EFFECT OF VC TET OFFENSIVE ON RDC, PRU AND SCG PROGRAMS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02312954
• Document Creation Date: January 28, 2019

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S Febreasir 11964
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Effect of VC TET Offoustve on RDC. PRU and SCO Programs
1. Data in Clio memorandum is compiled from all eft:lotion reports
received as of 051400 EST in VAS/RAC.
A. CItt...atIsi
1) Reports received to Cate indicate ROC Team
No. I has killed 10 VC and captured seven a:capons;
Team No. 12 has killed five VC and captured on 'mama.
(020900 H)
2) The enemy now holds about two thirds' of the
RD can:Taiga area naostly la Telma Fhong District. The
allies are going to be forced to go in and reel act these
forces, athiett may wreak havoc ea eta hamlets la the
proceas. (030400 H)
2) Docauca cf vialdrawal cf Anni hattelinne to
Quang Trl City Li) Toe= have boon relocated to provide
them with the Bost possible Lecority undo:. tho cireum-
etancao. The teama have ancacalered Ara VC at:tabs
ar..3 cur".abed fens case:Woo. hr.t ant? Cold strengths
eSa big due to the confasion cesratim3 from TET and the
cuz,rect VC aliensive. TLa tozr...3 hz.70 been rencrplied
rah c=munitioa whore reTaircl. '11:3 control group
r4Z3 alatra &finite ineptitude fa reorrtainiag toz=no
anloitica the pap= apportznitico, and con.dticting required
edminixtration. (031000 11)
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13526
3.5(c)
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4) PRUs served as reaction units in Quang Tri
City and sped from one spot to another clearing out
enemy activity. (042000 EI)
B. Thua Mien, Hue
1) The 50 PRUs in their Hue compound have
repulsed five attacks, were surrounded by approximately
two VC companies, were short of ammunition, and have
had no food for two days. (011330 II)
Z) The PRU was forced out of its compound south
of Hue City by the VC and was moving towards YD 7 6 8 204.
The VC occupied the compound and were destroying it. The
PRU required ammunition and resupply will be attempted
morning of 2 February by helicopter. (6 1 2,2 20 11)
3) The 50 man PRU, reportedly twice driven from
its compound in the southwest part of Hue, has withdrawn
to Huong Tuy District Headquarters for resupply. Huong
Tuy is about five miles southeast of Hue along Route 1.
The PRU has been providing tactical information of value
to Marine forces via a radio link with a PR.0 advisor now
attached to the Marine Regimental Headquarters. (042400 14)
C. Quang Nam
Thirteen of the 30 RD Teams in Quang Nam have not
been in radio contact. Six teams 1 KIA each; one team,
2 K1A; 1 team, 1 WIA; and nine teams had contact with the
VC but suffered no caSualties., The RD control group was
again in operation and more details are expected soon. Six
of the teams were being used in Hoi An on other duties.
(021800 H)
D. Danang
All four RD Teams have been pulled into Danang City
hall as security force. Approximately 20 cadre are detailed
to assist in various medical facilities in the city and to assist
in various "help the people" projects on a temporary basis.
(051800 El)
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E. flu....myis, yam Hy
During the 31 January attack PRU members captured
19 VC individual and crew.served weepone, including one
STIEMTA recoilless rifle. PRUe killed 23 VC (U.S. advisors
body count) and captured one VC. Two PRUs slightly
wounded and &Image to PRU camp was neiniusal. One VC
battalion attacked from northwest striking PRU compound
and ARVD1 compound on PEW E flank. "%awl soon withdrew
to PIC leaVing flank open. The PRUs put the area under fire
with 3 MG and 5 144.79s plus their individual weapons. At
about 0515 hours the PRUs began to receive intense machine
gun fire from the area abandoned by ARVIL At 0645 hours
30 PRUn moved toward area from which the MG fire came
and captured the LIG, which later turned out to Lave been loft
Lohlad ty the ARVI1 unit. 3.5(c)
7.1) 'Liao II.DC cctrz.�our...1 Lccc1 racoilleco
elle fire the night of30-'31 .1a..nuaxit% rite C ccd
111) ell'Ivoir and held hien for 12 tic.�.ure. l:o Iran the VC elr:lei
their ta2get was th3 la) honer., and ccrnrcuel, The ctatue of
RD team� is generally unkmowz. LD Team flo. 1.4 at An
Luong Hamlet. LS -649750, Co :a Long Village. Son Triah
District claims to L2I3 captured more than SCO VC laborers.
Americans censider fhb probale:y cr...:a.ggerntien� T1Z3 Pam,
co on the job, Tht RD compound le wi crgenized, indigenous
guards to done a good cr-hibitinz fire cliecipline ar cll
etood Ly their posts. (011200
Z) Only throe RDC have been reported trir.fi, but Clio
figure may increase when ell reports, aro in. (031000 11)
3) The VC generally Ly.paaccd the rip Teams. Ceme
tearne Lave moved in deco to elateot COTX7rOtauls cupport
Local GM force*. The Mile ti.aV* teen et...lowing cs good cou,n4
keeping casualties low (two Vo /A) and elzrept1n3 the enemy.
All districts are happy with the PP U effort, (04Z000
11 Corns
46 trAT r=ltri
44.14.0.4.14,661001....4414.14.kta
ezo C tht!..rcz1 icr:no r ore
�op-I:rationed otly cno z-o.1 En ac:::.,er!, Quza:cr Zen,
tez:no C,t4 �o operatlen21 cr,41 rnut; rrifrmtz:v.3
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In Thien Giao District have been hit by sir strikes, casualties
unknown. (021545 H)
Darlac
tio information has been received during the past
five days by American advisers concerting the situation of
Vietnamese 111, Teams in the province. (041100 H)
C. Ninh Thuan
The PRU are in contact with a VC force ten kilometers
southwest of Phan Rang. At 042153 hours i rogion.al force
urat was in contact with VC force in a 19(7 RE) hamlet seven
ani ono half kilornotoro cou.thwest of owe. l'he VC have been
concentTating their destructiva efforts againct hamlets in
ttle pl-oviz.lce that wore inc7.-c.:-.1edj.i C-te L.V67 ED plan c=i1 which
cz.Lnantly not pro:eat:lit:4 t.E.) TI:137 Esve becn
rico from Czoc.o cr.r.1C.:.1ctrovi:723 evorythFm5
that rci?r000ntis tho Gv14. t5,S3 m.herr.tctn. in which
there u,re RD teams locatcel. aro not tains At present
approximately 300 RE)C who LZVi3 slot yc.-1 boon deployed in
1963 pregrarn hamlets are bein3 need to augment Ellan Ran?,
internal security forcoo. (04;230 1) Cee
Vebruzay 1963 for list of harnieto.
D. 1-7123 "Zen
RD Toexas had encountered caly light attacks end
appeared to ba in little trouble. (021545 II)
E. Floe=
3.5(c)
Ca eight 51 ilanuary /963 Pilt.7 rerconncl cet
listaaiaz rovt3 end rowl Macke arozzad American edvisore
comporeads and the PloiLa Llontagnard Training Cor.
Esc:lure e heavy lira from =It:nem-a cauxece, corn* thought
to be iinl,14 thaw) p opto lL1 tzer.x. IC10 tt3 compeund
V.SCILO� O U WIA, from what V2,3 conaldered AtIVN fire.
(011050 /.0
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Fi Luittp�s
Cortina Grievance sources report VC are tired and
hungry but plan to stay hi Datat City until 7 February. They
will resume attack on 10 February. UDC and TSRD in Turin
Duc Province have reported negative action with all teams in
good condition and in place. (051330 II)
G. Dinh Dinh
ITO Information.
Ithanh Hoa
rlo information.
II:ant:tam
tb information.
J. Lem Lic2ra
o information.
K. Pht Con
4------
Ua information.
L. Ch....la:LIERE.
� No information.
4. HI Coma
7:43 pacification program coccno to hava L.T.on by-pazsed by
Mt VC. Ka ciAglo RD team is known ta Lava been tka tcrcct a an attack
and Mara cza r.3 reports al Pcovincla I:coca-nal:cam:3 T.,:na or CCZOtt3
CZIOVZ=3 CZCZ210.33* Apparently ittl3 tat, icteraC towo-..1, zit% t3 tJ
C7031p3 tzlz3 an:Important in thia inotanco. Catout:c117 CC:113 cf t=area
TET visita =Ill Lava Lien injured Cr.' 1=73 teC.C=3 C3 4:::COtlYer,Cd ID t2
azt to rcterab trd a:1 oll it a:repeat:a C$ thOtelrt.:UR-x..12.3n partOnnel
17,3y tow, coonpad ao1!ica3 injury. (02150 11) Ce3
Fabruzzy 1960.
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A. Dien Nos
Viva of the seven 17.1) Teams have been contacted and
are in no immediate danger. Team No. 4 in Cone Thanh
District and Team No. 6 in Lang Thanh District have not been
contacted. The last contact with Team No. 4 prior to TET
holidays revealed 2.0 cadre present. No means exists to
contact Team No. 4 because bridge to out. Two members
Team No. 4 reported captured but untested genree suggests
that they managed to escape. The SCO office in Long Thauh
District reportedly destroyed but CO chief .as all papers
were removed and hidden prior to destruction. (01Z400 11)
13.Dir. 11.1.paom
Ej Lc Village. thor.1 two kilornotcre froTn province
capital. woe mortared ond ot"..z.bkekl at 0345 hours rehrtntry.
VDC WM. (0311.00 IA
C. Einhlas
Fifty percent of LIDC aro in their &soigned r oaltlorto
becauee of TET holidayo. A cpot check Et one T.s.I.) cite south
of the province capital only three MC wore found on duty
oven though two teams were cosigned to the cite. The Citf.)
officer was told other cadre on duty but they bad gone to town
to chop. (Q12400 II)
13. Cis f)irth
enellIDC reported lailb night 3.4 rehrucry 1469,
possibility exists that he was killed by friendly troop.
(041C00 II)
E. Low, fr.haels
One &tuna Con. cr.tro LIZA &tong =ith nine weapons.
Z100 Lours 9 Ilebrnary U Fftii eir4,�fircnte4 comity force
1:1.0. civilian corepolarA. (13316C.0 13)
r. Ta ZILIs
r,Dc ordeutted Czcra Vetctv fatmleto res;ective
eistrict towns to augment Civtrict multi farcoa�
(03240 II)
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0.Inn.h.L.aru
Province quiet.
11. Ileaat.tia
No information.
I. 1.4.221L__An
No infOrmation.
3. /212Loa....Blion
No information.
Ehijac
No information.
5. ILSomt
A. Amyn
1) CIA office cotnrounicolione knocked out. (020900 Hy
2) In Cayman City three Pati LUAclzi five WM. (021E30 H)
S) SCO reporting of VC actIvItica. railltery eisen3ib.
etc. PAM !Gawp light three VIA, five WM. 1111U assisted
ARViN1 during daylight hours hunting down VC in the city. On
nigh.t of the attack the PRU ceptureci the secretary of the
U Minh U Battalion along vtrith a village party chepter member
who were caught coming out of a movie theater. (032430 H)
a. Bac Lien
13 1 PRU 1L (031240 U)
2) Coes VC TET ettacte were thwarted t PRO
tatelligonc0 and action ( 4 February U Corps Strep).
C. attune*
1) C.mail PAU elernont hripcd drive off VC ve.thCL
officer and romp Scale oa 31Januzr�,
V
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2) Forty MU* in Chau Dec town. (032400 11)
D. Dinh Tools, l'dy The
1) C/A compound has been held and re-eztablished
contact with operations center. (020900 H)
2) The RD and CO houses and equipment were
destroyed during the taiga. (021800 H)
3) RD warehouse was occupied by VC and is ten
percent destroyed. All RD office and team supplies along
with ammo and aromunition which were stored at the ware.
house aro gone and rumors have It thnt it may have been
looted or moved to province chloVo 110TICO for cefokooping.
The statue of 1M Teams throughout the province La unkeown
at thla time. Special Felice came to defence o RDC
compound which except for row bullet helots lo unscathed.
(0322100 Ll)
E. glen gita
1) Clit office commmicatioao in LZach Cie. capital
o2 Kien Giang. were !mocked ou.2. (020900 11)
2) The Pittla took port in defence, of flach Gin
31 Senuary. RDC houso woe one of ars% targets and received
15 explosive projectiles, both D.40 rochets end rifle grenades.
from 20 man terrorist group. Although house %Ito largely
destroyed. the VC failed in their =lesion. to occupy the
position, am guards, even though wounded, continued to deliver
effective five. All perconnal took cover rarely on the roof
and survived without casueltiee. (032400 11)
3) AU units including PIM. have done excellent job
in defending the city and at taking offensive action. (051800 H)
F.r.ben Ilea. Fen Fres City
CIA poraonnel at Flans o.alco with, 1,7 Patio laave good
defensive position ell otlisz LIACV compound.
(021600 II)
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G. lOsn. Tuoeng. Moe Ilea
I) VC tried to blast the CIA compound wall but
guards curtailed their actkm with automatic weapons fire.
Personnel in the compound were originally going to retreat
to their bunker but the province chief asked them to hold
off until dawn. It appeared primary targets of VC were
province chle(!e house and CIA compound. One guard and
PRU WZA end have been evacuated to hospital. (020900 H)
2) Third target of VC was pacification advisor's
compound. Two RDC KIA including one who was believed
leading VC from point to point, showing them where the
installations were. One RDC was viIA by ARVN as he was
leading a captured VC out of a house. This man was the
RDC deputy leader. The PRU and IIDC wore used es
defensive forces did an excellent job and are etill effective
unite.
IL 21....xopitEkit
RD command post at Xeo Eho In ?hong Phu District
was attacked during the night and results are unknown
although believed insignificant. (031200 H)
I. Walt Dinh. TraVinh
There is little known yet about the RD Tema although
there have been no indications of casualties or disruption.
SCO is intact and PRU had one KIA. (031000 11)
3. VIL.Lah
I) CIA personnel were evacuated to the Vinh Long
City airport. (020900 11)
Z) PRU and armed propaganda team formed defense
around PRU compound and elthoup VC made no attack they
suffered heavy casualties from friendly air strikes. (032400 H)
pasS.Alan
No VC activity reported.
L. ittnye
No information.
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M. Chuong Thien
No VC activity reported.
N. Go Cone
No information.
0. Ei2aP1_32m
No information.
P. Sadec
No information.
6. To date casualtieo for all programa are reported at Zi LIA, 13
WIA an.d three MIA. Casualties of IIDC Truong Sons SCG and prtu so far
reported arc far from complete and may be expected to mice significantly.
Damage and deatruction of installations and equipment in most casco has
not been reported and it is too early to estimate replacement requirements.
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MR. TURNER -6 Feb 68
MR. COFFEY -6 Feb 68
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WHICH MAY BE USED.
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