AIR ACTIVITY AROUND DIEN BIEN PHU

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A003901130006-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 9, 2004
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: April 19, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 20_-0_4./07/29 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003901130006-8
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
SECRET
COUNTRY Indochina
SUBJECT Air Activity Around. Dien Bien Phu
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This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
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DATE DISTR.
NO. OF, RAGES
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
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1. Anti-aircraft fire around Dien Bien Phu comes from Viet Minh mobile units, which
have been seen, firing individually. It appears that the units have been assigned
a specific sector of the sky to cover. These mobile units are placed around the
entire Dien Bien Phu perimeter and are moved nightly. The anti-aircraft fire is
not pattern firi.ng.1
2. Pilots are encountering anti-aircraft fire from 37mm guns firing vertically and
accurately from 400 to 8,500 feet. During a night drop, five 37mm guns were
observed firing, but it is believed that there is a total of six or eight. A
considerable amount of 50 caliber anti-aircraft fire has been encountered.
25X1 Thus far, six of the Civil Air Transport (CAT) Cll9's have been hit.:
SECRET)
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19 April 1954
(Note: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distribution By "*",)
Approved For Release 2004/07/29 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003901130006-8
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Haiphong airfield is the best field in North Vietnam and is capable of handling
all heavy air equipment. Hanoi airfield is in fair condition and can handle
medium air equipment. The effects of sabotage are clearly visible on both fields.
However, the security of these fields is better than average. There is one guard
per plane and passes must be shown to walk on the parking strip.
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Comment. the anti-
a rcraf t firing is possibly radar-con ro e
Washington Comment. Most reports
been fire from 37mm guns. However, estimates
agree that there has
number of 37mm guns
available have ranged from 30 to 100-
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Approved For Release 2004/07/29 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003901130006-8