◆ SpookStack

was a rather significant modification of the language which appeared in this cable from Col. Jack Hawkins's cable from TIDE of the same date (but at l802Z) in response to a Headquarters request concerning the readiness of the Cuban Brigade. In the much publicized cable of 13 April 1961 Hawkins stated among other things the following: Germosen {Lt. Col. George Gaines, USAF] informed me today that he considers the B-26 squadron equal to the best US Air Force squadron. 21/ The "best US Air Force squadron" is not necessarily the same as "any comparable selection USAF pilots." Eddy Ferrer, although not a B-26 pilot, wrote that the whole situation surrounding the target brief- ings highly irritated the Cubans. He pointed out that when the Constellation carrying the VIP contingent arrived, they met exclusively with US personnel t? layout the strike plan. Ferrer says that the Cubans were totally excluded and ignored, despite the fact that it was their country, their fight, and, moreover, they had a better knowledge of the terrain and the people than the Americans who were taking full charge of the show. Ferrer stressed that there were nearly - 195 -