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8. General Navarre intends, during his current visit to France, to urgently request that the French Government authorize him the loan of the equivalent of at least 2 divisions from French forces outside Indochina. In view of the French conviction that they do not have sufficient forces in Indochina to win an early victory there, and the fact that the shipment of French divisions to Indochina would go far toward convincing the fence-sitters that France can and will see this war through to victory, I believe that the United States should support General Navarre's request.

9. I can readily understand SHAPE's initial concern over the shipment of French divisions to Indochina. However, considering that these divisions would be on loan only, that they would be returned at an early date followed by the dividend of thousands of additional battle-hardened and victorious French military veterans, and the great strength which would accrue to France from a successful settlement of the war in Indochina, I believe the action concerned would be to SHAPE's great advantage.

10. Though the addition of 2 divisions, endowed with a divisional concept of teamwork, continuity, impetus, and employment of artillery, could provide the military balance to assure an early victory, I feel that any addition other than in divisional organization would be in error since it is the divisional team, with its combat proven effectiveness, which is sorely needed, in Indochina.

Rh