THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A002100010052-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 3, 2006
• Sequence Number: 52
• Publication Date: June 19, 1967
• Content Type: IM

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
MEMORANDUM
The Situation in Vietnam-
USAF review(s) completed.
Top Secret
11.2
19 June 1967
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Information as of 1600
19 June 1967
A Communist force of battalion size (probably
from the 5th VC Division) attacked a command post
of the US 11th Armored cavalry engaged in Operation
AKRON on 18 June. POWs indicate that the North
Vietnamese are infiltrating replacements for units
in I, II, and III Corps.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
Two major engagements were reported between US in-
fantry/armor elements and Viet Cong forces within
a 30-mile radius of Saigon during 18-19 June (Paras.
1-4). There are continuing reports that North Viet-
namese Army troops are infiltrating into South Viet-
nam in "filler" groups to reinforce existing Commu-
nist formations in the South (Paras. 5-8).
III. Military Developments in North Vietnam:
A shift in DRV fighter tactics may have taken place
as a result of severe losses of MIGs in May (Paras.
1-2). US pilot reports indicate the DRV
pilots are picking fewer fights with US aircraft
and are flying at low altitude where their greater
maneuverability and AAA support may favor their
chances (Paras. 3-4).
IV. Other Communist Military Developments:
There is nothing of significance to report.
V. Communist Political Developments: There
is nothing of significance to report.
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QUANG TIN 1Cgu Lai
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1. Two major engagements were reported between
LS infantry/armor elements and Viet Cong forces
within a 30-mile radius of Saigon during 18-19 June.
2. In one action some 30 miles east-southeast
of Saigon an estimated battalion-size Communist main
force unit lost 45 killed in the course of an abor-
tive one-hour ground assault against the command post
of elements of the US 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
participating in Operation. AKRON in Phuoc Tuy Province.
The attack, which was preceded by heavy mortar and
recoilless rifle fire, resulted in American casualties
of eight killed and 31 wounded.
3. There are indications
hat the enemy force in contact may
have been the 1st Battalion/274th Viet Cong Regiment/
5th Viet Cong Light Infantry Division. The 5th Divi-
sion headquarters and its two subordinate'regiments--the
274th and 275th--traditionally operate in southeastern
III Corps, although there is tenuous evidence that the
275th Regiment may have temporarily relocated north
of Saigon to War Zone "D" to receive NVA replacements
and to re-equip and retrain. Operation AKRON, which
in addition to US armored units includes three battal-
ions of the US 9th Infantry Division and one ARVN
ranger battalion, is designed to clear elements of
the 5th Division and local Viet Cong forces from a
major Communist base located in the Phuoc Tuy - Long
Khanh - Bien Hoa province tri-border area.
4. Meanwhile, ten miles southeast of Saigon,
there was heavy contact on 19 June between five com-
panies of the US 9th Infantry Division and a Viet
Cong force of undetermined size during the conduct
of a "mobile riverine operation" along the inland
waterways of Gia Dinh Province. According to pre-
liminary casualty reports, 30 enemy troops have been
killed compared with US losses of 21 killed and 67
wounded. In addition, four US helicopters have been
downed by enemy ground fire.
North Vietnamese Army Infiltration
5. There are continuing reports that North
Vietnamese Army troops are infiltrating into South
Approv
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Vietnam in "filler" groups to reinforce existing
Communist formations.
6. An NVA private captured in Quang Ngai
Province on 11 June states that he infiltrated
through Laos into South Vietnam early this year
and upon arrival was assigned to the 2nd Viet
Cong Regiment/3rd NVA Division. The private re-
ports that his infiltration unit, the 260th
Battalion, was subordinate to a training regiment
in North Vietnam and that the 260th was the first
of six battalions scheduled to infiltrate South
at the rate of one every two months.
7. These statements confirm those of another
NVA soldier captured on 11 May, who also claimed
to have infiltrated this year with a 350-man 260th
Battalion which reinforced the 3rd NVA Division
in Quang Ngai Province.
8. INVA
replacements nave arrived is spring to reinforce
major enemy formations elsewhere in South Vietnam,
including those in the northernmost and central
parts of I Corps, the highlands and coastal areas
of II Corps, and the area of III Corps north of
Saigon.
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III. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH VIETNAM
1. Mounting losses of MIGs may have prompted
the DRV Air Force to undertake a partial modifica-
tion of its customary fighter tactics.
I Ireports from US pilots during
the mon of June 'indicate fewer instances in which
North Vietnamese pilots initiated air engagements
and a greater tendency on their part to fly low-
risk defensive patrols at low altitudes.
2. These tactics are in marked contrast to
those employed by the DRV during May, when large
numbers of North Vietnamese MIGs displayed great
aggressiveness in attacking US strike and fighter
aircraft at a variety of altitudes and under con-
ditions not always in their favor. In this period
at least five MIG-21s and 21 MIG-17s were lost in
air engagements and an undetermined numbers of ad-
ditional aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
Losses of this magnitude make a re-evaluation of
tactics on the part of the DRV Air Force not un-
expected.
4. If a deliberate shift in DRV fighter tactics
has taken place it may be of short duration. A short-
age of aircraft would call for operations of this sort,
but in the past North Vietnam has been able readily
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to replenish its air order of battle from reserves
in country or in China or by receiving additional
aircraft from China or the Soviet Union. There is
no reason to believe that these options are no
longer available to the DRV.
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IV. OTHER.COMMUNIST'MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
1. There is nothing of significance to report.
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Top Secret
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