THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

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Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5
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RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
16
Document Creation Date: 
December 20, 2016
Document Release Date: 
February 28, 2006
Sequence Number: 
9
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
January 4, 1966
Content Type: 
IM
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PDF icon CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5.pdf979.43 KB
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TOP SECRET Approve&r Release 0 7/02/08 : CIA-RDP79Tb 26A000100010009-5 25X1 11 1 PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL'SECURITY COUNCIL FUR FURTHER DISSEMINATION. OF INFOR ATION CONTAINED HEREIN tS NOT AUTF O lZED TOP SECRET Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 ARMY review(s) completed. 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Appr4 4 January 1966 Hanoi's first official statement on the cur- rent US peace initiative came today in the form of a tough, unyielding Foreign Ministry statement. It took note for the first time of the suspension of US bombing, but declared that the US has no right to demand any concessions in return for an end to the air strikes. The statement reiterated in un- compromising terms the DRV's four-point stand and called once again for the US to give "proof" that it accepts these four points. I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam: Communist guerrillas launched a heavy mortar attack against a US/Vietnamese Special Forces camp at Khe Sanh, in northernmost Quang Tri Province (Para. 1). Operation MARAUDER, in Hau Nghia Province, the first major allied penetration of the Mekong Delta, con- tinues, but there has been no further significant contact with an estimated force of two Viet Cong battalions in the area (Paras. 2-3). Two ARVN bat- talions and two ROK battalions continue to press their joint offensive in Phu Yen Province against an estimated two Viet Cong battalions in heavily for- tified defensive positions (Para. 4). The 1st Bri- gade/US 1st Air Cavalry Division Monday initiated a large-scale ground sweep in Pleiku Province near the Cambodian border (Para. 5). Viet Cong terror- ism continues in the Saigon area (Para. 6). II. Political Developments in South Vietnam: Nothing of significance to report.- III. Military Developments in North Vietnam: Status o sites and equipment in North a nam 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A0001 80010009-5 IV. Other Communist Military Developments: Nothing of significance to report. V. Communist Political Developments: Hanoi, in a tough, unyielding Foreign Ministry statement today, issued its first official pronouncement on the current US peace initiative.(Paras. 1-3). Chi- nese Foreign Minister Chen Yi on 30 December hailed the determination of the DRV to persevere in the fight "until complete victory" (Para. 4). 4 January 1966 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For ReleaAlk As se 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000fi00010009-5 AmN -- '7 Tchepone ,'Savannakhet g Tri hS G4 T (he L,U Operation is Drang 'An Khe t3 _ ~Q iNhon SILVER Valley f - ,. Operation BAYONET Chu Pone }JEFFERSON g~ / (8-27 Nov) Mountatr~.E,_?:.. 1vnle t Y N* CA M. B O D 1 A( / '$an Me I ;lout .,t 60322 -- III CC' RPS C DRPS ? T LAN ) L Dynan Rang SOUTH VIETNAM CURRENT SITUATION 92 12-65 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A00010Q010009-5 I. THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM 1. Communist guerrillas, striking in unde- termined strength, launched a, heavy mortar attack early today against a US/Vietna.mese Special Forces camp at Khe Sanh, in South Vietnam's northernmost province, Quang Tri. First reports place govern- ment casualties at 10 killed and 20 wounded (1 US). In addition, the attackers completely destroyed the US Special Forces barracks and supply depot. 2. The three South Vietnamese airborne battalions which had been participating in Oper- ation MARAUDER, the joint US/ARVN/Australian ground sweep 25 miles west-southwest of Saigon in Hau Nghia. Province, have been withdrawn from the operational area, but remain available for further commitment if required. Meanwhile, two battalions of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade, an Australian infantry battalion, and an ARVN Ranger battalion continue aggressive patrolling' actions but with- out significant contact. The allied operation, initiated on 31 December, has thus far resulted in cumulative Viet Cong losses of 238 killed (US body count), 53 captured, and 591 suspects detained. Friendly casualties to date stand at 46 killed (15 US, 31 ARVN) and 174 wounded (76 US, 98 ARVN). 3. MACV has confirmed that operational ele- ments of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade partici- pating in MARAUDER yesterday lost three killed and seven wounded from two short rounds fired by the New Zealand artillery battery. Subsequent investi- gation revealed no errors in firing data, or in service of the piece, and suggested the possibility of faulty ammunition. Three additional. members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade were killed and four wounded yesterday as the result of a misplaced 500-lb bomb delivered in support of maneuvering ground elements, 4 January 1966 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A00010g010009-5 4. In central coastal Phu Yen Province, two ARVN battalions and two ROK battalions, supported by artillery, tactical air, and US naval gunfire, are continuing to press their joint offensive against an estimated force of two Viet Cong ba.tta.l- ions in heavily fortified positions south of the provincial capital of Tuy Hoa. The joint Victna.- mese -Korean operation., !odenamed JEFFERSON, and initiated on 31 December, has thus far. resulted in cumulative enemy losses of 160 killed (ROK body count) and nine captured. Friendly casualties have been placed at 27 killed (22 ARVN, 5 ROK), 58 wounded (27 ARVN, 30 ROK, I US), and four missing (4 ROK). 5. On 3 January, the 1st Brigade/US 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) initiated Operation MATADOR, a large-scale search-and-destroy ground sweep in Pleiku Province, near the Cambodian border. The tactical zone of operations is about 15 miles north of the locale of Operation SILVER BAYONET, the brigade-strength action last November by the 1st Air Cavalry Division against regimental- strength PAVN/Viet Cong forces in the Ia Drang Valley - Chu Pong Mountain area. In the current US operation, units of the 1st Brigade are making aggressive reconnaissance patrols to probe enemy defense positions, while the main strike force is being held in reserve to react as the situation develops. According to the latest information available from MACV, no contact has yet been es- tablished with the Viet Cong. 6. In the Saigon area, Viet Cong terrorism against Vietnamese policemen and civic officials continues. Last night, a terrorist.grenade was hurled at a policeman near Cholon, the capital's Chinatown district, killing the peace officer, a Vietnamese soldier, and a, passing civilian, and wounding two female bystanders. The previous night, less than three miles from Saigon, enemy terrorists tossed a grenade into the house of a village chief, killing him and a number of his civil guards, and wounding eight members of his family. 4 January 1966 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Apprc II. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM port, 1. There is nothing of significance to re- 4 January 1966 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CiA-RDP79T00826A ii 100010009-5 NORTH VIETNAM: SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SITES H.( 1 ~,LapCal CHINA Thert 990 g3 y-Newly D rC ,jfed SAM Sites ?59 S~??- ~~ 3 560 51* 59 Phi LanaThu 24? ?hu Ly ~. _ Nanh Binh 2 bob 2& Range from surface-to-air missil (SAM) sites-17.8 n. m. ? Confirmed surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Appro4 III. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH VIETNAM 20 A continuing analysis of drone photography disclosed another surface-to-air missile site--number 63--in North Vietnam, The site is lo-. cated about 28 miles north of Hanoi and has three re- vetted launch positions and a revetted central guid- ance area. No missiles or missile-associated equip- ment were noted. 3. The large number of SAM sites discovered to date in the DRV does not accurately reflect the status or capability of the SAM system. It is estimatedi that there is only enough missile-associated equipment in the DRV to occupy from 15 to 20 of the 63 SAM sites at any one time, A study is presently un- der way to determine which SAM sites appear to be op- erational and to determine how much missile equipment actually is present in the DRV. 4 January 1966 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A0001q0010009-5 IV. OTHER COMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS 1. There is nothing of significance to report. 4 January 1966 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approv 1. Hanoi, in a tough, unyielding Foreign Minis- try statement today, issued its first official pro- nouncement on the current US peace initiatives. The statement took note of the US bombing cessation, ad- mitting that it was intended by the US "as a sign of good will." It declared, however, that the US has no right whatsoever to demand any concessions from the DRV in return for an end to the air at- tacks, and it called instead for the US to end "per- manently and unconditionally its bombings and other war acts" against the DRV as part of the price for "consideration" of a political solution to the war. 2. The statement reiterated that the US, in addition to complete termination of attacks on the DRV, must also accept the DRV's four-point proposal and "prove it with practical deeds" before there can be any political solution to the conflict. The four points themselves were reprinted in detail, just as Pham Van Dong originally set them forth. In Pham's original proposal, however, he called only for US "recognition" of the four points as the "basis" for a settlement. The formulation in the Foreign Ministry statement, calling as it does for "proof" of the US acceptance of the four points, continues to suggest a hardening of the DRV posi- tion. The DRV has been using this formulation oc- casionally since last August when it was first broached by Ho Chi Minh. 3. The over-all impression created by the ))RV Foreign Ministry statement is that Hanoi is simply uninterested in talks at the present time, except on terms completely unacceptable to the US. It appears to be implying more strongly than in recent months that the four points are con- sidered preconditions to any negotiations. The 4 January 1966 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Appro phraseology, however, still does not make this ex- plicit. The statement, together with other DRV pronouncements since the cessation of the bomb- ing, also suggests that the DRV is concerned over a possible loss of support for its position in in- ternational circles as a result of the new US peace initiatives. Hanoi issued a propaganda piece of several thousand words today cataloguing "US crimes" in Vietnam to demonstrate that the US peace campaign is "hypocritical." 4. In a far-ranging press conference granted to a correspondent of the Japanese Communist paper Akahata on 30 December, Chinese Foreign Minister en hailed the determination of the DRV to per- severe in the fight "until complete victory," and restated the Chinese position that if the US ex- tended the war to China, Peking would "take up the challenge." After repeating the Chinese charge that Soviet assistance to the DRV was "far from commensurate with the strength of the Soviet Union," Chen Yi introduced a new note in Peking's criticism of the USSR when he declared that if Mos- cow "really wanted to help the Vietnamese," it could have taken diversionary measures in other parts of the world to "immobilize US forces." 4 January 1966 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5 Approved For Rekdse 2TOT/62/08&-SX9T00826A0'100010009-5 TOP SECRET Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000100010009-5