751G.5/10–3152: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
912. Rptd info Paris 161. No distribution outside Department. As Letourneau and Salan are presently in NVN I addressed questions raised in Deptel 888, Oct 28 to General Allard, Salan‘s chief staff. Allard stated that VM offensive had not endangered or deferred projected airdrop operation; if anything, it may advance date operation. Typhoon damaged eleven transport planes but all expected be made operational in 15 days. Help being reed from MAAG which getting spare parts from Philippines highly appreciated.
Allard stated friends have launched offensive operation. One Group Mobile of three battalions have already crossed Black River with objective of threatening from rear VM line communication. He indicated French now have measure of VM offensive in that country and are taking measures cope with it.
Extensive press publicity abroad given VM offensive has tended impart to operation importance not shared by consensus informed opinion here. While any French Union reverse is always unfortunate and gives considerable psychological advantage to enemy, regarded of secondary strategic importance and its loss is not believed to constitute serious threat to French military position in NVN. French HICOM is not particularly worried.