THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A001200010029-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 4, 2004
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: September 9, 1966
• Content Type: MEMO

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
ZWWPWd,#L----1
THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM
Information as of 1600
9 September 1966
State Department review
completed
PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
FURTHER DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT AUTHORIZED
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9 September 1966
Two US aircraft were engaged by three MIG-21s
on 9 September in extreme northeastern North Vietnam.
No aircraft were lost on either side in this inci-
dent which marks the first time since 20 July 1966
that MIG-21s have attempted to engage US planes. In
a generally favorable pre-election summary, the US
Embassy anticipates that the size of the voter turn-
out on 11 September will be respectable, and that
Buddhist or Viet Cong incidents will not seriously
interfere with the election.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
Light contact was reported as Operation PRAIRIE
continues in northernmost Quang Tri Province (Para.
1). US Marines report light contact as Operation
NAPA continues in Quang Tin Province (Para. 2).
Heavy enemy losses have been reported by a govern-
ment force reacting to an attack on a South Vietnam-
ese battalion in Binh Dinh Province (Para. 3).
A South Vietnamese outpost was attacked, overrun,
and reoccupied in Binh Dinh Province on 7 September
(Para. 4). Weekly review of South Vietnam battle
statistics (Para. 6).
II. Political Developments in South Vietnam:
In a generally favorable pre-election summary, the
US Embassy anticipates a satisfactory voter turnout
despite any last-minute dramatic act by the Viet-
Cong or militant Buddhists (Para. 1). Government
security forces reportedly moved quickly in Saigon
today to quell any antielection disturbances by the
Buddhists (Para. 2). Cou
ing in the capital rumors are also circulat-
,
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III. Military Develo ments in North Vietnam:
One MIG engagement
took place on 9 September (Paras. 1-3). Press re-
ports of large numbers of "barrage balloons" over
Hanoi and Haiphong are discounted (Paras. 4-5).
IV. Other Communist Military Developments":
There is nothing of significance to report.
V. Communist Political Developments: There
is nothing of significance to report.
South Vietnam Battle Statistics 28 Aug - 3 Sept
Total Personnel Losses
Cumulative US Combat Casualties
Total Friendly Forces Personnel Losses
South Vietnam Battle Statistics 28.'Aug - 3 Sept
Viet Cong Incidents
Viet Cong Attacks
Weapons Losses--GVN/VC
9 September 1966
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CURRENT SITUATION
25 50 75 100Mdes
0 25 50 75 1.0 Kilometers
1 63732
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THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. A company of US Marines participating in
search-and-destroy Operation PRAIRIE in northern-
most Quang Tri Province encountered an estimated
platoon-size Communist force on 8 September (Viet-
nam time). In the ensuing 90-minute battle, five
Americans were killed and one wounded. Six enemy
soldiers were reported killed, The total enemy
casualty toll in Operation PRAIRIE now stands at
237 killed and three captured. American casualties
total 43 killed and 162 wounded since this opera-
tion began on 3 August.
2. The US Marine search-and-destroy Operation
NAPA continues in Quang Tin Province. Light con-
tact was reported yesterday, resulting in four en-
emy soldiers killed and ten captured. The South
Vietnamese portion of this operation--LIEN KET 56--
ended on 7 September with friendly losses of 16
wounded. Three Viet Cong were killed in the opera-
tion.
3. One South Vietnamese Army battalion was
attacked by an estimated company-size enemy force
yesterday about 35 miles northwest of Qui Nhon in
the coastal lowlands of Binh Dinh Province. A sec-
ond battalion of South Vietnamese troops and a bat-
talion of South Korean infantry were committed as a
reaction force and established contact with the Com-
munists. The allied forces were supported by artil-
lery from the US 1st Cavalry Division. Friendly
losses during the four-hour battle were seven killed,
24 wounded, and 37 missing. According to press re-
ports, as many as 150 Viet Cong were killed, with a
possible 50 more killed as a result of tactical air
strikes.
4. A South Vietnamese outpost about 48 miles
northwest of Qui Nhon was overrun by a Communist
force of unknown size on 7 September, In reaction to
the attack, two South Vietnamese Army battalions and
two Regional Force companies began Operation KING
LONG 21. The outpost was reoccupied, with friendly
casualties reported as 16 killed and 15 wounded. En-
emy losses are not known.
9 September 1966
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5. The one-battalion US Operation SEASIDE,
which began on 7 September in Binh Duong Province,
ended yesterday. No contact was established with
enemy forces.
Weekly Review of South Vietnam Battle Statistics
6` The week of 28 August - 3 September com-
pared with the week of 21-27 August:
I. Viet Cong Incidents
Time At- Regimental Battalion Company Harass- Ter-
Period tacks size size size ment rorism
21-27 Aug 23 0 3 4 356 15
28 Aug-
3 Sep 8 0 0 1 358 20
Time Anti- Total
Period Sabotage Propaganda Aircraft Incidents
21-27 Aug 31 31 214 670
28 Aug-
3 Sep 6 15
II. Casualties
VC/NVA
21-27 Aug 28 Aug-3 Sep
Killed 1,009 885
Wounded -----
Missing/Captured 191 169
TOTALS 1,200 1,054
21-27 Aug 28 Aug-3 Sep
Killed 87
Wounded 599
Missing/Captured
1
687
74
570
10
654
GVN
71-27 Aug 28 Aug- Sep
205 109
375 305:
78 23
FREE WORLD
'TI--27 Aug 28 Aug-3 Sep
5 4
14 15
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III. Weapons Captured
VC/NVA GVN
21-27 Aug 28 Aug-3 Sep 21-27 Aug 28 Aug-3 Sep
Individual 247 Not 208 51
Crew-served 21 Reported 6 0
9 September 1966
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1. In a generally favorable pre-election sum-
mary, the US Embassy anticipates that the size of
the voter turnout on 11 September will be respect-
able--probably 60 percent or more of the 5,288,000
registered voters. The embassy concluded that,
although there is a danger that the Viet Cong or
militant Institute Buddhists might attempt to di-
vert attention on the eve of the election by some
dramatic or violent act, this would not seriously
interfere with the election.
Developments in Saigon
2. According to the press, government police
moved quickly today to disperse a group of 12 Bud-
dhist monks near the US Embassy who were protesting
the election. Eight of the monks were reportedly
arrested. Later, two Vietnamese airborne companies
surrounded the central market area when reports be-
gan spreading that the Buddhists were planning to
converge there. Press accounts stated that govern-
ment forces were showing signs of tension brought
on by widespread antielection threats and incidents
of terrorism.
3. Perhaps as further evidence of pre-election
tension, coup rumors have been circulating in some
quarters in the capital.
ere nas een no recent evi ence o any
coup plotting, although the possibility exists that
a minor effort--which would have little real chance
of success--could be launched by any one of a number
of dissident groups to create an additional problem
for the government on the eve of the election.
9 September 1966
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1. Two US Air Force F-105s were engaged in the
early morning hours of 9 September by three MIG-21s
in the extreme northeastern portion of the DRV near
2. The US aircraft involved were returning
from a SAM suppression mission when the MIGs at-
tacked from behind using cannon fire. In the engage-
ment that followed one of the F-105s fired at the
MIGs but no planes were lost on either side. No
air-to-air missiles were used in the air battle, a
portion of which occurred at tree-top level. The
returning pilots described the MIGs as silver in
color, and they observed no markings. The incident
marks the first time since 20 July 1966 that MIG-21s
have attempted to engage US planes.
Air Defense Balloons Over North Vietnam
4. Press reports of large numbers of "barrage
balloons" over Hanoi and Haiphong are essentially
erroneous.. There have been pilot sightings on 12
and 15 August of about 20 weather balloons tethered
along a ridge line 18 miles northeast of Haiphong.
The varicolored balloons appeared to be about 12
9 September 1966
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feet in diameter and ranged in altitude between
2,000 and 3,800 feet above sea level.
5. The balloons are not placed over any spe-
cific target in the manner employed in World War II
as implied by the press. Their apparent purpose
is to deny US aircraft attacking the Haiphong area
a low-level approach over the hills northeast of
the city.
9 September 1966
Apprc
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SOUTH VIETNAM BATTLE STATISTICS
-LY REPORT 28 AUGUST - 3 SEPTEMBER 1966
Total Personnel Losses
(Killed in Action, Captured or Missing in Action, excluding Wounded in Action)
Viet Cong/PAVN
US only
SJ
OCT
US Combat Casualties in Vietnam
(including North Vietnam)
1 Fatalities I Non-fatal Wounds
Cumulative, 1961-1964
Cumulative, 1965
Cumulative, 1966 to date
TOTAL
255
1365
3343
I AUG I SEPT I OCT I NOV I DEC I JAN I FEB I MAR I APR I MAY IJUNE I JULY I AUG I
Total Friendly Forces Personnel Losses
(US/GVN/Other Free World)
1 0 -6etti1br Relea 2aff4MOi "rAdit' i9T00826 1 9 0'23'ot'on
1524
6110
20036
27690
_FF
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 SOUTH VItIAId ftse?M1IitA-RDP79T008001200010029-1
F 1 28 AUGUST -?3 SEPTEMBER 1966
Viet Cong 'Incidents
Antiaircraft
Propaganda
Sabotage
Terrorism
Harassment
j Attacks
NOV I DEC { JAN j FEB
Viet Cong Attacks
Company and battalion sized attacks
Battalion sized (and larger) attacks only
Weapons Losses
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