751G.00/10–2252: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Sturm) to the Department of State
priority
225. Dept pass Paris, DEPTAR G–2, ONI, AFOIN, sent priority Dept 225, repeated info Paris 116, Saigon 167. I had half hour interview my request this afternoon with Letourneau, following announcement here Fr Chamber calling for debate on Indochina and noon press briefing carried by wire services indicating abandonment wide area centered about Nghia-lo including relatively important post of Anyen; and general withdrawal to line on River Noire. Letourneau said he had advised Pinay he cannot consent to Indochina debate in his absence but that he is providing materials for statement to Chamber on Oct 24;1 even this however, he considers annoying in midst of difficult campaign.
ResMin confirmed that Fr intelligence preceding attack was deficient and added that even now he has no clear idea of details. Some troops are known to have escaped from Nghia-lo and are making way back toward, but have not yet reached, Fr positions where they will be questioned. VM attack was delivered in strength of not less than two and probably three divs. Letourneau said he had no idea of eventual VM intent, which may be to overrun entire Thai country and perhaps penetrate to Laos; he added that thought had of course been given to possibility attack was designed to screen some movement from Chi border. In this connection, however, Pres of Thai Federation at Laichau yesterday informed ResMin his own agents reported nothing at all toward the north. Letourneau gave clear impression that delta defense wld not be weakened to undertake adventures in fantastically difficult country, of which he showed me recent photos, containing peaks of from two to three thousand meters and penetrated only by rough trails.
Until today weather has been nearly impossible for aviation, but clear skies now permit what ResMin described as “marvelous work”. Possibility of air operation has brightened picture, which Letourneau said “was yesterday very gloomy”.
Para battalion dropped last week at Tu-Le has advanced to meet another dropped yesterday along trails toward Son-La to reinforce it; two units have now joined and shld make their way to region of Son-La by tomorrow. Letourneau said this was great relief, for it was earlier feared they might have lost battalion at Tu-Le.
[Page 269]ResMin said skill and resources shown by VM troops operating in mountainous area has provoked wonder among his own generals. He says this phase of campaign may very well last one month, although it is taking VM very far from own bases and into generally hostile country. Letourneau said he will stay here until October 28 when he goes Phnom Penh for King’s anniversary. He plans then return Saigon to meet Defense Under Secy Foster.2 ResMin expressed particular regret that circumstances had prevented Asst Secy Allison from visiting Hanoi.3
- 0n Oct. 24, René Pleven, the French Minister of Defense, delivered a statement before the National Assembly minimizing the significance of the fall of Nghia-Lô. For text, see France, Journal Officiel, Assemblée Nationale, 1952, Débats, pp. 4391–4392.↩
- William C. Foster, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Frank C. Nash, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, arrived at Saigon on Oct. 29 for several days of conferences. Adm. Arthur W. Radford, Commander in Chief, Pacific, and U.S. Pacific Fleet, also visited Indochina in late October, arriving on Oct. 28.↩
- John M. Allison, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, visited Indochina during the course of a tour of Far Eastern nations, Sept. 26–Nov. 16.↩