◆ SpookStack

criterion for action -- the criterion now was that the air operation be politically acceptable. Recognizing these difficulties, however, Cabell proc~eded to play the "good soldier tf in saying that the time for discussion was past and that it was imperative to follow the orders of the Commander-in-Chief. According to this version of the cancellation of the strike, Cabell and Bissell together agreed that it was too late to turn the fleet about "in the face of the enemy"; but Cabell noted that had the cancellation been ordered some hours earlier, there would have been no problem about scrubbing the whole operation. Considering the actual status of the fleet at the time the decision was made final -- little or none of the unloading had actually started -- and considering that the first firefight had not yet taken place and alerted Castro's troops, it is difficult to understand why the attempt was not made to halt the operation, -to recall everything that was in motion and, if need be, to use the B-26's to try to provide short-time cover for the withdrawing ships. The expressions of concern that orders to turn about might have led the Cubans to seize the vessels - 294 -