THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A001600010051-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 1, 2006
• Sequence Number: 51
• Publication Date: February 7, 1967
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For elease 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T0082 00160001005'( C-6
Top Secret
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
MEMORANDUM
The Situation in Vietnam
Top Secret
7 February 1967
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Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00826AO01600010051-2
 Appro
Information as of 1600
7 February 1967
The Viet Cong attacked four US airfields on
6-7 February, just prior to the beginning of the Tet
holiday truce.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
Four US airfields were attacked by the Viet Cong on
6-7 February prior to the Tet ceasefire which be-
gins at 6:00 PM EST on 7 February (Para. 1). US
forces participating in Operation GADSDEN in Tay
Ninh Province reported heavy contact with enemy
forces on'5-6 February (Paras. 2-3). US Marines
killed four enemy soldiers and captured 13 who were
in a series of caves discovered in Quang Nam Pro-
vince,. (Para. 4).
III. Military Developments in North Vietnam:
There is nothing of significance to report.
IV. Other Communist Military Developments:
There is nothing of significance to report.
V. Communist Political Developments: The
North Vietnamese people wil experience a rather
grim Tet this year
 Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00826A9O01600010051-2
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 Approv?d For Relea&@ 2007!0311'1 : 0 IA-R Dc79T00826A0016000 0051-2
1. In a flurry of activity on the eve of the
lunar new year (Tet) truce, the Viet Cong attacked
four US airfields on 6-7 February. Three of the
Viet Cong raids were against US bases in the Mekong
Delta, while the fourth was in coastal Binh Dinh
Province. The attacks in the delta caused minor
damage to US aircraft and few casualties; however,
the attack against the US Army airstrip known as
English Army Airfield, 47 miles northwest of Qui
Nhon, caused friendly casualties of one killed (US)
and 59 wounded (53 US).
2. US forces of the multibattalion Operation
GADSDEN being conducted in the western portion of
Communist War Zone "C" in northern Tay Ninh Province
reported heavy contact with enemy-:forces on 5-6 Feb-
ruary. Supported by US artillery and tactical air
strikes, the Americans forced the enemy to withdraw.
Preliminary casualty reports indicate that four Ameri-
cans were killed and 47 were wounded. Communist
losses are unknown.
3. Since this vast search-and-destroy operation
began on 1 February, a total of 66 Viet Cong have
been reported killed as compared with over-all
American losses of 17 killed and 78 wounded.
4. Late on 6 February, a US Marine patrol
sweeping the coastal flatlands of Quang Nam Province
discovered eight caves with 17 enemy soldiers in-
side. The caves were searched and destroyed, re-
sulting in four Communists killed and 13 others
captured. There were no American casualties.
5. The Tet ceasefire begins at 6:00 PM
EST on 7 February (6:00 AM, 8 February, Saigon time).
7 February 1967
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Q
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III. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH VIETNAM
1. There is nothing of significance to report.
IV. OTHER COMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
1. There is nothing of significance to report.
7 February 1967
 Approv
V. COMMUNIST POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1, Vietnam's lunar new year holiday season,
Tet, which begins on 8 February, will be rather
grim this year in North Vietna
statements have called for.economy in celebrations,
urging specifically that the people not sacrifice
too many pigs, a traditional Tee delicacy,
selves with a half day's rest rather than the
usual three or four days of festivities and to
mark the Tet celebrations by "work, austerity,
and vigilance." The entire population has been
invited to spend its leisure hours during the
holiday season strengthening war fortifications
and working in the rice fields. Official press
the
D RV has urged its people to content them-
7 February 1967
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25X1
Approved For Release 2007/03/14: CIA-RDP79T00826A001600010051-2