STATUS OF NORTH VIETNAMESE FORCES IN LAOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001900020142-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 28, 2004
• Sequence Number: 142
• Publication Date: June 3, 1974
• Content Type: MEMO

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June 3th, 1974
Status of North Vietnamese Forces in Laos
1. The Laos Provisional Government of National Union
was established on April 5th, 1974, marking the beginning
of the stipulated 60 day period during which all remaining
Since early
April.
foreign troops were to be withdrawn from Laos.
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r.ess
than 24 hours before the June 4th.deadline, North Vietnamese
troops on Laotian soil number an estimated 47,000*, more
than three-fourths of which are located in southern Laos
(see table below).' Of the total, 18,000 are combat troops
i,,cluding those in 6 infantry- reginients and abcut
29,000-are logistics personnel.
Order of Battle of North Vietnamese Forces
in Laos
Total
North Laos
? South
_
Jun 74
Feb 73
Jun 74
Feb 73
Jun 74
Feb 73
TOTAL
47
83
10
22
37
61.
COMBAT*
18
37
6
16
12
21
ADMIN
SERVICES
29
46
25
40
* Includes personnel in antiaircraft units.
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MEMORANDUM
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2. At the time of the Laos cease-fire, Hanoi had
some 83,000 troops stationed in Laos, with most (61,0(;0)
committed to the protection and support of the North
Vietnamese' logistics system in the Panhandle. Since then,
,about 3G,000 North Vietnamese military personnel have
withdrawn from Laos to North Vietnam or to Communist
strongholds in South Vietnam, reducing the strength of
both combat and administrative services personnel by more
.than.40 perc,
~. There have been tenuous indications that
some North Vietnamese logistic units in northern
Laos may be withdrawing, but the moves could be part
of a traditional rainy season drawdown, In southern
Laos, there has been no recent evidence of impending
North Vietnamese withdrawals. Nevertheless, in the
next month or so the Communists may t^mporarily
withdraw additional rear services troops from the
Laotian Panhandle as the rainy season takes full
effect and logistic activity is reduced.
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4. ' lri the longer tei-hi Ilanoi probably will mairir,zir
a sizeable military force. in Laos
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I in southern
Laos, the logistic corridor is still an integral part of
overall North Vietnamese capability to support their forces in
South Vietnam and it is almost certain that Hanoi will not
abandon it. The continued. maintenance of this system will
require a large, permanent manpower commitment.
OER/S/LM
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Distribution:
Orig and 1
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1 -
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(S-6228)
DC'.T has copy
D/OER
Acting Chief, D/S
SA/ER
ST/P
S /Lm
I F-
(10, June '7ti4")
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