3/11/1961

“MAR 11, 1961: At a White House meeting between 10:05 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., Richard Bissell [CIA Deputy Director for Plans] presents the CIA’s Proposed Operation Against Cuba to President [John F.] Kennedy. The paper provides four alternative courses of action involving the commitment of the paramilitary force being readied by the U.S. These include the course of action favored by the CIA -the Trinidad Plan that involves ‘an amphibious/airborne assault …. to seize a beachhead contiguous to terrain suitable for guerrilla operations,’ with a landing of the ‘provisional government …as soon as the beachhead had been secured.’ The invading force is expected to repulse attacks by [Fidel] Castro militia with substantial losses to the attacking forces followed by defections from the armed forces and widespread rebellion. If the actions are unsuccessful in detonating a major revolt, the assault force would retreat to the contiguous mountain area and continue operations as a powerful guerrilla force. The assault, combined with a diversionary landing, according to the CIA plan, has the potential for administering a demoralizing shock that could lead to the prompt overthrow of the Castro regime. If not, guerrilla action could be continued on a sizable scale in favorable terrain.”

“The Bay of Pigs Invasion/Playa Giron: A Chronology of Events,” The National Security Archive, NSArchive2.gwu.edu