◆ SpookStack

TOPfCRET turn and took off immediately and all C-46's and B-26's returned directly to MADD. LUI The most accurate story of the air operation mounted by the Agency, however, comes from the princi- pal eye witness to the actual operation against Puerto Barrios, C. W. (Connie) Seigrist, who had initially ferried one of the B-26's to Guatemala from the Agency's operations in the Far East, Seigrist has written: I believe the Guatemalan Army Colonel who was in charge of our base informed us of the revolt. This was late in the after- noon [of 13 November 60]. I offered my services, if needed, in support of President Ydigoras. So did some of the Cubans. We felt what we were working for would all go down the tubes if the revolt was successful and we were exposed. Late at night, our offer was accepted. The Guatemalan Air Force refused to participate. I flew a B-26 with a Cuban pilot-observer named Crespo (he was lost later flying a B-26 at the Bay of Pigs). I strafed and , . rocketed the airfield at Puerto Barrios to soften the field for the C-46's that were carrying the Cuban troops who were to repluse a revolt. The Guatemalan Air Force Colonel, Antonio Batres, asked me later to fly cover for Guatemala army troops who were flown into some airfields in the mountains to counterattack a part of the revolt. Although I flew cover, no close . support action was required of me. I flew alone. Also, later Col. Batres asked me to patrol the entire southwest portion along the coast of Guatemala and to fire - 40 - TOPt-RET