◆ SpookStack

..;pOP SE(1{'tT rather more positive recollection of the change in concept, having noted: That decision as to the character of the operation was rather gradually modi- fied during the late autumn [of 1960], and it's very difficult, even for someone who was close to those developments, to put a finger on the exact moment when a clear decision was made, or the circum- stances, or, really, the people who made it. It was a decision rather forced by circumstances. 23/ When discussing the situation in October of 1975, however, Bissell volunteered the following observations about the change in concept for the operation. He said: One of the clearest impressions I have of the whole planning period and of this change in concept was that by November [1960] .•. and I don't think Esterline bought this view either as completely or as soon as I did ••• I [also] remember the feeling that I was well ahead of King ... in my belief that we had to place nearly exclusive reliance for the initial phase on whatever force it was possible to land. So, I also reme~ber very clearly -- and I think as early as November -- ~here I think there were probably under 500 people in the brigade in training _.~ I remember repeatedly saying to Hawkins and Esterline that if we are really going to have to place this heavy reliance on a landing force, this is an all together prepos- terously inadequate number ... I remember being told that people did not see how it would be feasible to get up to the size I was talking about in the time period; but secondly ... I have a clear recollection that he [Jack Hawkins] had a lesser sense - 163 - lOP SELRE 1