◆ SpookStack

In the course of the same discussion of plans when the troops hit the beach, Hawkins mentioned that in addition to 650 men who were to be landed in the Blue beach area, paratroopers also would be dropped in the vicinity: and then he suggested that 400 men were to be installed at Green beach. At this point Bissell was quick to note that "the initial landing at Green beach was about 200 men;" but as just mentioned, no 20/ troops ever got near the Green beach area. Such errors would seem to reflect the tension of the moment. The second meeting of the Cuban Study Group also intro- duced discussion about the evaluation of CIA's paramilitary plan of action by the JCS and about the hectic period between 11 and 15 March 1961 when President Kennedy and his advisers demanded alternative plans to the Agency-proposed Trinidad operation. Many of the basic questions raised during this early meeting of the CSG would continue to surface through sUbsequent sessions of the Cuban Study Group. Among the most important issues introduced at this time were the following: The JeS's evaluation of the anti-Castro forces that the Agency had assembled. The JCS's estimate of the chances of success of the planned paramili~ary activity. The understanding of objectives to be achieved vis-a-vis the population of Cuban by the planned invasion. The question of whether or not the JCS actually recommended in favor of the operation. 39 /