EVALUATION OF REPORTED MILITARY ACTIVITY CHANTREA AREA, CAMBODIA

Document Type: 
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
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
April 1, 1964
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP78T05439A000300300020-7.pdf519 KB
Body: 
ILLEGIB Approved For Release 2001/03/30 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300300020-7 Approved For Release 2001/03/30 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300300020-7 1 25X1 C SECRET .1 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. 25X1 D 25X1 D 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 25XD 25X . JD 25X11D . 25XiD ' 25X1 D 25X 1 C iiiMidimm 25X1D 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 25X1 D. 25X1 D 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 . 25X1D 25X1 D 25X1 D 25X1 D .25X1 D _25X1 D 25X1 D 25X1D - 25X1 C NP IC /R -1184 /64 25X1 C 25X1 C 25X1 D 25X1 C 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- 25X1 C