751G.00/5–1054: Telegram
The Chargé at Saigon (McClintock) to the Department of State
priority
[Received 1:46 a.m.]
2309. Sent priority Paris 802, priority Geneva 75. I asked De Jean this morning if any word has been received as to fate of wounded at Dien Bien Phu. He said there was none, but that French were continuing to parachute both medical supplies and food into ravaged fortress and that these relief planes had not been fired upon. De Jean repeated Navarre’s estimate to me that 40 percent of total garrison of 8,000 men must be considered wounded.
Columns of prisoners in groups of 50 were observed moving north from Dien Bien Phu on foot. How many of these were walking wounded is of course not known.
I suggested to De Jean that if Navarre made a renewed appeal to Giap for permission at least to send in medical teams by helicopter, I could not see how Communists could refuse such a request, now that battle was over and there would be absolutely no military advantage to be won by declining. I thought Navarre as Commander-in-Chief had moral obligation to do at least this and to bring out news of fate of wounded.
De Jean said he agreed with this idea and would urge it on Navarre forthwith.