◆ SpookStack

into any grouping of people or vehicles. I patrolled most of the day, stopping to refuel once, but no action was required as there wasn't a soul or vehicle in sight. I flew alone. 44/* Among other details provided by Seigrist was the fact that two B-26's were involved in the Puerto Barrios action, the second being flown by W. H. Beale, who also had flown a B-26 in from the Far East. Seigrist" flew a total of four sorties, including one to Puerto Barrios, one in the mountains, and two along the coast. Except for the operation in the mountains when he re- fueled at Guatemala City National Airport, Seigrist confined his flights to Retalhuleu. With reference to the actual strike, Seigrist noted as follows: Our targets were restricted by Col. Batres in the Puerto Barrios sortie. * There is support for Seigrist's comments re the Guatemalan Air Force in the cable traffic. Cables to Washington from both I I and the Ambassador indi- cated that the Air Force officers were unhappy about both using the Cubans and shooting their fellow Guate- malans. In a meeting of the Special Group, Livingston Merchant of State regarded this matter "with extreme gravity, commenting that it might well lead President Ydigoras to withdraw permission for us to continue in Guatemala." 45/ Inasmuch as Ydigoras had already de- cided.that his control of the government depended on support from JMADD (and JMTRAV) Merchant's fears seem unwarranted.