(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000400130007-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 2, 2004
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: January 2, 1952
• Content Type: SUMMARY

Approved For Release 2004/07/09: CIA-RDP91 T01172R000400130007-8
FORM N0.
SEP 1946 3C - 8
TRANSMITTAL # ~
17 January 1952
DATE
T0:
Mr.
Becker
BUILDING
ROOM N0.
REMARKS:
I return
the attach?d for-appropriate
dispositi
on, It is not quite what I
intended
-? namely, an analysis of the
evidence
with regard to the Chinese .build
u on the
Indo-China frontier
~iow-
ever, a
ana. ys s as to
me for other purposes.
FROM
~~~~~ i ~~ i
BUILDING
ROOM N0.
EXTENSION
ARMY, DOS and DIA review(s) completed.
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25X1
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Approved For Release 2004/07/09: CIA-RDP91 T01172R000400130007-8
 pproved For Release 2004/07/09 :CIA-RDP91 T01172R00
Soviet Strategy Staff, O~CI
2 January 1952
SUPti~1RY
During the period since 1 July 1951 a number of factors
have combined to strengthen Communist capabilities in Indo-
china; the effects of Chinese Communist training of Viet 1liinh
forces, begun in the summer of 1950, have been noted in abler
military tactics; Viet P~Iinh military reorganization and c;on-
solidation, begun at about the same tinge, has been large~.y
completed; improvement of transportation in South China t;o
the Indochina border, begun in 1950, has permitted an increase
in military materiel aid from China to the Viet R~inh; and
Chinese Communist military redispositions within South and
Southwest China have increased available strength for ini;er-
vention. ~t the same time, French rearmament in Europe and
commitments -to a European Defense Force have prompted Frf;nch
reexamination of their effort in Indochina and realization that
US aid is increasingly essential if even the limited areas of
French control are to be held. Correspondingly, with tha~ de-
terioration of the situations in Burma and Pulalaya, UK interest
in US aid in Southeast J=isia has increased. Under such c:ir-
cumstances, French and British a~~preciations of the military
situation in Indochina have tended to shift from confide~.lce
to increasing alarm in the face of a real increase in Com-
munist strength and a grotiving need for US aid.
ARMY, DOS and DIA review(s) completed.
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proved For Release 2004/07/09 :CIA-RDP91 T01172R000400130007-8
 Approved For Release 2004/07/09: CIA-RDP91 T01172R00
CHROlQOLOGY OF REPORTS CONCLRNIidG INDOCHINA SINCE 1 NoVEI+1B:E:ct 1951
1 Nov - French want to limit the German contingent to the European Defense
Force to keep i~t 'oe.low French strength in Europe (which are limited
by Indochina commitments).
"~ Nov - Chinese Communist press announces the official opening of the
Nanning railroad to Chennankuan on the Indochina border.
- US Consul Blancke in Hanoi finds De Lattre "seriously worried
about the Burma menace," says Tonkin is solid, th.e peril lies
westward.
10 Nov - French launch Cho Ben offensive; Viet PliinYi eludes French and
refuses battle.
11 Idov - French arlr~y spokesman in Hanoi stated that Chinese Communist help
to the Viet I~~.nh is increasing considerably, reportedly in arms,
atnrilunition, and military equipment, including, some trucks and
radio equipment. G-2, USA: "It is believed that Chinese Com-
munist material aid to the Viet R~iinh may have recently -increased,
but that there were no signs that the Chinese Camrnunists were
planning to send combat units or large numbers of volunteers to
the aid of the Viet Niinh at the present time."
1~3 Nov - G-2 accepts the following CCF' 0/B: Yunnan - two regular armies
certain, one more probable; ~> security divisions, 7 provincial
divisions also probable. Kwan~;si -five armies certain, one
mare probable; 33 security rE;giments. Estimates that there are
within 100 miles of the Indochina border 6 armies (150,000
troops) confirmed, 2 armies (50,000) probable; 2 armies (50,000)
possible. Estimate that 150,000 of. these will be necessary for
internal security in China; consider this a reinforcement.
21 Nov - Bukit Serene Conference in Ie~Ialaya discusses defense of Southeast
Asia. UK should seek closer understandin{; with US ors Southeast
Asian defense.
2~ Nov - British re Southeast Asian defense problem suggest U~>-UK confer
before mentioning to France.
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5 Dec - Viet Iu?inh 301~th Division moves into Tonkin from Nort~:z Annam;
G-2 now estimates Viet r:Iinh regular strength in Tonkin at 90,000.
- G-?_ reports large military dump in China along the Nanning-
Langson railraod. This 1inE: believed to be in operation to a
point about 25 miles from the IC border. The number of supply
duri~.ps reported, however, .has not yet reached the proportion which
Uaould normally be expected f.'or an imrr~inent invasion on a large scale.
Approv~d For Release 2004/07/09: CIA-RDP91T01172R000400'~30007-8 25X1
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u z ary a one , 1;ells Heath
~P e a re s c ie o
5 Deer - Genera o~nY~
that De Lattre is sti11 confident that vaithin 15 to l~ months e
Viet Tvlinh rebelliondid notbsendsinttroopsStaThe latestcfigures one
Chinese Communists
Chinese Communist troops concE:ntrated in South China tiveze 250,00
regulars and 120,000 provincial militia in the southern China
border region.
10 Dec - US Legation, Saigon, forwardsry"carefully evaluated information"
revealing an increase in the ~~hinese Communist regular' forces in
the border provinces, r~articularly Kti?rangsi; an intens:~fication of
work on the roads and railwa~rs leading to the Indochina border;
and a marked increasedeliantiea.iroraft madterielhe US.~Rt~~;~1commentsh
is reported to inclu
11Current military interior situation in vivid contrast to that
same period last year, and provided the Franco-Viet forcesO1n~eto
facing only the Viet I~?inh, could be considered a turning p
victory. The .factors of Chinese Communisear1an incpe~singem nace."
assistance of the Diet b'inh, however, app
12 Dec -Viet Tinh unsuccessfully attacks Hai Duong, Hoa Binh and Phat Diem.
13 Dec -French G-2, Tonkin, saystlh