DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM ORDER OF BATTLE IN NORTHWEST TONKIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R009000050010-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 31, 2001
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: October 16, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2 ffiffNa-P
P82-00457R00900005
CLASSIFICATION RLT/coNmaL -. U.S. O?FICLLLS ONLY
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO.
INFORMATION RE-PORT CD NO.
COUNTRY Indochina
DATE DISTR. 16 Oct. 1951
SUBJECT Democratic Republic of Vietnam Order of NO. OF PAGES 2
Battle in Northwest Tonkin
ACQUIRE ffid P- .- I .. 4 1, a (LISTED BELOW) ...,r.
DATE OF
INFO.
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DO NW C12CU .ATE REPORT O SUPPLEMENT TO
"IU.DWINO REPORT WAS PREVIOUSLY
U f D AS t, CIA PRELIMINARY
Sit P!SSEMINAIION NUMBERED
1. Democratic Republic of Vietnam (0RV) attacks in the Nghia Lo-Phong Tho area
in early October 1951 were launched by the following DRV units;
a. The 148 Regiment of the 312 Division, the 38 Regiment of the 308
Division and the 1514 Battalion of the 209 Regiment, 312 Division,
led the attack on Nghia Lo. On 10 October the 88 Regiment with-
drew to Phu Doan (105.12, 21-37) and the 154 Battalion withdrew
to Phu Ninh (105-18, 21-29).
b. Following an attack which destroyed Phong Thol, the 165 Regiment
of the 312 Division moved to the area northwest of Nghia Lo to
enga-e the second detachment of French paratroopers sent to this
region. On 10 October the Regiment retired to Thanh Ba (105-09,
21-25).2
Although regular DRV units are now too widely dispersed to stage an
immediate large-scale offensive, they are capable of launching saver a1
minor attacks in the following areas:
a. Elements of the 316 Division are in a position to attack Phu
Lang Thuong. The Division headquarters staff left Dong Dang
on 25 September and is now established in the Tam Dap Mountain
area. The 888 Battalion of the 175 Regiment is now at Huu Lang
(106-20, 21-30); the 153 Battalion of the 174 Regiment is at
Bo Ha (106.12, 21-27), Bac Giang Province.
b. The 320 Division is concentrated in the Cho Bo-Hoa Binh area.
c. The 301 Division has left Bai Tuong, Thanh Hoa Province, via
Hoi iuan (105--07, 20-22) and has joined the the mixed T)RV-r
Laotian unit (Lien Ouan Lao Viet) commanded by General Hoang Sam3.
The com Lned_units are proceeding to "oc Chau (1011-37, 20-50) and
.
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ONLY
MRS DWRIBUTION
sr A-TE X NAVY LHLJ
ARMY X -
MR FBI
SECURI NFORMATION
CLASSIFICATION 1 r/CONTROL - U
S
OFFICIALS
 Approved For Release 2001/12%04: CIA-RDP82-00457R009000050010-3
SECRfCONTRAL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLT 25X1A
CENTRAL IVTiLIGENCE AGENCY
WComment, In view of tha present location of DRV forces, the
nex large-scale attacks by a concentration of regular units will
probably take place either in the Thai country or in the middle
region around Sontay, Vinh Yen-Phuc Yen and Phu Tho, or concurrently
in both areas,
1, comment. Although several official references have been made
to comb in that area, the French General Staff has not yet confirmed
DRV attacks on Phong The.
2, Comment. DRV attacks in the Nghia Lo-Phong Tho area cannot be
considered amajor offensive,, since only four regular regiments took
part in the battle and three of these have since withdrawn.
3. Comment, - contains previous reference to Sam as
commander allied DRV-Laotian forces in Thanh Hoa,
4. Comment. Possibly Wong Hung (103-55, 20-59),
SF,tRKT/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2001/12/04: CIA-RDP82-00457R009000050010-3