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the cancellation order as it plied to strikes against Cuban airfields. a. There would be a great risk of loss of one or more of the ships as they withdrew from the beach. This would be serious but not catastrophic provided that the unloading had proceed- ed as scheduled and all planned unload- ing had occurred by daylight. In view of the fact that this was a night land- ing and close timing was required, it was pointed out that the probability of smooth performance here was doubtful. (As it turned out, the unloading was not accomplished in the time planned.) b. The disembarked forces in the beachhead would be subjected to a heavier scale of air attack than would otherwise have been the case. In view of the fact that the Cuban Air Force was inadequate for massive air attacks, the attacks to be expected under the new circumstances would be damaging to these forces but not decisive. c. Failure essentially to neutralize the Cuban Air Force very early on D-Day would have its most serious effect on the use of the Expeditionary Air Force's B-26s to isolate the battlefield. The B-26s were being counted upon to attack approaching Cuban ground and Naval ele- ments and close-in artillery and tanks. No fighter cover was being provided for the B-26s and they would thus face the prospect of serious attrition during these battlefield operations. The beach- head could then be overwhelmed by the superior surface attack which could be brought against it. d. Loss of efficiency would result from this late change of orders. - 270 -