PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF BLACK SHIELD PHOTOGRAPHY OF 28 OCTOBER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP69B00041R001100020013-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 25, 2002
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: October 30, 1967
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2~MV,1]RTCR T"B00041 R001100020013-1
No Foreign Dissem
SC No. 10383/67
30 October 1967
?^F
SUBJECT: Preliminary Assessment of BLACK SHIELD
Photography of 28 October
Summary
This preliminary assessment of a BLACK SHIELD
mission flown over North Vietnam on 28 October is
based on only a partial field readout of the photo-
graphy. The mission made two passes over North
Vietnam north of the panhandle. Two-thirds of the
area photographed--which included Hanoi, Haiphong,
and the China border area--was cloud-free. All six
of the major airfields of North Vietnam were covered.
Recently struck Phuc Yen Airfield was shown to be
serviceable again for at least limited fighter opera-
tions. With the exception of one bomb crater in
the area, no bomb damage was noted at the Hanoi Thermal
Power Plant. The Canal des Rapides Railroad and High-
way Bridge and the alternate rail bypass bridge were
shown to be interdicted. No indication of surface-
to-surface missile deployment has been noted so far
in the field readout.
Note: This memorandum was prepared by the Directorate
of Intelligence.
Approved For Release 2cRE~3iAAV00041R001100020013-1
 Approved For Release 2Q (WJCIg NB00041 R001 100020013-1
No Foreign Dissem
1. This preliminary assessment of BLACK SHIELD
Mission 6732--flown over North Vietnam on 28 October--
is based on only a partial field readout of the photo-
graphy. The mission made two passes over North Vietnam
north of. the panhandle. Two-thirds of the area photo-
graphed--which included Hanoi, Haiphong, and the China
border area--was cloud-free. No indication of surface-
to-surface missile deployment has been noted so far
in the field readout.
2. Airfields: All six of the major airfields
of North Vietnam were photographed. All of them ap-
peared to be serviceable.
3. At Phuc Yen Airfield, the bomb craters on
the runway have been filled in and the airfield ap-
peared to be capable of supporting at least limited
fighter operations again. Unrepaired damage from
the heavy US air attacks of 24 and 25 October included:
bomb craters on the two main parking aprons and the
parallel taxiway, two damaged MIG-21s, seven damaged
aircraft revetments, and at least 15 aircraft revet-
ments containing possible debris.
4. At Haiphon /g Kien An Airfield, craters on
the runway have been repaired, making it serviceable.
Bomb craters were noted on the half-loop taxiway, in
six parking revetments, and adjacent to the parallel
taxiway.
5. At Hoa Lac Airfield, all bomb craters on the
runway have been repaired and the runway appeared to
be serviceable. Two damaged MIG-17s were observed.
6. Air Order of Battle: The mission may have
photographed all of the MIG fighters left in North
Vietnam at the time--with the exception of one MIG-
21 believed to have been at Haiphong/Kien An Air ield.
Three MIG-15/17s and two damaged MIG-21s were observed
at Phuc Yen Airfield, two MIG-15/17s at Hanoi/Gia,
Lam Ai`rf ld, and two damaged MIG-17s at Hoa Lac Air- 25X1D
field.
7. This readout may mean that there were only 25X1D
six operational fighters--five MIG-15/17s--and one
MIG-21--in North Vietnam early on 28 October.
Approved For Release 2 M - S- 1?00041 R001100020013-1
 Approved For Release
No Foreign Dissem
25X1 D
8. Transportation: Both the Canal
bypass bridge were shown to be interdi
graphy of the Canal des Rapides bridg
span destroyed, an adjoining span dr
third span damaged. The Lang Son R
was also shown to be out of operat)
its five spans dropped or destroy
9. A high level of activi
both the PincJhsiang Railroad Y
60 percent o
road Yard-
the item
may pro,
(1)
of e
flat
long
no
, /. 3j' (BAI K9B00041 R001100020013-1
ipment
ars, of,
canva
(2)
Power Plan
the shop a
smoke was
house stac
11. T
one
r:
a . No
bserv
s.
not operat.o
and POL so
ings in tY'
destroyed
The boilerhouse, generator hall
pport area appeared heavily damaged or
Plant showed that efforts to repa damage were con-
tinuing. Roofing repairs on the generator hall have
been completed, and roofing repairs on the boiler-
house were about 90 percent finished. Damage was
shown to be particulary heavy in the high-voltage cir-
cuit breaker area--about 50 percent destroyed--and
iph
ty
es Rapides
nate rail
ed. Photo-
shows one
Aped, and a
ilroad Bridge
on with three of
was observed at
d--filled to about
the ~e Dang Rail-
capacity. Among
g Complex area which
awr-ro
s-co
g-step
not o rational. The boilerhouse, generator hall
and rater coolers were severely damaged, and debris
was scattered throughout the area.
were lo
icles or
r Plants:
cra erwas
other bomb d
however, fr,
pred vehicles or pieces
ed special equipment
ded," and (3) "two.
ieces of equipment."
t the Hanoi Thermal
visible adjacent to
age was noted. No
m any of the boiler-
peared undamaged.
however,
Power Plant East was
area have been destroyed. All build-
he probable auxiliary generator hall,
l'2/ The Haiphong Thermal Power. Plant West was
13. Photography of the Uon `IBi Thermal Power
led to 70 pew
ed in the Ping
be of more-th
ars with c
e to
flat
Approved For Release ftw~ C&M T 900041 R001100020013-1
 Approved For Release 28MV,1RTCRAWTIqB00041 R001100020013-1
No Foreign Dissem
in the transformer yard--one high-voltage transformer
destroyed and two moderately damaged.
14. At the Hon Gai Thermal Power Plant, the trans-
former yard was heavily damaged. There were bomb craters
around the power plant and possible light damage to the
boilerhouse and generator hall. No smoke was coming
from the stacks of the plant.
Approved For Release 2 /(d/V- b0041 R001100020013-1
1
RET SAVIN
 Approved For Release 200Z9W ? rRDP69B00041 R001100020013-1
Approved For Release 200:8EQ REATDP69B00041 R001100020013-1
 Approved For Release 20028 FqLi DP69B00041 R001100020013-1
~X6 73z,
BLACK SHIELD ASSESSMENT
HANDLE VIA COMINT CHANNELS
WARNING
This document contains classified information affecting the national
security of the United States within the meaning of the espionage
laws, US Code, Title 18, Sections 793, 794, and 798. The law prohibits
its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to
an unauthorized person, as well as its use in any manner prejudicial
to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any
foreign government to the detriment of the United States.
THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE KEPT IN COMMUNICATIONS
INTELLIGENCE CHANNELS AT ALL TIMES
It is to be seen only by US personnel especially indoctrinated
and authorized to receive COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE
information; its security must be maintained in accordance with
COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE REGULATIONS.
No action is to be taken on any COMMUNICATIONS INTELLI-
GENCE which may be contained herein, regardless of the advantages
to be gained, unless such action is first approved by the Director
of Central Intelligence.
GROUP 1
EXCLUDED FROM AU IOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
Approved For Release 20080S RBTDP69B00041 R001100020013-1