TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CONSTRUCTION IN THE LAOTIAN PANHANDLE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04560A006200010042-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 10, 2000
• Sequence Number: 42
• Publication Date: March 1, 1968
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved FW 0/06/30 : CIA-RDP78B04560A406200010042-4
NO FOREIGN DISSEM 25X1 C
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION MEMORANDUM
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
NETWORK CONSTRUCTION
IN THE
LAOTIAN PANHANDLE
GROUP I EXCLUDED FROM
AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
Approved For ReleastdRM (I APIA-RDP78BO456OA0 6200010042-4
NO FOREIGN DISSEM 25X1 C
 Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006200010042-4
This document contains information affecting
the national defense of the United States,
within the meaning of Title 18, sections
793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as amended.
Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is
prohibited by law.
Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006200010042-4
 RECORD
COPY
COPY NO.
PUB. DATE
LOCATION
MASTER
DATE RECEIVED
LOCATION
I I
D (
X I MUM /a
CUT TO
COPIES 25
DATE
7-70
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
COPIES DESTROYED
CUT TO
COPIES 10
DATE n
~] 1 -72
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
CUT TO
COPIES 0
DATE
-
MASTER
DATE
DATE
NUMBER OF COPIES
DATE
NUMBER OF COPIE
MO.
DAY
YR.
RECEIVED OR ISSUED
RECD
ISO 'O
BAL
MO.
DAY
YR.
RECEIVED OR ISSUED
RECD
ISS 'O
BA
13
1L.
68
Dist. Unit
51
51
1
68
PER
1
50
7
--
v
14
C
Alf f c---
y
G
a4l
3~'
ti
le
/ft
.2.
X r
IL
/10
Q
-
-Ap
proved For Release 20
00/01
3/30
CIA
R
778
04
60O'~OOB2O001
TITLE SE
NpIC/R-L16/68 Marnh 10A
 DATE
NUMBER OF COPIES
DATE
EIVED OR ISSUED
RE
NUMBER OF COPIES
DAY
YR.
RECEIVED OR ISSUED
REC 'D
ISS 'D
BAL
MO ..
DAY
YR.
C
REC ' D
ISS 'D
SAL
d or R
Approve
-d F
leas
e 20
0/0
/30
: C
A-
DP78B04560A006200
100
2-4
Approved For R
lea
a 20
0/0
/30
: Cl
-
DP78BOm?,006200
1001
2-4
TLE SEC.
 Approved F?bF' &[% %
N PIC/R-46/68
60A006200010042-4
25X1 C
TELECOMMUNICATIONS NWEWORK CONSTRUCTION IN THE LAOTIAN PANHANDLE
Analysis of recent aerial photography indicates that the communists
are constructing two extensive networks of open-wire telecommunications
lines in the Laotian Panhandle. For the sake of clarity in this and future
photographic interpretation reports, NPIC will identify these networks as
Laos/South Vietnam Lines 1 and 2, with branch lines indicated by alpha
designators in order of identification. A geographical presentation of the
traces involved reveals these lines generally parallel the major communist
logistics routes through the same area and, as such, are ideally situated to
serve both major communist logistics bases in this section of Laos and enemy
units operating in the Khe Sanh and A Shau Valley areas of South Vietnam.
The first indication of this extensive new telecommunications construc-
25X1D tion was observed on photography of Continuing analysis of
photography since that time has shown the networks to be extended as
indicated on the map, page 2. The scope of these traces, the amount of
effort, and the speed with which the communists have constructed these lines
through the rainforest points up their importance to the communists.
La/VS Line 1 is an apparent extension of the previously existing line
(North Vietnam Line 3, NPIC/R-26766) extending through the Demilitarized
Zone into Laos. From a point 13 nm west of the DMZ, Line 1 extends general-
ly south, passing through the Ban Dong area, which is an identified staging
area on the main route to Khe Sanh. The trace continues south, crossing
Route 914, where it turns generally east to a point near the Laos/South
Vietnam border, approximately 1.8 nm south of a new unnumbered road being
constructed by the enemy (see maps, pages 3 and 5). This road, which extends
east from Route 92, was probably used by both the artillery units which
attacked Ban Houei Sane on 23 Jan 68 and the tanks used in the attack at
Lang Vei on 7 Feb 68 (see NPIC/R-31+/68). After a six-nm gap, Line 1 extends
southeast, generally paralleling the Se Pone (river), crosses Route 922, to
a point at 16-14N 107-OOE where it turns east-northeast and after seven nm
(including a three-nm gaps crosses the Laos/South Vietnam border into South
Vietnam. The line continues east-northeast and terminates in the A Shau
Valley, 21+ nm from Hue. Branch lA, a nine-nm line (six nm discernible),
will apparently connect to Tine 1 and serve forces in the Ban Dong - Ban
Houei Sane area (see maps, pages 3 and 5).
La/VS Line 2 extends approximately 13 nm generally southeast from a
point near the junction of Routes 911 and 912, parallels Route 9112, then
Route 911, to a point on Route 91. After an eight-nm gap, the line is again
observed, approximately seven nm west of Sepone, which has long been used as
a major staging area for the infiltration of supplies through the southern
Laotian Panhandle. The trace roughly parallels Route 911+, then Route 92
Approved For Release Z@WF48'm-IQTIJkLA-RDP78B04560A006200010042-4
NO FOREIGN DISSEM 25X1 C
 Approved For Release 2000/06
NPIC/R-46/68
6?0010042-4
(Figure 1), to the Ban Bac area of Laos. Branch 2A extends east from Line
2 at 16-14N 106-39E, near the junction of Routes 92 and 922, generally
parallels Route 922 (including a three-nm gap), and crosses the Laos/South
Vietnam border adjacent to the Line 1 border crossing at 16-17N 107-07E.
From this point, Branch 2A extends southeast approximately four nm toward
Ta Bat Airfield in the A Shau Valley. It is interesting to note that
although a nine-nm segment (including the common three-nm gap) of Branch 2A
parallels and in some instances is adjacent to Line 1, separate traces are
maintained throughout this segment (Figure 2), indicating that the two lines
remain independent of each other.
HA NOI 4g
rrr
NORTH
VIETNAM
HAI NAN
NPIC M-264&
Approved For Release 2000/06/~bN~I Jfl l8B04560A006200010042-4
NO FOREIGN DISSEM 25X1 C
 Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78B04560A006200010042-4
m
LAIVS
CON19DE
SNITU VIETNAM
Page 3
CONFID F AVease 0010613 CIA-RDP7
fikli" I
 Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006200010042-4 CONFILi E lTIAL
NO FOREIGN D!SSFM
25X1 D
25X1C
mom
FIGURE 1, TELECOMMUNICATIONS TRACE APPROXIMATELY 22 NM NORTH OF BAN BAC, LAOS
25X1 C
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006200010042-4
 LA/VS
LINE 2
ROUTE 92
- CIA-RDP78BO456OA006200010042-4
Appro for Release 20001 30
on' AL-'
NO FOREIGN DtSSEM
25X1 C
MOP=
LVS'
LEE 1
LA VS
LINE 2
45
agar, .,~~
RMTE 921,
ROUTE 922
N B A t
NM
rCONFJDENTIA
Approved For RAlease 220
0AMA010042-4
25X1 D
ROUTE 548-
A LUOII`
 Approved For Releasseo OMMA
25X1 D
?Q9 9O42-4
FIGURE 2. TELECOMMUNICA [IONS TRACES APPROXIMATELY 8 NM IK().A
I HE LAOS SOUT1I VIETNAM BORDER
Approved For Release 2000/06/3df
00010042-4
25X1 C
 Approved For Releaf,l,QP 006200010042-4
Approved For Release 20 T 1 -RDP78B04560A006200010042-4
NO FOREIGN DISSEM ONP PMF ~ 25X1 C