The assault ended within an hour, but the pilots did not empty their full load, which would have been sufficient to level the palace. On a cloudy day, they flew at low altitudes of around , completing cycles before ascending above the clouds. Diệm and his family escaped unhurt, with three servants killed and thirty injured.
The assault was short-lived, but the pilots did not use their full arsenal, which would have been enough to destroy the palace. On a cloudy day, they flew at low altitudes of around , completing cycles before rising above the clouds. Diệm and his family were spared, with three servants killed and thirty others injured.