Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI, Part 2

Manila Post Files: 430.1 Napalm Bomb: Telegram

The Chief of the Joint United States Military Advisory Group in the Philippines (Hobbs) to the Department of the Army

secret

[Manila,] July 14, 1951—2 a. m.

6272–A. For G–3. Urmsg 96019.¹ Subject: Napalm bombs. Do not concur with point A. of Defense opinion. In my opinion the use of napalm is definitely and primarily a military matter and responsibility for its use rests with the Phil Govt, not the US Govt. From mil point of view napalm is used against certain strategic targets in much the same manner as artillery, which we furnish the armed forces Phil, and is subj to the same human on-target error. It is emphasized that the AFP has developed and is using so-called locally produced napalm bomb and there have been no political repercussions, known to this office, from such use. This bomb is definitely inferior to ours and in my opinion, inasmuch as the AFP intend to continue using their napalm substitute, we are, militarily, justified in furnishing them the higher grade ingredients available to the US. I fully concur in the limited use of napalm as it is currently used against certain strategic targets not coverable nor counteractable by other means. Experience has proven that in rugged mountainous terrain, covered with jungle growth, where these guerrillas holeup in caves in the cliffs, dislodging of the enemy force becomes extremely difficult and results in high casualties to the AFP troops. The use of low-level bombing with napalm assists most materially in driving out such an entrenched enemy. The argument (political) that Russia might make international propaganda out of such usage is negated by actual events to date as far as the local Phil picture is concerned, since the Phil public has accepted the use of the AFP-manufactured type napalm without any known protest. Effect of such possible propaganda by Russia in other countries is believed irrelevant to the local conflict in the Philippines. This mountain-entrenched enemy must be met and defeated and surely the use of napalm to lessen the AFP casualties in this dislodgement operation is of far more importance than any possible propagandism by the Russians. It is urged that the Dept of Def reconsider its opinion that the use of napalm is primarily political, and render future decisions based on mil desirability. Amb Cowen has been shown this radio in its entirety. After reading same Ambassador Cowen states he has no objection to requested napalm materials being furnished AFP, provided storage and actual combat use of same was carefully supervised and previously approved by JUSMAG. He was assured by me that these desired provisions would be followed by this hqrs.²

1. Not found in Department of State files.
2. In a letter of July 19 to the Ambassador, Mr. Melby stated: “Thanks for your memorandum of July 9 to Dave Cuthell about napalm bombs [p. 1550]. At the same time that came in I got a copy of Hobbs telegram to [G–3], No. 6272–A … July [14], containing the strongest possible request for napalm and its use. The telegram ends quoting your approval for his position and request. As long as this stands unchallenged there is nothing we can do to prevent the request from going through. You know as well as I do that no guarantee by Hobbs and supervision will prevent the Filipinos from using these bombs just as they please.” (Manila Post Files: 430.1 Napalm Bomb)