Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume X, Cuba, January 1961–September 1962

127. 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, 5:12 p.m.

182212Z. Exclusive for Dennison, Gray, Smith, OʼDonnell and McElroy from Clark. Bumpy Road. Eyeball recco report over area about 2120Z.¹

1. Convoy of large Castro tanks (10 to 14) with trucks and lorries on road from Gallinas extending to point about three miles south moving south and east. Only a few troops seen with convoy. No others sighted.

2. CEF tanks and trucks burned out alongside road near La Seiba. No sign of CEF troops.

3. No air activity seen. No sign of artillery or infantry action.

4. Own evaluation Red Beach wiped out. Attacks on other beaches thus far have been almost entirely by air.

0. Source: Naval Historical Center, Area Files, Bumpy Road Materials. Top Secret; Emergency. Repeated to JCS, COMCARIBSEAFRON, COMKWESTFOR, and COMNAVBASE GTMO.
1. 4:20 p.m.