IMPENDING VIET CONG ATTACKS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Keywords: HOTSIT
• Keywords: NVN OFFENSIVE
• Keywords: SAIGON
• Keywords: VIET CONG ATTACKS
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00974535
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: April 27, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2019
• Publication Date: February 17, 1968

"Approved for Release: 2019/84/117 C0-0041.513T0 21
r
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Impending Viet Cong Attacks .
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1. We have received from our Station in Saigon their response
to our request for an evaluation of yesterday's reports of an impending
second attack on Saigon and. possibly other urban areas. A summary of �
that eva.luation, which is being disseminated electrically, follows:
(a) The information reported yesterday concerning an
Impending attack on Saigon was from. different sources --
one report was based on prisoner interrogations, and the
other from a source who has previously provided good
information.
(b) Documents, prisoners, and agent reports have re-
ferred to second phase attacks, with the latter giving
conflicting dates.
(c) Enemy tactical and political considerations weigh
heavily toward the initiation of attacks on Khe Sanh,
Quang Tri, Hue, Danang, Dak To, SaigOni� and delta
towns. As noted in the 9 r ebru.ary document captured
in Danang, the enemy's Military Region V has called for
"intensified guerrilla attacks, small and medium itta.cks
and preparations for a series of big actions." The longer
the enemy waits, the more tenuous becomes his position
as the allies continue to mount operations and employ
air and artillery against his massed forces. Thus
coordinated attacks on selected key targets appear in
order, but the improved allied alert posture should con-
tain and make them extremely costly to the enemy.
1. We have subsequently received the following additional
on the subject:
(a) A CAS report from
attributed to a
that Hanoi has directed
-SEE
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reports
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(dopy IN 0 .
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%NI
the .Liberation Front "to launch a second general attack
on Saigon and all provincial capitals at 0200 Hanoi time
(1400 EST) on 18 February." While CAS Saigon is dubious
of the authenticity of this report, it notes that it coincides
with recent information which places the renewal of
offensive action between 17 and 20 February, and this is
the only report giving a precise date and hour for the
offensive.
(c) A report from CAS Saigon, as of 0900 EST
states that: "Indications have been. received in past two hours
that the Viet Cong second phase attack will be launched on
18 February. Various hours from. midnight to 0430 local
have been. mentioned. in the reports. The Chief of Saigon
Municipal Police expects an attack on Saigon to begin at
midnight. The Likely area of attack to be in the sixth or
seventh precincts."'
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3. We generally agree with CAS Saigonts assessment, as outlined
in paragraph I. The enemy poses significant threats in the areas cited,
and attacks in at least some of those areas may occur in the immediate
future. While the enemy may attempt coordinated actions in a number of
areas simultaneously, the form, scale, and intensity of his attacks may
vary widely in view of his losses and the disruptions resulting from recent
allied operations. The success of the enemy's efforts wfl also be limited
because of the improved alert posture of friendly forces.
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