EVALUATION OF REPORTED MILITARY ACTIVITY CHANTREA AREA, CAMBODIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300300020-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2000
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: April 1, 1964
• Content Type: REPORT

ILLEGIB
Approved For Release 2001/03/30 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300300020-7
Approved For Release 2001/03/30 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300300020-7
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SECRET
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NPIC/R-1184 /64
SUMMARY
This report, prepared at the request of the
Department of State, represents an NPIC evalua-
tion of a reported military area in Cambodia,
adjacent to the South Vietnam border and in the
vicinity of UTM coordinates XS290947. 1/. A
location map is provided in Figure 1. The area,
located 5 nm SSE of Chantrea, Cambodia (10-
52N 106-04E), is, generally flat, marshy land;
and is predominantly agricultural.
All coordinates and the border delineation
have been derived from AMS Series L509, sheet
NC 48-7, scale: 1:250,000.
The 13th Reconnaissance Tec finical Squad-
ron (RTS) report referenced above refers
to nine possible installations. Each of
these is commented on in the body of this
report.
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1. Area 1 (See Figure 2), reported as
probable command post /headquarters 1/, is a
major local farming development as evidenced
by a pattern of continued cultivation durin the
riod of photographic coverag
The reference report lists
one possible bunker located in the center of the
area, 3 revetted storage buildings, 2 possible
storage areas containing a total of 3 buildings
and 2 support buildings, a barrier of approxi-
mately 35 foxholes, approximately 15 AW em-
placements, a sawtooth trench and numerous
dispersed foxholes.
reveals the following: The
reported bunker contained a dwellin which has
been removed on photography of
_ The reported revetted storage buildings
appeaa to be farm buildings and outbuildings.
The purpose of the approximately 35 irregularly
spaced and aligned excavat ions, 'reported as a
barrier of 35 foxholes, has not been determined;
however, they may be used in planting trees for
a windbreak. Trees planted in these holes would
monsoon winds, al windbreak pattern commo ve etation on hotography of
the delta' area. l.A search of the surroun r ng and appear to
area shows that those areas of established local
.farming development have this windbreak pat-
tern. Similar orderly rows of holes can be ob-
served in several of the areas depicted in the
referenced report. The sawtooth tench appears
to be partially obscured by vegetation. The vege-
tation and the absence of track activity in the
vicinity indicate that the trenchi is probably
little used.
2. Area 2 (See Figure 3) wa' reported as
a possible munitions storage area !containing 10
dispersed storage bunkers interconnected by, a
canal system. A central probable control point
comprises 2 main buildings, several support
buildings, 14 AW emplacements 2 sawtoo
trenches (one forming-a triangle) nd numero
scattered foxholes.-
reveals the following: T
area is a probable-former agricult ral area co
taiiiing 10 raised building foundati ns (buildin
have been removed) interconnected by rais d
paths and 4' buildings which were formerly ass -
ciated with the agricultural activi in this ar a.
The sawtooth trenches are almost bliterateby
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The entire area is typical of the agricultural
development observed throughout this marshy
area.
3. Area 3 (See Figure 4) reported as a
possible munitions storage area is an abandoned
agricultural area almost totally obscured by
vegetation.
4. Area 4 was reported as an unidentified
storage area containing 5 possible storage build-
ings interconnected by canals, 2 distinct lines of
'foxholes, and numerous scattered foxholes and
AW emplacements. The report also-suggests
this installation may house additional head-
quarters and command facilities.
A comparison of this area with
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foxholes appear to be small circular cleared
areas with a shrub-like object projecting up from
the center. The alignment, spacing and orienta-
tion resemble that of a windbreak. The building
pattern, raised foundations and paths, and culti-
vation pattern are similar to those observed- in
the other agricultural areas. The numerous
scattered holes generally observed in the area
appear similar to the .scattered holes observed
throughout other agricultural areas. Absence of
reveals the following: The two distinct lines o
track activity in the vicinity indicates that these
.holes are probably not used.
S. Area 5 (See Figure 5) was reported as
a probable training area containing a simulated
outpost. and hamlet, numerous scattered foxholes
and several AW emplacements.
ound scarring was ob-
served. On buildings were ob-
served' erecte on t e scarred areas and con-
nected by paths similar to those observed in the
other areas.
Also observed adjacent to Area 5 but not
included in the annotated area on the 13th RTS
report is the outline' of a triangular strongpoint
and possibly associated quarters area. Lack of
track activity indicates -the area is probably
abandoned. No evidence of training activity
was noted.
6. Areas 6, 7, 8 and 9 (See Figure 6) were.
reported as possible storage areas and unidenti-
fied
with
reveals the typical,
active agricultural pattern found throughout this
low section of the country.
The following conclusions have been derived
from an examination of generally poor quality
photography (with the exception o
currently available at NPIC:
a. The area is primarily agricultural and
is typical of other agricultural areas
established throughout this lowland
section;,.
b. Trenching and possible weapons em-'
placements indicate former military
A comparison of this area wit
activity in the area; however, growth
of vegetation and lack of track activity
indicate.'that the trenches and possible
emplacements are currently in disuse.
c. The area may be used by para-military
or military forces such as the Viet
Cong, but such military uses of this area
cannot be cgnfirmed from an examina-
tion of photography currently available
at the NP IC .
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NP IC /R -1184 /64
MAPS
AMS Series L509, sheet NC 48-7, scale: 1:250,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
AMS Series L605, -sheets 220E, 220W, 229E, 229W, edition 6-SG1F, scale: 1:100,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
1. 13th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron, APO 143, San Francisco, California, Detailed Photq Interpretation
Report, 4 Mar 64 (CONFIDENTIAL)
STATE-64-
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