HW 54756 FBI File Review - MIRR...page 6 #97-4474 - Section 1 of 7 (Cont'd) Serials 1-60 1960-63 13. 14. 15. 16. December 12, 1963 memo to J. Walter Yeagley from Director states CIA has advised MIRR is not a CIA operation. Information Report from CIA - September 11, 1963 Source: Trained observer with access to wide variety of Cuban exiles. Source is known to most of his contacts as a channel to U.S. Intelligence from Bill Johnson. Field Comment: Previously reported Cuban exiles may be planning air strike against.MIG base in Cuba. Strike to involve 2 rocket-armed aircraft which were to stage from airfield in Georgia used by agriculture fumigation aircraft. Two aircraft being sold for total sum of $16,000 to Bill Johnson by Aero Enterprises, Inc. of La Porte, Indiana. Have no equipment and not armed. Johnson has napalm loaded drop tanks which he will attach in La Porte. Information Report from CIA dated 7 and 8 September 1963. Re: Details on 9/7/63 bombing mission and leaflet drop in Camaguey Province by MIRR. ‘Bill Johnson, an American, has full control over all MIRR operations. Orlando Bosch supplies the money which he obtains from Chiri Mendoza. Neither Bosch nor Mendoza knows the exact nature of the mission until it has been completed and until they are advised by Johnson. MIRR has gained confidence over last three raids, but Johnson is a little worried about his next plan because the target is of a military nature and could cause inter- national repercussions and/or bring them under prosecution on the Neutrality J Act. Information Report - CIA - September 10, 1963 Source: Cuban exile trained in techniques of information gathering -- unidentified member: of MIRR. Says initial funds for first raid on Camaguey were given to Bosch by Paulino A. Sierra from funds which Sierra has received from U.S. gambling interests in Chicago. (Note: Bosch was in Chicago for fund-raising in September 1963 -- see item 12 of these notes.) Frank Nelson of Miami area gave Bosch down payment for September 7 raid at a meeting in a Hollywood, Fiorida motel. Docld: 32274684270 Page 16
HW 54756 FBI File Review - MIRR...page 7 #97-4474 - Section 1 of 7 (Cont'd) Serials 1-60 - 1960-63 17. Domestic Intelligence Division - Informative Note November 13, 1963 PreSident will be in Cape Canaveral 11/16/63 for speech and will spend weekend 11/16-17/63 in Palm Beach and speak in Tampa 11/18/63. Bosch is leading anti- Castro Cuban who has conducted raids against Cuba. We have previously received information anti-Castro Cubans considering picketing President in Florida. We ..¥ advised Secret Service and White House detail. DoclId: 32246420 Page 17
HW 54756 FBI File Review - MIRR...page 8 5/19/78 Palmer #97-4474 Section 2 of 7 Serials 61-116 1. Domestic Intelligence Note - 12/28/63 and cable of same date detail planned bombing raid against Cuba by MIRR in boat Ebb Tide. Person in charge of operation, named Evelio Alpizar Perez, in fact was FBI informant. Bill Johnson involved in this raid. A Piper Aztec plane also involved in plan and U.S. Customs plan to seize it on. afternoon of December 29, 1963. FAA also alerted. Report dated 12/18/63 - details plans for raid over Cuba. Johnson obtained plane. Alpizar flew it in test flight December 16-17. Bombs to be transported by boat to Bimini. Bombing expert is.Orlando Ramirez. Further info in this file on subject raid as follows: William Johnson - DPOB: February 11, 1931, New York, N.Y. White male, 6'1", 250 lbs., married, 3 children Occupation 1963 - Car salesman and airplane pilot - Miami area Supplied information to CIA in 1963 re MIRR. Information Report - CIA - dated 30 October 1963 - Re: Bill Johnson's proposed use of pilot Harry Manning in Future Independent Air Strikes over Cuba. Report #CS DB-3/658, 401 Date Distr.: 11 December 1963 Field Report No. UFG-4183 Place and Date Acq.: United States, Miami; 14 November 1963 Source: Trained observer with access to a wide variety. of Cuban exiles, source is known to most of his contacts as a channel to U.S. Intelligence. This information was obtained from Frank Fiorini. On 30:O0ctober 1963 Jack Griffin told Frank Fiorini, an American pilot who has been involved in the planning of air strikes over Cuba, that Bill Johnson has decided to use Harry Manning in any future independent raids over Cuba instead of Griffin... Griffin remarked that he has been "burned out" by Johnson who wants to use someone less known than Griffin. Docld:322746470 Page 13
FBI File Review - MIRR...page 9 #97-4474 - Section 2 of 7 Serials 61-116 4. CIA. Intelligence Information Cable - 17-19 January 1964 TDCS DB 3/659,217 Distr.: 26 January 1964 Re: Possible Air Strike Against Cuba by the MIRR to Originate in British Honduras Source: (Same as #3 above -- Frank Fiorini.) Since Bosch's raid against Cuba blocked by Customs agents on 31 December '63, Bosch against organizing a new effort. However, on 1/19/64 Bosch raising money for new project. Project to originate from British Honduras. 5. CIA Intelligence Info Cable 23 January 1964 TDCS DB 3/659, 208 Distr.: 25 January 1964 ‘Place: U.S., Miami (24 January '64) Source: Same as 3 and 4 -. Fiorini Bill Johnson tells Fiorini he wanted to be seen with him over weekend January 25-26 because there would be an air strike over Cuba and Johnson wanted a witness that he was not in the plane. Johnson said pilot would be a Cuban. 6. FBI did mail check on the following in March 1964 to obtain information about their source of funds. Thirty-day check. MIRR . Laredo Gonzalo Rodriguez Dr. Orlando Bosch Avila 7. March 26, 1964 - Airtel to Director from SAC, Miami Outlines reliability of their informant (deleted) in the past and states that Bosch has confidence in him -- a 4-page memo asking headquarters to reconsider "and approve Alpizar for development as a PSI." Wash. denies request on 3/30/64 because he has history of past mental instability and propensity to become involved in anti- Castro matters would make him difficult to control. 8. Report from Miami - March 28, 1964 Subject: MIRR Informant states MIRR now cooperating with Commandos L which is under leadership of Antonio Cuesta and Ramon Font. Says Bosch interested in long-range plan of establishing base of operations in Dominican Republic. HW 54756 DBocld:3227464270 Page 19
FBI File Review - MIRR...page 10 #97-4474 - Section 2 of 7 Serials 61-116 — 9. April 3, 1964 - Memo from J. Walter Yeagley to Director-FBI says CIA informed him on March 30, 1964 that neither MIRR nor Commandos L was. CIA operation. 10. Teletype dated 5/11/64 to Director from Miami Bosch plans joint sea and air attack raid to sink "Las Villas," a Cuban freighter recently departed from France with load of heavy equipment. Attack planned off coast of South Florida. Jerry Fuller, brother of Bobby Fuller who was executed by Fidel Castro, is involved. 1l. May 21, 1964 report. on.MIRR: states U.S. Customs seized a homemade torpedo from car of Orlando Bosch on May 12. “Source says a floating explosive mine had been transported to Palm Beach to be used against Las Villas. HW 54756 Docld:322746420 Page 20
FBI File Review - MIRR...page 11 #97-4474 - Section 3 of 7. 5/19/78 Serials 117-165 ; Palmer | l. Report from Miami 5/27/64 Las Villas changed its course and did not approach South Coast of Florida -- Bosch calls off planned mission. 2. June 24, 1964 report on MIRR Informant says Bosch has $3,000 for another air attack which he hopes to carry out June 27-28, 1964 -- using airstrip in Bahamas. Target is sugar mill near city of Punta Alegre, Camaguey Province. 3. UPI press story reports Ministry of Armed Forces, Cuba announced they had shot down a "pirate" plane which had dropped bombs on a sugar mill. Bosch said he feared it was an MIRR plane. 4. Teletype to Director from Miami ~ 6/24/64 Informant says plane shot down was sponsored by MIRR and there were no survivors. (Other reports say two crew members hospitalized.) 5. June 30, 1964 - Airtel to Director from Miami Says Customs placing 24-hour surveillance on Bosch and other leading MIRR personalities anticipating another raid over Cuba might be attempted June 27 or 28. 6. 11/22/64 - Washington Post and Times Herald, Washington, D.C. papers, carried story in which MIRR claimed responsibility of air attack over Cuban baseball stadium in assassination _ plot against Castro. Castro had not arrived at stadium at time of attack. 7. 1/14/65 - Report from Miami Informant says Bosch continues as head of MIRR but not operating out of his residence. Planning a bombing raid against Cuba sometime after January 3, 1965. Bosch said MIRR sympathizers in Puerto Rico were contributing to the organization. 8. January 19, 1965 Report from Miami Subject: MIRR Miami Herald, on 1/18/65 contained MIR press release in which MIRR claimed a bombing raid against all cane fields from Niagara sugar mill to westernmost regions of island on 1/17/65. Informant doubts press release is true. HW 54756 Docld:322746420 Page 271
HW 54756 FBI File Review - MIRR...page 12 5/19/78 #97-4474 - Section 4 of 7 Palmer Serials 166-224 Intelligence Information Cable - Feb. 2, 1965 TDCS DB 315/00379-65 Alleged Abortive Air Raid over Cuba by MIRR Source: Bill Johnson Jack Wright on first leg of air strike over Cuba when plane crashed and he was killed -- on landing attempt at Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island, February 2, 1965. Wright had flown this plane on January 17, 1965 when MIRR bombed Niagara sugar mill in Pinar del Rio Province. Intelligence Info Cable - 20 February 1965 TDCS DB 315/00652-65 Re: MIRR. Intention to Bomb Havana Source: Bill Johnson Johnson says Bosch still planning to bomb Havana against Johnson's advice. Johnson admitted his motivation purely mercenary. Says MIRR planes leaving from U.S. -- close to Tampa. Says when he gets plane and pilot, they are contracted for three missions -- are American pilots, Since Cuban pilots "don't have the guts." Although Cuba has not acknowledged it, MIRR did raid Bahia Honda on February 13. March 2, 1965 teletype to Washington from Miami Bosch suspected of sending extortion letter to Julio Cesar Iglesias. He desperately needs money for MIRR. CIA Intelligence Info Cable - 29-30 March 1965 TDCS DB 315/01108-65 Source: Member of Cuban emigree group who provide. useful reports As of 29 March 1965, MIRR had collected $22,000 in Puerto Rico and planned to bomb a sugar refinery in Cuba. After raid, MIRR will hold press conference and announce formation of a government in arms, possibly represented by Bosch. Such government to be recognized by Dominican Republic. Docld:3227468470 Page 22
HW 54756 FBI File Review - MIRR...page 13 #97-4474 - Section 4 of 7 Serials 166-224 June 15, 1965 - Radiogram to Director from Miami Bosch holds press conference and announces he found concealed microphone in his office. Says it was such an elaborate device it must have been placed by. agency of. U.S. - .government but did not specify. ‘Also claimed MIRR responsible for running Cuban vessel "Aracelio Iglesias" aground on June 11 near Panama canal. July 29, 1965 -. Report from Tampa, SA William C. Hay Federal Grand Jury in Tampa meeting on June 23, 1965 indicted Bosch, Jose Diaz. Morejon, Marcos Rodriguez Ramos and Gerulio Guiterrez on charges of conspiracy to illegally export war munitions. Charges against William J. Johnson and Frank Rafferty were dismissed. All were arrested by Customs on June 10, 1965 near Orlando, Florida while allegedly planning air attack on Cuba. Docld:32246420 Page 23
HW 54756 FBI File Review June. 1, 1978 PAGE 14} MIRR - continued. SECTION 5 - #97-4474 - Serials 225-283 Information note dated 8/17/65 Bosch awaiting trial on Customs charge of conspiring to illegally export arms following his indictment on 6/23/65. Miami report 8/20/65 #MM 105-2855 Subject: MIRR On July 30, 1965, a Cuban exile reported that some MIRR members said RECE and MIRR had been meeting to discuss a cooperative pact. Participants included Orlando Bosch, Freyre and Jorge Mas Canosa. Report to Attorney General from Director, FBI, dated 10/18/65 Orlando Bosch claims MIRR frogmen responsibie, for bomb damage to Spanish vessell "Satrustegui”" in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 10/9/65. Stated MIRR will attack, sabotage, destroy and sink ships of England and Spain because of their trade with Cuba. ; Airtel to SAC, Miami and San Juan from Director, dtd 1/24/65 Indicates that CIA has furnished information that Commandos L and MIRR are planning raids against Cuba. #97-4474-258 Report from Miami dated 12/17/65 Subject: MIRR - Bosch and Marcelino Garcia Jimenez arrested by FBI on 11/25/65 and charged with extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion against some fellow Cuban exiles. Bosch out on bond and Garcia released on his own recognizance. Informant information that Bosch planning to sabatoge oil tanker, "world Sincerity" while the tanker is in Puerto Rico. SECTION 6 - #97-4474 - Serials 284-354 1. Airtel to Director from SAC, Miami dated 2/28/66 Subject: MIRR (Serial 284) Informant says Bosch asked him to pilot a plane on a planned bombing raid over Cuba -- target to be Nuevitas, a sugar exporting town. Bosch said he had a wealthy backer. SAC Miami Docld:3227468470 Page 24
HW 54756 MIRR - June 1, 1978 Page @ 1S suggests it is Jose "Pepin" Bosch because a close confident of his, Jose Antonio Mulet, had money to pay informant for piloting services. (Note: attack did take place and MIRR took credit on 9/29/66). 2. ‘Airgram to Director from Miami, dated 4/22/66 On 4/22/66, U.S. Customs advised Bosch, Jose Antonio Mulet Gonzalez and another Cuban national arrested by Collier County Florida Sherrif for possession of bombs and ex- plosives. (An informant, who was to be the pilot, had kept FBI informed of a planned attack on Cuba. FBI worked with Customs to thwart raid and protect informant.) Memo to J.: Walter Yeagley from Director, dated 6/22/66 Subject: MIRR Informant says Bosch has 20 men located in various ports in the United States under orders to place ezplosives on vessels trading with Cuba. Also.says MIRR planning to attack a vessel on the high seas. Report from Miami, dated 11/22/66 Subject: MIRR Bosch claims MIRR responsible for bombing raid of a Cuban nitroglycerine plant at Matanzas, Cuba. Airgram to Director from Miami, dated 11/29/67 Bosch disrupts Miami rally conducted by Dr. Enrique Huerta -- gains entrance to platform and demands to speak and make a presentation of a plaque to Panamanian Ambassador to OAS. Report from Miami dated 3/22/67 Subject: MIRR - SUMMARY OF ORLANDO BOSCH AVILA'S REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES March 17, 1961 Bosch sent boat, "Jolly Roger" on an expedition to Cuba. When it landed at Pinar del Rio, Cuba, five men went ashore and were arrested. August 15, 1963 Bosch claims it was an MIRR plane which flew over Nico Lopez oil refinery, dropped two bombs and returned to base in Central America. Docld: 32274684270 Page 25
HW 54756 MIRR File Review June 1, 1978 Page $/6 September 7, 1963 Radio Havana announced plane bombed Sta. Clara, Cuba; one person killed, three injured. Bosch claimed credit -- said 6 bombs dropped on sugar mill. December 28, 1963 ; U.S. Customs and U.S. Coast Guard sieze two boats carrying bombs, to be taken to Bimini, Bahamas for delivery. Customs sieze plane to be used in bombings two days later. Bosch said it was to be used in attack on 0il storage tanks at Nuevitas, Cuba. July 29, 1964 © : Customs sieze motor launch near Key West -- returning from aborted infiltration and supply mission to Cuba. Bosch said boat belonged to MIRR. May 1964 MIRR planned to torpedo Cuban merchant ship. Raid thwarted by Customs by siezing torpedo. June 19, 1964 Radio Havana said plane bombed sugar mill at Caibarien, Cuba and plane shot down. Mission flown for MIRR. June 19, 1964 Customs sieze plane at Lantana, Florida when Bosch seen transporting 4 bombs from car to plane. November 22, 1964 MIRR claimed unsuccessful raid made against stadium in Cuba where Castro was speaking. U.S. authorities doubt such a raid occurred. February 3, 1965 Miami radio station says MIRR bombed a sugar mill in Cuba. U.S. says no evidence of such a raid. June 10, 1965 Bosch arrested by Customs in possession of 18 bombs. Went on hunger strike. Acquitted June 2, 1966. June 11, 1965. Cuban and Norwegian ship collided near Panama Canal. Bosch claimed credit. Informed sources say claim completely untrue. October 9, 1965 ; Explosion near Spanish ship, Satrustegui in San Juan. Bosch claimed credit. Docld: 32274684270 Page 276
HW 54756 MIRR File Review June 1, 1978 Page #/4 November 25, 1965 Bosch indicted and arrested by FBI on charges of extortion. Tried in U.S. District Court, Miami, in fall of 1966 and found not guilty. March 8, 1966 Bosch and others picketed arrival of British Prince Phillip when he visited Miami. April 21, 1966 Bosch arrested in Naples, Florida for possessing and transporting explosives. On November 17, 1966, judge set aside guilty verdict and ordered a new trial. September 29, 1966 Radio Havana announced air raid against sugar mill in Nuevitas, Cuba. Bosch claimed credit. November 14, 1966 Radio Havana announced bombing of nitro plant at Matanzas, Cuba. Bosch claimed credit. January 15, 1967 Customs arrested three with airplane with bombs at Tamiami Airpot, Miami. Three were working for MIRR. April 14, 1967 Customs arrest Arthur Gerteite and Barbero Bolan Garcia at airport in Tifton, Georgia where they were attempting to fly bombing mission against Cuba. Bombs confiscated. Bolan arrested, Gerteite considered a co- conspirator but not arrested. Memo to Director from Tampa, dated 5/25/67 ‘MIRR officer in Tampa - Enrique Someillan, Coordinator. (In memo # 3 of Section 6, it is stated that one of the MIRR. informants for FBI is head of MIRR in Tampa.) Teletype to Director from New York, dated July 6, 1967. Source says Guillermo Novo of CNM (Cuban Nationalist Movement) planning an attempt on Castro's life if he appears at Expo 67 in Canada. If he does not appear, CNM in union with Bosch of MIRR will attempt to kidnap Cuban Ambassador to Canada and hold him in ransom for remaining nine Bay of Pigs prisoners. Also forming plans to kidnap Jose Llanusa, Minister of Sports and some Cuban athletes participating in Pan American games to be held in Winnipeg, Canada, July 27 - August 8, 1967. - Docld:3227464270 Page 27
HW 54756 FBI File Review - MIRR June 1, 1978 Page 3/8 SECTION 7 - #97-4474 - Serials 355-395 Information deals with MIRR/Bosch activities from July 1967 to June 1968 during which time Bosch was involved with the "Cuban Power Movement" and sending out messages under the signature of "Ernesto". His association with the Novo brothers is also documented. This material is not pertinent to this investigation, and redundant to the material read in the Orlando Bosch name file at the FBI, previously reviewed. Docld: 32274684270 Page 28 rei pane