◆ SpookStack

claimed that DPD had five C-54's available, one of these was being held by the Mexican government fol- lowing an eme~gency landing and a second had crash landed in Guatemala while on a training flight. The latter had been so badly damaged that its destruction (by burning) was authorized fo'llowing the removal of some salvagable parts. 67c/ Mallard also suggested that the Agency go forward to DOD asking them to develop a contingency air plan for resupply of guer- rilla forces should the anti-Castro program of the US become overt. 67d/ Even as Mallard's comments were going forward within WH/4, Col. Beerli apparently concluded that the "certain conditions If to which he referred in his earlier memorandum had arrived, and he went forward to the DOD with a request (26 October ,1960) for "loan or bailment" of four C-54G's on an extremely short deadline (e.g., by 1 November 1960). 67e/ Beerli' srequest went over like a lead balloon with General Lansdale, OSO/OSD who had received the request. Lansdale had a memorandum hand carried to Mr. Bissell (27 October 1960), the DDP, in which he outlined the impracticability of being able to meet the deadline - 54 -