Office of the Historian

751G.00/1–1954: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1

top secret
Washington, February 5, 1954—6:15 p.m.

2757. Paris 2503 repeated Saigon 256,2 Paris 2668 repeated Saigon 284.3 In addition to acknowledgments made by Embassy Paris to Laniel’s letters of December 30 and January 18, Chargé Paris at his discretion may wish send letter his signature to Laniel along following lines:

“Dear Mr. President: Needs of French Air Force Indochina which you brought my attention your letters of December 30 and January [Page 1019] 18 have received urgent attention of President of United States and his principal advisers.

“I wish to assure you my Government fully understands vital part which French Air Force is so valiantly and effectively playing in present stage of military operations Indochina and how important it is that it be in no way handicapped in carrying out its essential tasks. Practical questions involved are being, I understand, rapidly explored and settled by pertinent military authorities our two countries.”

For your information: Department informed Admiral Radford in close touch General Valluy all aspects.4 Information US Del Berlin: Letters referred to from Laniel contain requests additional B–26 planes and American ground maintenance personnel acting in civilian capacity.

Smith
  1. Drafted by Hoey and Day of PSA. Also sent to Saigon as telegram 1397 and to Berlin as Tosec 91.↩
  2. Dated Jan. 5, p. 942.↩
  3. Dated Jan. 19, p. 983.↩

  4. In telegram 2899 from Paris, Feb. 9, the Embassy reported that the letter to Laniel had been handed to Maurice Schumann, the French Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that morning. (751G.00/2–954) In the meantime, on Feb. 6, the Department of Defense announced in Washington that in response to a French request, the delivery of B–26 aircraft was being accelerated and that some 200 ground personnel were also being sent. The MAAG personnel were described as noncombatants who would act solely as technical advisers and expert mechanics. (Department of Defense Press Release No. 134–54, Feb. 6, 1954; Department of Defense files)

    In telegram 1401 from Saigon, Feb. 8, Ambassador Heath reported the following: “Ten additional B–26 urgently requested by French already arrived, plus seven previously programmed B–26. Our understanding that favorable consideration will be given to request for additional squadron of B–26 if and when pilots now being trained in France complete training and are sent to Indochina. 200 USAF mechanics already arrived here and are at work at Tourane and Do Son airfields. This additional maintenance force believed will be sufficient to maintain French air fleet as at present constituted.” (751G.5622/2–854)

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