DIA ASSESSMENT OF AIR CAMPAIGN IN NORTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-558-13-12-5
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: August 7, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

w
IW 0007
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
URGENT
INFORMATION
August 7, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. KISSINGER
FROM: Phil Odeen
SUBJECT: DIA Assessment of Air
Campaign in North Vietnam
ON-FILE NSC
RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY
DIA has responded well to my informal suggestions on ways to improve
its twice-a-month assessment of the air campaign. The latest issue
(Tab A) has a particularly useful balanced,four page overall assess-
ment and a two page comparison of this campaign with 1965-68.
Comparing Linebacker'-with Rolling` Thunder DIA points out:
-- Linebacker has imposed a greater burden on NVN.
Damage has been inflicted much quicker, limiting NVN's ability
to offset it.
- This campaign has destroyed as much POL storage capacity
(22 percent) in 10 weeks as the earlier campaign did in nearly a year.
-- The level of electric power disruption (75 percent not operating)
achieved by June was not accomplished during the earlier campaign
until mid-1967.
-- The graduated approach of the 1965-68 campaign allowed NVN
to mobilize its labor (400, 000-500, 000 men), stockpile materials and
execute repairs quickly. This time the North was not prepared and
has not had time to mobilize for the greater .repair effort.
-- Coastal shipping.was not stopped earlier as it is now and since
the ports were not closed earlier, there was less pressure on the LOG
to China which is more effectively interdicted now.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/10/07: LOC-HAK-558-13-12-5
"`!" No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/10/07: LOC-HAK-558-13-12-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/10/07: LOC-HAK-558-13-12-5
IP
PSECRET/CODE RD 2
Other points in the latest assessment are:
-- POL. Because POL has been flowing through the first new
pipeline from China despite strikes on the line and associaLed facilities,
there was no reduction in POL stocks in the second half of July. A
second pipeline will probably be completed in. August, and POL stocks
may then rise although there will still be distribution problems south
of Hanoi.
-- MR-I Battlefield. There is now evidence of rice shortages
with the enemy giving rice transport priority even over ammunition.
However, the earlier large calibre ammunition shortages have been
overcome with some ammunition trucked direct from the Chinese
border to Quang Tri.
-- Northeast LOC. NVN is making a great effort to keep the
Northeast LOC open. One key rail bridge which had been repaired
twice was recently knocked out for the third time. However, there
are numerous by-passes on the roads and supplies are getting through
despite disruption and congestion. Much extra manpower is required,
however.
-- Panhandle LOC. We are complicating movement. Watercraft
move only at night. The rail line is out. We hit some trucks with air
and naval fire.
-- Problems in China. There is evidence of Chinese port and
rail congestion as cargos being unloaded for NVN are not being cleared
quickly from the port and there is a backup on the rails because of
limited ability of NVN to take over cargo at the border.
I plan to discuss the latest issue with DIA, pointing up areas where
further improvement is. possible as well as complimenting them for
the latest effort.
SECRET/CODEWORD
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/10/07: LOC-HAK-558-13-12-5