◆ SpookStack

TOPfRET Some of the airfield buildings were sup- posed to be holding hostages, but the field proper with its supply sheds and such were pulverized. We strafed ditches, bushes, or anything where someone could find cover ~lose enough to the runway to harass the C-46's that were to land with the Cuban troops. We never were informed of KIA or wounded counts. We did hear that a couple of Americans on the ground watched Bill and I at a safe distance and reported that we did a tremendous job -- whatever that might mean. Three C-46's were involved. [They were] flown by Cubans. One C-46 landed. As it was rolling to a stop, the Cuban troops started firing out the doors and escape hatches. The pilot thought he had landed in a trap and continued to take off with- out ever having come to a stop. They re- fused (all three C-46's) to land after that and returned to Retalhuleu with all other troops still aboard. I would guess around 100 troops were involved. I can only estimate at what I saw. As to Agency trainers -- here, again, time has slipped my memory -- but I believe their American Commander was on one of the C-46's, but not the C-46 that landed. He was still the sa~e Commander for the Bay of Pigs.* * This is a reference to Lt. Col. Frank Egan, the PM trainer. Egan's version of the incident is somewhat different than Seigrists. In his testimony to the Taylor Committee Egan said: President Ydigoras requested that we make an airborne landing, which we did. I was in command of the outfit. Washing- ton gave us permission to do this, but I operated under the Mission Chief in Guate- maId. (footnote continued on following page)