THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00472A002300010001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 6, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 1, 1965
• Content Type: MEMO

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/11: CIA-RDP79T00472A002300010001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/11: CIA-RDP79T00472A002300010001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/11: CIA-RDP79T00472A002300010001-5
1 November 1965
HIGHLIGHTS
A brigade of the US 1st Cavalry Division (Air-
mobile) has inflicted heavy casualties on the
Viet Cong in a series of sharp engagements near the
Plei Me Special Forces camp. In North Vietnam
four DRV fighters attempted unsuccessfully to at-
tack two US RB-66 Destroyers 85 miles northwest
of Hanoi. North Vietnamese antiaircraft artil-
lery gunners apparently downed one of their own
MIG fighters during the successful US attack on
the Kep highway bridge.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
US Marines an a avy cons rue ion sa a on
beat off what may have been another Viet Cong at-
tempt to strike the Da Nang East Airfield (Para. 1).
A brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
operating near the Plei Me Special Forces camp in-
flicted heavy casualties on the Viet Cong in a
series of sharp engagements on 31 October and
1 November (Paras. 2-3). US Navy and Coast Guard
patrol boats come to the assistance of an ARVN
outpost under attack on Phu Quoc Island (Para. 4).
II, Political Developments in South Viet-
nam: Saigon vas preoccupied today with a major
EETebration of its National Day, marking the
second anniversary of the overthrow of the Diem
regime,(Para. 1). A suicide by burning, the only
disruptive incident so far noted in Saigon, oc-
curred today within the Buddhist Institute grounds,
but does not appear to have had Buddhist sanction
or foreknowledge (Para. 2). ?
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III. Military Developments in North Vietnam:
An unusual coastal defense position
was revealed I
IV. Other Communist Military Developments: Noth-
ing of significance to report.
V. Communist Political Developments: Radio
Hanoi on 1 November publicized a Fatherland Front
rally ,in the Vinh Linh special zone (near the DMZ)
calling for the trial of captured American pilots
before the DRV's Supreme Peoples' Court (Para. 1).
1 November 1965
11
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/11: CIA-RDP79T00472A002300010001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/11: CIA-RDP79T00472A002300010001-5
I. THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. US Marines discovered at least two Viet
Cong boats approaching the Da Nang East Airfield?,
part of the Da Nang Air?Basecomplex, at 7:20
EST on 1 November. The marines opened fire as did
a nearby Mobile Construction Battalion (MCB). The
Viet Cong returned the fire with mortars from their
boats, but did not inflict any casualties on friendly
forces. No aircraft were reported damaged. Viet-
namese naval units were reported to be on-station
and attempting to intercept the fleeing Viet. Cong.
The marine and MCB cantonment area is located at
the southern end of the peninsula on which Da Nang
East is Situated.
2. A brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division (Air-
mobile), now operating in the area of the Plei Me
Special Forces camp has made several contacts with
the Viet Cong and scored significant results during
the period 31 October and 1 November. Latest re-
ports from MACV indicate that the Viet Cong have
lost 99 killed and 44 captured, with additional 16
suspects being held. Friendly losses, according to
the early reports, stand at 4 killed and 37 wounded.
It is unknown at this time whether the dead are US
or Vietnamese.
3. The Viet Cong were engaged in three separate
actions occurring northwest, west, and southwest of
Plei Me. In one of the actions, about five miles
southwest of the Special Forces camp, a Viet Cong
hospital area was. oVerrun_byflst Cavalry troopers,
who reported 50 Viet Cong killed and 21 others cap-
tured. There was no indication of the identity of
the Viet Cong forces engaged, but a newly infiltrated
PAVN regiment is believed to be operating in the
vicinity of the fighting.
1 November 1965
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/11: CIA-RDP79T00472A002300010001-5
4. According to press reports, two US Coast
Guard cutters and two newly arrived Swift motor
patrol boats came to the assistance of an ARVN post
?
under attack on 31 October. ?The incident occurred
while the Viet Cong were attacking a post situated
on the northwestern tip of Phu Tuoc Island, in the
Gulf of Thailand. The boats fired mortars and auto-
matic weapons into the attacking Viet Cong force.
1 November. 1965
1-2
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II, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. Saigon today celebrated the second anniversary
of South Vietnam's new National Day--marking the over-
throw of the Diem regime--with a major parade of mili-
tary troops, including contingents from US and third-
country forces, and a display of weaponry and air
power. The inclusion of two marching companies of
Montagnards in colorful ethnic garb, reportedly the
highlight for the festive Vietnamese viewers, ap-
parently reflected a further gesture by Vietnam's
military ruler to strengthen the feeling of loyalty
among the tribesmen.
2. Only one incident was reported to have marred
the holiday in Saigon, the self-immolation of an un-
? identified-Vietnamese man on .the Buddhist Institute
grounds. Although the man was Wearing saffron robes,
Buddhist leaders -reportedly have denied any knowledge
of his Motive. The incident. does not bear the ear-
marks of an officially sponsored Buddhist protest,
and there has been no indication, of any Buddhist in-
tention to,challenge the government at this time.
1 November 1965
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/11: CIA-RDP79T00472A002300010001-5
III. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH VIETNAM
1 November 1965
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6. An unusual
coastal defense position was
seen The installation,
at the mouth of the river, northeast of Vinh, contains
four 45-foot drive-through revetments and a number
of' associated buildings. Further analysis
is presently under
way in Washington.
1 November 1965
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IV, OTHER COMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
1. There is nothing of significance to report.
1 November 1965
Iv?'
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