751G.5/2–2251: Telegram
The Minister at Saigon ( Heath ) to the Secretary of State
1478. De Lattre tells me he expects leave for Paris early next week with fair hopes obtaining needed reinforcements. He will ask net increased 12 additional combat battalions plus communications and service units totaling some 20,300 men, of which 6,300 would be French, 7,000 African and other colonial troops and 7,000 Indochinese auxiliaries to be recruited locally.
General Juin, in his trip to IC after Caobang disasters,1 had stated French forces should be increased by two divisions whereas he, De Lattre, was asking for only 12 battalions equal to 1⅓ divisions (In Washington General Juin told me that he thought he could give De Lattre 10 battalions.)
De Lattre showed me a sheaf of letters to French military and civilian authorities asking support for his requests. He had also sent letter to De Gaulle2 by Admiral Ortoli, French Naval Commander for Far East who is a De Gaullist. De Lattre was very gratified with letter he had just received from Eisenhower3 and is replying urging that his request for reinforcements to IC will not prejudice the aims of NATO.
Attachés, General Brink and myself are convinced necessity of De Lattre’s receiving temporary reinforcements he asks.
Prior my departure, De Lattre considered he would be in danger if Chinese invade any time before June 1, i.e., start of rainy season. He now thinks danger period runs only until May 1. By that time his defensive preparations in Tonkin Delta will be in advanced stage.
Sent Department 1478, repeated information Paris 643.