Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part V. B. 3. a.djvu/196



I. - To retake the initiative immediately through the carrying out, beginning this summer, of local offensives and by pushing to the utmost commando and guerrilla actions.

II. - To take the offensive in the north beginning September 15, in order to forestall the enemy attack. To conduct the battle which will take place during the fall and winter of 1953-1954 in an offensive manner by attacking the flanks and the rear of the enemy.

III. - To recover from areas not directly involved in the battle a maximum number of units. To pacify these regions progressively.

IV. - To build up progressively a battle corps by grouping battalions into regiments and regiments into divisions and by giving to the units thus created the necessary support (artillery, engineers, armor, communications) taking into account the very special character of the, war in Indochina (the terrain,, the enemy). To bring about a maximum of cooperation with the Air Force and the Navy. Rh