THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A001700010077-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 23, 2004
• Sequence Number: 77
• Publication Date: March 23, 1967
• Content Type: MEMO

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
MEMORANDUM
The Situation in Vietnam
Top Secret
111
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Information as of 1600
HIGHLIGHTS
Saigon, one of Premier Ky's staunchest military sup-
porters, the important commander of the area sur-
rounding Saigon, is said to be increasingly critical
of the Premier's political ambitions.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
Nearly 1,800 enemy soldiers
have bean -killed thus far by US forces of Operation
JUNCTION CITY (Paras. 3-4).
II. Political Developments in South Vietnam:
There are indications of a rift between Premier Ky
and one of his staunchest military supporters, III
Corps commander General Khang (Paras. 1-3).
IV. Other Communist Military Developments:
There is nothing of significance to report,
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.QAng Tri
T P;
Ban Me
Thuot
!Y C#PS
'_. 50 75 L60M I s
75 60 1.-.1-
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SQTH;VIETNAM
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I. THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM
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2. Many Communist base areas have been un-
covered and destroyed during this month-long opera-
tion, which has been specifically targeted against
such installations as well as against the Central
Office for South Vietnam (COSVN) headquarters com-
plex and Viet Cong military units subordinate to
COSVN. A total of 114 B-52 strikes have been
flown thus far in support of this operation and
may account for some of the damage to the enemy
bases.
3. As a result of the heavy losses sustained
by two Viet Cong main force regiments early this
week, over-all Communist casualties in Operation
JUNCTION CITY have soared to an all-time high for
a single operation--1,772 killed as of 23 March.
4. In comparison, the four-and-a-half month
Operation THAYER in Binh Dinh Province resulted in
1,757 enemy troops killed; the five-month Opera-
tion PRAIRIE I in Quang Tri Province ended with
1,397 Communist killed; and the 42-day Operation
ATTLEBORO recently concluded in Binh Duong Province
reported a total of 1,106 enemy killed.
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POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. There are indications that a rift is begin-
ning to develop between Premier Ky and General Le
Nguyen Khang, III Corps commander and one of Ky's
staunchest military supporters, Generally, Khang
appears concerned that power may be going to Ky's
head. The most recent illustration of this oc-
curred on 19 March, after Khang had unsuccessfully
argued a ainst Directorate acceptance of the constitu-
tion. 117777
2. By commanding troops in the important III
Corps area surrounding Saigon and by commanding the
Vietnamese Marine Corps which acts as a part of the
general reserve, General Khang occupies a key military
position, and he apparently fully recognizes this fact.
On past occasions, Khang has implied that various mili-
tary unit commanders were loyal to him as opposed to
either Premier Ky or Chief of State Thieu. Khang has
on occasion also acted as a spokesman for a loose asso-
ciation of field grade officers known as the "Baby
Turks." Khang's past association with and support
for Ky appear to have deep roots; both men were born
in the same town in North Vietnam and are less than a
year apart in age.
3. It is not clear whether the reported friction
between Khang and Ky stems from Ky's ambitions
or whether there are more personal
tors involved.
it is tnus il icult to judge how serious the rift
might be, or where it will lead.
it may well be indicative of
growing uneasiness within the military over the apparent
conflict between Ky's presidential ambitions and his will-
ingness to protect military interests.
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1. There is nothing of significance to report.
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Personnel Losses
(Killed only)*
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Weapons Losses
A, , Al f--f i 573
US Casualties to Date: Killed 7 878
Wounded 45,967 Captured 145 Missing 384
66075 3-67 CIA
*Due to a change in the reporting of personnel losses, beginning 12 February 1967 the weekly figure will represent
only personnel killed.
J - L 11.1.11, L1,1, 1J.! i~ .l I i
12-18 MAR
12, 2,675
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Viet Cong Incidents
(Excluding Attacks)
01
JAN FEB MAR
19 7
66074 3-67 CIA
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Top Secret
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