss 4 B-26. Confident you can provide. Advise.”
- 4.
- All above held by Mallardʼs boss by other means. My work with CEF to date incicates they are a well organized and professional group.
- 5.
- 6 B-26 passed over me heading north at 182120Z.7
- 6.
- My eyeball recco report in about one hour.
- Source: Naval Historical Center, Area Files, Bumpy Road Materials. Top Secret; Operational Immediate. Repeated to JCS,COMCARIBSEAFRON, COMWESTFOR, and COMNAVBASE GTMO.↩
- 12:15 p.m. All times cited in the message are on April 18.↩
- 12:03 p.m.↩
- 12:28 p.m.↩
- 10:09 a.m.↩
- Code name for Blagar.↩
- 1:25 p.m.↩
- 4:20 p.m.↩