751G.00/3–854: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Sturm) to the Department of State
478. Repeated information Saigon 373, Paris 197. Paris limit distribution. General Cogny says evidence appears to be converging toward indication that Viet Minh will attack Dien-Bien-Phu, now that Viet Minh Division 308 has withdrawn from advanced positions in Laos. Cogny admits, however, that there may be some degree of wishful thinking in his analysis, since he continues to believe that such attack would be highly advantageous to his own forces.
Following period of relative calm in delta last two weeks in February, Viet Minh activity this area has been stepped up appreciably since beginning of March. Cogny referred to Viet Minh sabotage of 11 planes at Gialam airport (Contel 472)1 as “a bitter blow,” but expressed hope that more of the damaged aircraft could be salvaged than at first appeared likely.
- Telegram 472 from Hanoi, Mar. 4, reporting the sabotaging that day of 11 aircraft at Hanoi civil airport, is not printed. (751G.5/3–454)↩