Annex No. 10 Evaluation of the CIA Cuban Volunteer Task Force

Supplemental material used in Maxwell Taylor's report on the Bay of Pigs operation.

Extracted text

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10 JCSM-146-61 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Subject: Evaluation of the CIA Cuban Volunteer Task Force (S) 1. JCSM-57-61, dated 3 February 1961, which forwarded the con- clusions of the Military Evaluation of the CIA Para-Military Plan, Cuba, pointed up the desirability for the conduct of an independent evaluation of the combat effectiveness of the invasion force and detailed analysis of logistics plans by a team of Army, Nával and Air Force officers if practicable without danger of compromise of the Plan. 2. At a meeting with the Joint Chiefo of Staff on 8 February 1961, the Director of Central Intelligence concurred and requested that such an evaluation be conducted. 3. The report by the inspection team is attached as an Appendix hereto. a. The conclusions contained in paragraphs 6 through 10 of the report are gonerally valid. In view of the odds for achieving surprise as expressed in paragraph 10 of the report, CIA should investigate means for improving the security and cover for movement of the Task Force. If this investigation reveals that appreciable improve- ment in security is not practicable, then the chances of success of the CIA Para-Military Plan should be reevaluated. b. Implementation of the recommendation contained in paragraph 12 of the report would give more assurance of surprise. However, there are serious drawbacks to a totally airborne operation in these particular circumstances. Any damage to the airstrip or crash of an aircraft on the strip would probably hinder operations for a con- siderable period of time. This would be particularly serious since -of Copies cech of els pepor is requested. peges sorics Accos should be lumited to Individuols of this docuccut in cholofquiring the information horolo in order to i.: ozcept with carry out their spocial dutios. jiscion of the issuing offico.