Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Vietnam, Volume I

81. Telegram From the Special Representative in Vietnam (Collins) to the Department of State¹

Saigon, March 30, 1955—1 p.m.

4213. Following account of events based on observation Embassy staff and American press correspondent, and on Vietnamese army sources:

1. At midnight Saigon–Cholon prefectural police headquarters attacked by approximately 80 Binh Xuyen stationed in adjoining police school. Police headquarters previously reinforced by National Army paratroopers and further reinforced after Binh Xuyen attack by other National Army elements. National forces had consolidated their control of police headquarters area by 1:30 morning 30th. Total casualties this engagement approximately 10 killed, 50 wounded.

2. Simultaneously with Binh Xuyen attack on police headquarters, mortar shells were fired into ground President’s Palace. 2 shells hit wing of Palace, 3 more landed in Palace grounds, a few other in nearby area. 5 wounded at Palace grounds; 2 at or near neighboring French High Commissariat Office.

3. At about same time or shortly thereafter Binh Xuyen attacked FAVN headquarters Cholon, but were repelled. FAVN casualties this action 5 killed, 21 wounded.²

[

Collins

]

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751G.00/3–3055. Secret; Priority. Repeated for information to Paris and passed to the Department of Defense.
2. In a memorandum to Collins dated March 30, General O’Daniel reported on his conversations with FAVN officers involved in the fighting, stating: “I am convinced that the Vietnamese military were fired on first by the enemy.” (Collins Papers, Vietnam File, Series VII, O)