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March 30,1967 MEMORANDUM TO: JIM GARRISON, DISTRICT ATTORNEY FROM: WILLIAM GURVICH, SPECIAL AID SUBJECT: RANCIER BLAISE EHLINGER - Interview with on March 30, 1967, 2:35 PM On this date, RANCIER BLAISE EHLINGER, white male, date of birth August 8, 1938, residing at 103 Homestead Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana, phone number 835-0959, was interviewed by JAMES ALCOCK and WILLIAM GURVICH in the office of the District Attorney. EHLINGER stated that he had been interviewed by JIM GARRISON about four or five weeks ago relative to an incident in Houma, Louisiana, relative to the burglary of explosives in that area. ALCOCK and I interviewed EHLINGER again about this and other matters. He stated that he has known GORDON NOVEL for approximately twelve years and attended high school with him in Metairie, Louisiana. EHLINGER stated that between March and September 1961, he, GORDON NOVEL, DAVID FERRIE, SERGIO ARCACHA-SMITH, MRS. GORDON (MARLENE) NOVEL traveled to Houma, Louisiana, inNOVEL's1956 Lincoln auto- mobile for the purpose of carrying out a prearranged plot to burglarize bunkers on the Houma Airport for the purpose of ob- taining explosives and munitions. Two others who were members of this plot followed them in a van truck and participated in the burglary. One of the occupants of the truck was LAYTON MARTENS, the other subject is unidentified. According to EHLINGER it was GORDON NOVEL who originated this plot. NOVEL and EHLINGER had been on this airport before for the purpose of attending drag strip races. It was at that time that NOVEL noticed the bunkers and returned to New Orleans and discussed this with SERGIO ARCACHA-SMITH and DAVID FERRIE. These discussions took place at FERRIE's residence in Metairie and ARCACHA'S residence in the Gentilly section of New Orleans. EHLINGER stated that he and NOVEL had operated, a drag strip in HAMMOND, Louisiana. EHLINGER stated that he did not know who owned the truck, which appeared to be old and of a dark color. The only tool used to force entry into the bunker was described by EHLINGER as a bolt cutter, which to his knowledge was in the truck. EHLINGer does not know for sure who actually entered the bunker but states that all persons mentioned by him were present and participated in one way or another. The unidentified subject in the truck wore a marine-type fatigue uniform, spoke of guerrilla training, had dark, curly hair and was over six feet in height. Taken in this burglary by these individuals, according to EHLINGER, were artillery simulators, 30 cal. machine gun tracer bullets, signal foares (chute-type) and other unidentified explosives. The entire burglary took approximately fifteen minutes and all per- sons involved returned in the vehicles to New Orleans, arriving