Cryptonym: NICK

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Definition:
NICK was the field cryptonym for Gualan, Guatemala, during Operation PBSUCCESS. Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS), 1952-1954: Guatemala, stated that NICK was Gualan.
Status:
Documented
Sources:

Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954: Guatemala: Current Section: Abbreviations and Cryptonyms

Page xvi: ..."Nick, Gualan, Guatemala..."

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000136174.pdf

05/31/54: Cable from LINCOLN to Director: Slugline RYBAT PBSUCCESS: FOR BANNISTER/CADICK (probably John Doherty/William Robertson): "1. Review all info sent by LINC (dispatches/cables) to GUAT and (REDACTION) for SEMANTIC (probably Domingo Goicolea Villacorta); also info from these (REDACTION); clearly indicate only following data likely to have been compromised: A. Arms ingress plans for NICK, BOND (Puerto Barrios) and rail tank car. B. All DZ's for air cargo drops. C. Grid maps. D. Sealed letters from Calligeris (Carlos Castillo Armas) contents unknown. 2. Need to know from Cadick nature of and what target data forwarded to SEMANTIC plus any additional data not mentioned above. 3. Request GUAT advise what radio gear if any passed to SEMANTIC. Also any additional data not mentioned above. 4. Request field comment on what code could have been seized and what identities would likely be in his files. 5. Important to establish what info has been compromised before considering resumption of operations. Above data does not purport to represent all known to SEMANTIC but only that most likely to have been retained in his files."

Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954: Guatemala: Current Section: 214. 6/20/54-Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency

06/20/54: Memorandum prepared in the CIA: ..."7. We cannot confirm that either Puerto Barrios or San Jose has fallen to the Armas forces, but it is clear that there have been uprisings in these and other cities. A bridge on the key railroad line between Guatemala City and Puerto Barrios is reliably reported to have been damaged near Gualan..."

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000136294.pdf

06/25/54: Cable from LINCOLN to Director: Slugline RYBAT PBSUCCESS: FOR CADICK (William Robertson) AND BRODFROST: "1. Analysis available info indicates enrmy preparing pincer move with about battalion on each point: North prong came in from ADAM (Guatemala City) to NICK by rail/overland to HANK (Zacapa, Guatemalan Base): South prong came in from ADAM to Ipala to Chiquimula. 2. Probable mission to hold fronts at HANK and Chiquimula while enveloping both flanks in effort to pocket all resistance. 3. Both prongs would be capable of counter support laterally along rail line. 4. Use air on all points of enemy concentration. Interdict lateral line between two strong points. Chiquimula appears to be enemy's strongest point. 5. Believe army moral will not hold under air attack. Imperative you discontinue use of 'surrender' term and use 'join liberation.' Our object is to defect army not conquer it."

Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954: Guatemala: Current Section: 274. 7/8/54-Memorandum From William Robertson of Operation PBSUCCESS to the Chief of the Project

07/08/54: Memorandum from William Robertson of Operation PBSUCCESS to the Chief of the Project: Subject: PM OPERATION: ..."III. The Operation: On the evening of the 18th all shock troops crossed the line at first darkness as scheduled. Throughout the 19th reporting was sketchy. On the 20th (REDACTION) passed Tenedores. (REDACTION) captured Camotan after a short fight with only one casualty. (REDACTION) took Esquipulas with no fight. At this point we picked up 400 recruits for the (REDACTION) group. (REDACTION) was reported at Carta Blanca. (REDACTION) departed the (REDACTION) group. The Gualan sabotage team cut the rail bridge between Zacapa and Puerto Barrios. Indications are that communications cuts Jutiapa to Guatemala City, San Jose to Guatemala City, Puerto Barrios to Guatemala City and Zacapa to Guatemala City were successful at this time. (REDACTION) bombed tanks at San Jose and Retalhuleu. On the 21st (REDACTION) was resupplied four miles out of Gualan, indicating that he was not where he was supposed to be. He was resupplied during the daylight hours. (REDACTION) joined (REDACTION) and his instructions were to break away when Quezaltepeque was taken and go to Jutiapa. (REDACTION) was moving toward Vado Hondo. (REDACTION) captured Jocotan after a small fight with the local garrison. (REDACTION) captured one half of Puerto Barrios and controlled the communications from Puerto Barrios to Guatemala City. (REDACTION) captured Morales, Bananera and Los Amates. (REDACTION) bombed the tanks at Puerto Barrios. On the 22nd (REDACTION) sent an advance party into Gualan, which party became engaged with the opposition. He took the remainder of his forces to support the engagement and after winning, he remained in Gualan...On the 23rd (REDACTION) met a superior force at Gualan consisting of the majority of the reinforced Zacapa Command. His radio operator was incapacitated and the radio destroyed, (REDACTION) retreating to a point near La Union..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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