THE SITUATION IN INDOCHINA (AS OF 1600 EDST) NO. 15

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86T00608R000300070026-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 23, 2004
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: April 17, 1975
• Content Type: IM

25X1
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 Approved
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
17 April 1975
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
The Situation in Indochina
(As of 1600 EDST)
No. 15
1. The government's position around Xuan Loc is deterior-
ating rapidly and the threat is quickly shifting to Bien Hoa.
Government forces are collapsing in and around Xuan Loc --
some have been hit hard while others are fleeing the battle-
field.
2. Meanwhile, Communist sapper regiments reported]y are
approaching Bien FIoa from the north and northeast. Regional
officials believe there are at least eight Communist regiments
now close enough to attack the city within hours. The Marine
reserve units which were to fill the north and northeastern
defenses of the city failed to arrive on April 17 and there
are no regular units defending the critical northern aDnroaches.
South of Saigon
3. The government took the initiative in several actions
yesterday in Dinh Tuong Province yesterday and there was heavy
fighting along Route 4. The Communists, however, have built up
a very substantial force estimated at eight regiments in the
province and can put government units on the defensive at any
time. With such a large force, the Communists may intend to
destroy government forces defending Route 4, isolate units
deployed south of Dinh Tuong, and then join other North Viet-
namese units to the north and move against Saigon from the
southwest.
NSA review(s)
completed.
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25X1 4. North Vietnamese lst Corps forces appear to be assemblii5cI1
near the Cambodian border north of Saigon.
third division was last spotted two weeks ago near
the Demi itarized Zone and probably is now approaching the region.
The fourth division was still in North Vietnam as of mid-Apri].,
but it too is moving south.
5. In addition to the infantry divisions, the corps appears
to be bringing more armor, artillery, and air defense units south.
Photography has spotted SA-2 surface-to-air missiles in Quang Duc
Province. SA-2s had previously only been used as far south as the
Khe Sanh area of northern South Vietnam.When they become opera-
tional, they will make air operations in northern Military Region
3 extremely dangerous.
25X1 6.
341B Division is now moving soutli iroug e Nor Vietnam pan-
handle. The 341B was created only a few weeks ago as a replace-
ment for the 341st Division which moved south and now is fighting
east of Saigon. The new unit has not had sufficient time to
train, organize and equip its troops and therefore almost cer-
tainly is a poor fighting unit. Nonetheless, it could be assigned
occupation duties in northern or central South Vietnam and there-
by free bettDr combat units to go to the Saigon area..
7. The best account of the fate of senior government leaders
indicates that former prime minister Long Boret, former informa-
tion minister Thuong Lim FIuong, the former military commander of
Phnom Penh General Chhim Chhuon, Lon Non, and Sirik Matak all are
still in Phnom Penh, presumably in Communist hands. Boret and his
family and Thuong Lim Huong were apparently taken by the Communists
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after they were left behind by a he7:icopter making a dramatic
last-minute departure from Phnom Pe:nh's stadium. General Sak
Sutsakhan, General Dien Del, and the former minister for security
affairs Van Sar were among those who did manage to escape.
8? gave orders
for all oreigiiers, Including the Americans, to be kept together
at one location." Radio Phnom Penh stopped broadcasting shortly
after carrying both government and Communist surrender announce-
ments.
9. The initial Communist announcement over radio Phnom Penh
was delivered by an individual wlso identified himself as "Sekara."
This individual may have been a leftist student, one of the many
Communist cadre infiltrated into the capital in the past few weeks,
or an insurgent unit commander. He is clearly ranking figure.
insurgent
leaders are not planning to enter the city until the occupation
is complete.
10. The government garrisons at Kompong Speu and Kompong Cham
have surrendered. So far there is no word on the intentions of
government units at Kampot, Takeo, Prey Veng or Svay Rieng. Gov-
ernment commanders at Kompong Som, Kompong Thom, Kompong Chhnang,
and several locations in the northwest, however, are talking of
fighting on for as long as po:-sible.
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