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_.. ©. wes POP SEC E Beach was at the right flank, with Blue Beach at the center. The lodgment to be seized was thus a coastal strip about ho miles long, separated from the interior by an impassable swamp penetrated only by three roads from the north and flanked by a coastal road from the east. -90. In the early hours of 17 April Cuban underwater demoli- tion teams, each led by an American contract employee, went ashore to mark Red and Blue Beaches. Each of these parties engaged in fire fights with small enemy forces but accomplished their tasks, | and the troops began moving ashore in small aluminum boats and IcUs. Before daylight small militia forces were encountered at both beaches. These offered little opposition, and many of the militiamen were quickly captured. 91. Not long after daylight the airborne infantry company was successfully parachuted from C-h6 aircraft to four of the five scheduled drop zones where its elements were given the mission of sealing off approach roads. : 92. At dawn began the enemy air attacks which the project chiefs had aimed to prevent by the planned dawn strikes with Nicaragua-based aircraft against Castro's fields. Action by Castro's B-26s, Sea Furies, and jet T-33s resulted. in the sinking of a supply ship, the beaching of a transport, and damage to an - IcI. The plan for a landing at Green Beach was thereupon abandoned, and these troops, with their tanks and vehicles were put ashore at Blue Beach. Shipping withdrew to the south under continuous air attack. ea Se Sa Se ee See ea ee TEA eh: