THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM NO. 7 (AS OF 11:30 A.M. EST)

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05072711
• Document Creation Date: January 28, 2019

Approved for Release: 2019/01/17 C05072711
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
1 February 1968
�
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
The Situation in South Vietnam No. 7
� There have been no major changes in the military
situation since 7 A,M. this morning, although a few
new attacks have been reported.
Corps
1. Enemy forces hit the US Marine installations
at Phu Bai with about 8 rounds of 140-mm, rocket fire
on the mornihg of 1 February. They also seized con-
trol of Phu Lac, a district capital near the Quang
Nam - Thua mien provincial border along Route l.
2. The situation in Hue is still unclear, al-
though one report states that the aIlies have retaken
most of the city. It appears, however, that enemy
forces may still control much of the citadel area--
a traditional military strongpoint.'
II Corps
3. Enemy forces estimated at dompany size at-
tacked Dalat in Tuyen Due Province early on 1 February.
They hit an MP billet, seized the market place and
a number of civilian hostages and are said to be
largely in control of at least the center Of the.
town. The enemy action against DaIat could have an
important psychological effect on the South Vietnam-
ese, since the town to some extent has been an alter-
nate residential area for South Vietnamese leaders,
and has not boon the scene of military action for some
years.
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4. In Kontum, at least one Notth Vietnamese
battalion is still entrenched in strongpoints in
the city. Friendly forces still control all the
military compounds, however.
5. In Ban Me Thuot, elements of the 33rd NVA
Regiment, apparently in conjunction with Viet Cong
local forces, are continuing to occupy significant
portions of the Darlac provincial capital.
ILLar22.
6. A ground attack was launched on the Cu Chi
District headquarters on 1 February but failed to
penetrate the main defenses. Later, a 350 round
rocket and mortar attack was initiated against the
nearby headquarters of the US 25th Division. Per-
sonnel casualties in the latter assault were light;
there is no report of material damage.
7. In Saigon, sniper fire continues throughout
the city, but no major new enemy initiatives have
been reported.
IV Corps
8. Another enemy attack was apparently launched
in Ben Tre, capital of Kien Hoa on 1 February. Con-
siderable destruction was apparently inflicted On the
buildings and homes in the city, and heavy casualties
were apparently sustained by the civilian populace.
9. Some additional ground probes against delta
towns on 1 February have been reported, but details
are lacking.
10. The friendly situation in My Tho,:vhich'was
under heavy mortar and ground attack at noon on the
let, has reportedly "improved."
11. No additional, confirmed information is
available on the situation in Chau Phu which was
reportedly in Viet Cong hands on the 31st.
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Other Related Developments
12. The Vietnamese Communists are now portray-
ing their current offensive as an all-out effort to
destroy the Thieu government and replace it with a
Communist-controlled administration, They are try-
ing to give the impression that their efforts are
winning widespread popular support Old that a new
administrative apparatus is being set up to manage
the seizure of power.
13. A statement issued by the Viet Cong head-
quarters on 31 January says the timev hasarrived for
a "general offensive" aimed at toppling the Saigon
regime. The statement asserts that a government will
be set up "which will be entirely ours," and calls on
the people to join in the effort of trying "to win
victory at any cost."
14. There aro no signs so far that the Commu-
nists have, in fact, been successful in rallying
significant popular support for their current efforA.
Both Hanoi and Viet Cong propaganda,. however, are
trying to. convey the impression that the time is now
ripe for bringing about a solution to the conflict
in accord with the program of the National Liberation
Front. The propaganda plays down the role of the
Liberation Front itself, and asserts that other groups
are demanding a new administration based on Front ob-
jectives. The Communists say an organization called
the "Alliance of National and Peace Forces" has become
a rallying point for coordinating political action.
Communist broadcasts claim there has been. an enthusias-
tic popular response to a call from the "alliance"
demanding that the US withdraw and end the war, and
that negotiations be conducted with the National
Liberation Front for restoring peace and bringing about
"independence and sovereignty" for the South.
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