Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume X, Cuba, January 1961–September 1962

140. Telegram From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Atlantic (Dennison)⁰

Washington, April 19, 1961, 3:37 a.m.

JCS 994369. Bumpy Road. Exclusive to Adm Dennison and RAdm Clark from JCS.

1. TG 81.8 to furnish air cover of 6 unmarked aircraft over CEF forces during period 0630 to 0730 local time 19 April to defend CEF against air attack from Castro forces. Do not seek air combat but defend CEF forces from air attack. Do not attack ground targets. Pilots carry as little identification as practicable. If necessary to ditch, ditch at sea.

2. CEF transport aircraft, to include C-46, C-54 and possibly C-130 types, are scheduled to air drop supplies to CEF forces in beachhead from 190630R to 190730R.¹ Friendly B-26ʼs are scheduled to attack Castro tanks and forces in vicinity of beachhead during same period.

3. U.S. Col. Robertson will land on beach by small boat during same period for consultation with CEF commander.

4. CEF very short of supplies and are being requested by other agencies to break out from beach as soon as practicable either as organized force or as small bands of guerillas. If this is not possible it may become necessary to evacuate CEF forces at last resort. Should this be necessary will probably use CEF ships but have Phibron 2 in position about 30 miles from beach by 191300R² prepared to conduct evacuation from Blue Beach or other designated beach at 191700R³ using unmarked amphibious craft with crews in dungarees so that they will not be easily identified on beach. If evacuation by U.S. ships ordered furnish air cover to protect landing craft and keep amphibious shipping not less than five miles from beach so as not to indicate U.S. ships are involved. What is latest time you will need executing order to evacuate at 191700R?

5. Make frequent reports after operation begins.

6. New subject. Furnish air cover to CEF ships more than 15 miles from coast as practicable.⁴

0. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Cuba, Subjects, Taylor Report. Top Secret; Exclusive; Flash. Also sent to CTG 81.8. A chronology maintained in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations indicates that the instructions in this telegram resulted from a conference at the White House. (Naval Historical Center, Area Files, Bumpy Road Materials) The conference cited in the chronology was the one listed in the Presidentʼs appointment book as having begun at 11:58 p.m. on April 18 and concluded at 2:46 a.m. on April 19. No participants are listed for this off-the-record meeting on Cuba, and no other record of the meeting has been found. (Kennedy Library, Presidentʼs Appointment Book)
1. 6:30 to 7:30 local time.
2. 1 p.m. local time.
3. 5 p.m.
4. At 6:30 a.m., Clark cabled to Dennison: “Will devote my entire resources to execution JCS 190837Z [JCS 994369].” (CTG 81.8 telegram 191130Z to CINCLANTFLT; Naval Historical Center, Area Files, Bumpy Road Materials)