751.551/5–2153: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1
5693. Secretary Defense has written Dept to following effect:2
“The present situation in Laos has drained the last bit of reserve out of the French Air Force in Indochina, and the near collapse of the maintenance and pilot capabilities of the French Air Force in Indochina is close at hand.
“The Department of Defense has repeatedly advised the French that the current manpower ceiling of ten thousand personnel (including approximately two thousand five hundred guards and ordinary laborers) was totally inadequate to support the number of aircraft operating in French Indochina, and that more French personnel were needed to effectively employ, efficiently utilize and properly maintain the aircraft on hand.”
Secretary’s letter concludes with request that Dept “make appropriate representation to French Government to induce them to provide needed Air Force supply, maintenance and operational personnel.”
Further details this whole situation are contained MAAG Saigon telegram 728–A May first passed MAAG Paris and Deptel 5647.3
Approach Pleven earliest opportunity indicating to him primary importance attached by US Govt to remedying this situation which is understood be under study by French Air Ministry. It would be appropriate recall to Pleven that we have on several occasions and at considerable sacrifice to ourselves made planes available on priority basis for use in Indochina but that our air experts consider problem not primarily need for additional planes particularly transport types but need for personnel to maintain and operate planes already available.
This might well be one of topics proposed military mission to Indochina will wish discuss but there would be advantage in pursuing problem at technical level earliest since it appears obvious additional allocation French air force manpower in Indochina is required if maximum effective use this all-important weapon is to be made.
If French Government says it requires prior NATO approval to a diversion of personnel from Europe, US would be prepared support [Page 577] such request. You should comment on this only if French raise issue of NATO approval. Department understands NATO Annual Review indicates surplus French Air Force personnel in Europe in relation available modern aircraft. You may inform Pleven that US Air Force experts available to discuss details this serious situation in Paris, Washington or Saigon. Defense communicating Ridgway4 this subject.
- Drafted by Philip W. Bonsal, Director of PSA. Also sent to Saigon as telegram 2291.↩
- The letter from Secretary of Defense Wilson to Secretary of State Dulles, May 16, is in file 751G.5/5–1653.↩
- Neither printed.↩
- Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway, USA, Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command, and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.↩