Bibliography

Johnson, HB. "The Bay of Pigs." http://www.answers.com/topic/bay-of-pigs-invasion. http://www.answers.com/, n.d. Web. 28 May 2010.

Meyer, K. E. "The Cuban Invasion." http://www.answers.com/topic/bay-of-pigs-invasion. http://www.answers.com/, n.d. Web 28 May 2010.

"The Bay of Pigs."
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/JFK+in+History/JFK+and+the+bay+of+pigs.htm
http://www.jfklibrary.org/, 24 May 2010.

"Bay of Pigs Invasion." 2010. The History Channel website "
http://www.history.com/topics/bay-of-pigs-invasion. The History Channel website,
30, May 2010. Web. 28 may 2010

US Reaction Continued

Maxwell Taylor Survey: Maxwell D. Taylor, Robert F. Kennedy, Arleigh Burke, and Allen Dulles were asked by JFK to explain why the invasion went so wrong, and the lessons the US could learn from it.

The report stated that the defeat was the result of lack of early realization of the impossibility of success by covert means, inadequate aircraft, limitations of armaments, pilots and air attacks to attempt plausible deniability, and loss of important ships and ammunition.

November 1961, CIA inspector general Lyman B. Kirkpatrick wrote a report titled 'Survey of the Cuban Operation' that remained top secret until its eventual release in 1996.

The conclusions Kirkpatrick came to were:

1. The CIA exceeded its capabilities in developing the project from guerilla support to overt armed action without any plausible deniability.

2. Failure to realistically assess risks and to adequately communicate information and decisions internally and with other government principals.

3. Insufficient involvement of leaders of the exiles.

4. Failure to sufficiently organize internal resistance in Cuba.

5. Failure to competently collect and analyze intelligence about Cuban forces.

6. Poor internal management of communications and staff.

7. Insufficient employment of high-quality staff.

8. Insufficient Spanish-speakers, training facilities and material resources.

9. Lack of stable policies and contingency plans.

US Reaction

December 29 1962, John F. Kennedy attended a ceremony for Brigade 2506 veterans at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

Consequences: 1. Embarassed the Kennedy Administration

2. Castro is prepared to face any future US intrusions in Cuba

3. Huge blow to Cuban Resistance forces previously determined to fight Castro

4. Gave momentum to Castro's Revolution and other Soviet attempts at establishment and expansion

In a note to JFK, Che Guevara wrote "thanks for Playa Giron. Before the invasion the revolution was weak. Now its stronger than ever."

Prisoners Continued

September 8, 1961 fourteen former Brigade 2506 members were convicted of violent crimes committed before the invasion. Nine of whom were imprisoned for thirty years, and five of which were executed.

March 29 1962, 1,179 were indicted on charges of treason. on April 7, 1962 all of them were convicted and sent to prison for 30 years.

April 14 1962, 60 wounded and sick Brigade members were freed and sent to the U.S.

December 21 1962, US lawyer James B. Donovan and Fidel Castro decided on an agreement that exchanged 1,113 prisoners for $53 million in food and medical supplies.

December 24 1962, prisoners are transported to Miami or on the ship African Pilot with 1,000 family members granted permission to leave Cuba.

Prisoners

On April 18, 1961 in the Pinar del Rio province, two Americans hired by the CIA, Angus K. McNair and Howard F. Anderson were executed along with seven Cubans.

April-October 1961 hundreds of Cubans are executed. The invasion provoked the Cuban government to imprison and execute any resistance to Fidel Castro and his Communist government.

Students, ex-Battista supporters and soldiers, and underground members of the Cuban Resistance were rounded up and killed.

1,204 Brigade 2506 members were captured in the aftermath of the invasion. In May, 1961 Castro announces he will exchange the remaining prisoners for 500 farming tractors. He later changed the ransom to $28 million.

Casulties

Originally reported:

Cuban Armed Forces - 176 killed

Brigade 2506 + American: 10 exiles and 4 American airmen along with an American paratrooper.

Projected Actual Total:

Cuban: thought to be about 4,000-5,000 killed in entire conflict by American writers. Cuban writers report about 2,200 dead.

Continued

April 19, Brigade 2506 forces begin to retreat back to the beaches, due to low ammunition and no air support to combat Cuban tanks, artillery and infantry.

Two U.S. destroyers (USS Eaton and USS Murray) were ordered to evacuate the remaining Brigade forces, but were forced to retreat because of Cuban tank fire.

April 20, visual intelligence missions are launched, and boats are dispatched to find and rescue the scattered survivors on islands, reefs and beaches. Only about 24-30 are rescued.