751G.00/12–953: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Sturm) to the Department of State
333. Repeated information Saigon 247, Paris 147. Evacuation of civilians from Laichau was completed 7th, according Chief Political [Page 916] Officer of Delegation Generale. Principal families were moved to Hanoi, others to Dien-Bien-Phu.
Status of Laichau, according to informant, is now fluid: If Viet Minh attack town, no effort will be made to hold it, but whenever Viet Minh are not present in force, Franco-Thai units will continue make such use of town and environs as may be desirable. No fixed defensive positions remain at Laichau.
As Dien-Bien-Phu passes from airborne to infantry phase, General Gilles, paratroop commander, is being relieved by Colonel De Castries, most recently in command of South zone of delta.1 Despite rumors heard widely in official and unofficial circles here, informant says he has not been able to authenticate reports that elements of Viet Minh Divisions 308 and 312 are moving to join Division 316 in Thai country. He adds that objectives of Division 316 itself are far from clear at this time.
- In telegram 334 from Hanoi, Dec. 10, Sturm summarized his discussion of Dec. 9 with General Cogny, French commander in northern Vietnam, concerning the military situation. The telegram read in part as follows: “In assigning Colonel De Castries to command Dien-Bien-Phu Cogny gave job to best man for the purpose now available in Tonkin. An old cavalry man, De Castries can be depended on seize initiative and not remain behind defensive position (that is, not to create another Na San). Position at Dien-Bien-Phu is now strong and is being further strengthened continually.” (751G.00/12–1053)↩