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27 April 1954

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE




 * | Subject: || || French Request for Additional Aid
 * | References: || || .NIACT 4085
 * || || .SECTO 14
 * }
 * || || .SECTO 14
 * }

1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff lack verified logistical information, including the comments of the Chief, MAAG, Indochina in regard to feasibility of the aid requested by the French. This information has been requested as soon as possible.

2. Pending receipt of such data and comments from Chief, MAAG, Indochina, which may materially alter the observations on feasibility which follow, the comments of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the French request are indicated below:


 * . From the viewpoint of military effectiveness the proposal offers little insofar as relief of Dien Bien Phu is concerned.


 * . It would appear that the psychological aspect could be satisfied by confining the operation to one field only--that at Seno.


 * . The Seno airfield appears also to be the only one in which rehabilitation and preparation are feasible within anything like the timing proposed. Preparation of the two other fields included in the French request would require from 2 to 4 weeks and greatly increased supply, logistic and construction effort.


 * . It should be pointed out that the proposal is by no means a "one shot" affair but represents a continuing logistic supply requirement of no small proportions with a corresponding reduction of the airlift capabilities of CINCFE.

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