AIR ACTIVITY AROUND DIEN BIEN PHU - PART 2

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
05319924
Release Decision: 
RIFPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
1
Document Creation Date: 
July 13, 2023
Document Release Date: 
August 30, 2022
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
F-2022-01173
Publication Date: 
April 28, 1954
File: 
Body: 
Approved for Release: 2022/08/05 C05319924 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INFORMATION REPORT This Document contains information affecting the tional Defensv of the United States, within the ing of Title 13, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as amended. Its transmission or revelation of its coi.te'd.:9� to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited, 0ItHhI uNTEcOn 0. OFF/CIAL0 UhL, 619336 COUNTRY Indochina REPORT NO. CS-36929 SUBJECT Air Activity Around Dien Bien Phu DATE DISTR. 28 April 1954 NO. OF PAGES 1 DATE OF INFO. Mid-April 1954 REQUIREMENT NO. RD PLACE ACQUIRED Indochina, Saigon (23 April 1954) REFERENCES ILU THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE. THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. (FOR KEY SEE REVERSE) SOURcE: American observer in an excellent position to report on air activities in Indochina (B). Appraisal of Content: 2� roanntritkir St Kinn( AiEUTE0 AS � NSW PD-:,84171 31SSEARIMI Kan 1, The morale of the Civilian Air Transport (CAT) pilots flying C119's is much Im- proved by better flak suppression. French navy fighters are reported to be doing a particularly fine job. 2. Flak from 37mm or other type explosive shell is rarely encountered now and it usually encountered at night. There continues to be fairly heavy 50-caliben machine gun fire with occasional hits on aircraft but no excessive damage has occurred thus far. 3. Parachute drops are usually made from an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 feet above ground although CAT pilots occasionally go down to 400 or 500 feet. 4. General de Castries has twice radioed commendation t,0 the 0119 crews for the air support. SECRIT UONTKUL - u.b. uliTICIAL5 uN ST ATE 61�ARMY x NAVY X I AIR LX FBI Note: Washington Distribution indicated By "X"; Field Distribution By "*" Approved for Release: 2022/08/05 C05319924