◆ SpookStack

SER 35. The terms “invasion", “strike", and "assault" were used e@ in these documents although the strike force concept does not seem to have been given any sort of policy sanction until the Special - Group meetings which took place toward the end of 1960. Plan of Operations 36. The Presidential briefing paper of August 1960 outlined the plan of operations as follows: . "The initial phase of paramilitary operations envisages the development, support and guidance of dissident groups in three areas of Cuba: Pinar del Rio, Escambray and Sierra . Maestra. These groups will be organized for concertea guerrilla action against the regime. "The second phase will be initiated by a combined sea- air assault by FRD forces on the Isle of Pines coordinated . with general guerrilla activity on the main island of Cuba. This will establish a close-in staging base for future operations. "The last phase will be air assault on the Havana area with the guerrilla forces in Cuba moving on the ground from these areas into the Havana area also." 37- Expenditures were rapidly running beyond the original estimates. The WH Division estimated operating costs for four weeks starting 1. July at $1,700,000 and for the fiscal year at approximately $25,000,000. On 19 August an additional $10,000,000