751G.00/11–2353: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Sturm) to the Department of State
310. Repeated information Saigon 229, Paris 142. Spokesman for General Cogny today gave following information on operation CASTOR (BEAVER):
Five battalions parachuted into Dien-Bien-Phu and environs November 20 and 21. Second wave of parachutists, dropped on town [Page 882] itself, met with some opposition. Viet Minh casualties to date are 92 killed and 15 prisoners; French Union casualties described as 12 wounded.
Purpose of operation is to establish base in Thai country.
- (1)
- To serve as northern anchor of Laos defenses, southern anchor being Plaine des Jarres;
- (2)
- To send out scout in hand attack parties in all directions to seek out enemy and engage him;
- (3)
- To foster development of Thai guerrilla and partisan forces to supplement those already formed and based on Lai Chau.
Viet Minh division 316, which has for some time had elements deployed from Thanh-Hoa base toward Thai country, has not offered special threat recently, but High Command feared that it might be acting as precursor of other major Viet Minh elements for eventual attack on Laos.
Spokesman insisted that there is no intent establish a new Nasan at Dien-Bien-Phu, but only a base for positive and offensive operations. Forces will be maintained there only as long as proves expeditious.
Units based on Lai Chau have descended mountain trail leading due south from Lai Chau to Dien-Bien-Phu to make contact with parachute battalions. Informant said this trail is now in French Union hands over its full length.