CIA SOUTH LAOS INTERDICTION REPORT

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05147043
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: October 29, 2024
• Document Release Date: September 30, 2024
• Case Number: F-2019-00324
• Publication Date: October 9, 1970

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I sent a xerox copy to Mr. Holdridge for
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MEMORANDUM
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NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
T-4.12-SrarGRET-T-71-1 ieiMS
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. KISSINGER
FROM: John H. Holdridg
SUBJECT: CIA South Laos Interdiction Report
RMATION
er 9, 1970
Attached is CIA South Laos Interdiction Report No. 5 (Tab A), covering
the period up to October 7. The main points are as follows:
0
� Operation Guantlet achieved its intended results, especially
in the Bolovens area where PS-26 was recaptured. (This
puts friendly forces on high ground over the Se Kong River
and in a position sto harass traffic on it.) Oor 2 7978
A very high price was paid for this SUCCCS B. For example,
the six battalions participating in the PS-26 attack suffered
71 killed 379 wounded.
-- The aftermath of these losses has produced poor morale and
combat effectiveness. Desertion rates are high with one
entire unit abandoning its weapons and deserting en masse.
� "Prior to initiating phase two of the interdiction program
most of the irregular units in South Laos should receive a
respite for recuperation and retraining. "
� The enemy has reacted strongly to Guantlet. Harassment has
been constant since the capture of PS-26. In the Se Kong Valley
the enemy overran positionS held by irregular forces. The
enemy reacted similarly- both north and south of Chavane along
Route 96.
- In addition to positions overrun by the enemy all but a few active
teams have had to be withdrawn from the Se Kong Valley.
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Tor SECRET /NO= 2
Despite strong enemy reaction river-watch and ambush teams
continue operations.
Comment: In terms of positions taken and locations reached by interdiction
teams, Operation Guantlet is considered to have achieved its intended results
by CIA, which is responsible for carrying it out.
CIA frankly describes the high price which has been paid in men to achieve
these results and offers no views as to what extent Operation Guantlet has
resulted in a reduction in the flow of men and supplies through Laos into
South Vietnam and Cambodia. Though CIA does not say so, at the very
least it could be claimed that Operation Guantlet has resulted in the North
Vietnamese having to devote greater resources than heretofore to protect
this flow. Most of the infiltration groups now moving southward through
the system appear destined for South Laos.
ria &Er R -T- -141 gia aiS
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DIRECTORATE OF
PLANS
SOUTH LAOS INTERDICTION REPORT
Top-Secret
No Foreign Dissem
NODIS
NODIS
ToTTSWir-vt
Handle via Comint Channels
October 1970
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TOP SECRET UMBRA
No Foreign Dissem/Background Use Only
SOUTH LAOS INTERDICTION REPORT
REPORT NO. 5, 7 OCTOBER 1970
SC No. 13355/70
CONTENTS
Current Interdiction Activities
South Laos Operations
Cambodian Operation
Salem House Operations
Prairie Fire Operations
Map A --Interdiction Units in MR-IV
Map B --Interdiction Units in MR-III
DISTRIBUTION
1 - Director of Central Intelligence
1 - Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
2 - Deputy Secretary of Defense
1 - Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
1 - Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
No Foreign Dissern/Background Use Only
TOP A
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No Foreign Dissem/Background Use Only
SOUTH LAOS INTERDICTION REPORT
REPORT NO. 5, 7 OCTOBER 1970
CURRENT INTERDICTION ACTIVITIES
A. SOUTH LAOS OPERATIONS:
1. Summary: The first major operation in the South Laos
Interdiction Program, Operation Gauntlet, is now completed. South
Laos interdiction units are in the process of regroupment, resupply,
and redirection. The intelligence gained since 29 August on enemy
disposition and vulnerabilities is being evaluated for future inter-
diction programs in the corridor.
2. Post-Gauntlet Appraisal of Irregular Forces: Operation
Gauntlet achieved its intended results, especially in the Bolovens
phase which resulted in the recapture of PS-26. Irregular units
involved in Gauntlet, however, have been severely mauled. The six
battalions participating in the attack on PS-26, for example, suffered
71 killed and 379 wounded. Morale and combat effectiveness of four
of these battalions must be rated as fair to poor. Indications of poor
morale within many of the other irregular units in South Laos is seen
in high desertion rates. Within the past week one such unit abandoned
its weapons and deserted in mass just prior to being airlifted into
combat on the Bolovens. Prior to initiating phase two of the inter-
diction program, most of the irregular units in South Laos should
receive a respite for recuperation and retraining.
3. Post-Gauntlet Operations: In the post-Gauntlet period,
Royal Lao irregulars continue to solidify their position on the Bolovens
Plateau and secure their hold on PS-26. Enemy harassment activity
has been constant since the capture of P5-26, but no serious enemy
attack to retake the site has been launched. The enemy has reacted
strongly in the Se Kong Valley to the east, however, where company-
level attacks successfully overran �PS-20 and PS-27, both of which had
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No Foreign Dissem/Background Use Only
TOP SECRET UMBRA
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No Foreign Dissem/Background Use Only
been held by small irregular forces. The enemy has reacted in a
similar fashion both north and south of Chavane along Route 96,
where they have forced the withdrawal of all but a few active teams.
Despite this strong enemy counteraction river-watch and ambush
teams in the Se Kong Valley have sunk three boats, and commando-
raider teams to the north in the Ban Bac Sector have continued their
operations. The interdiction of Route 23 by three Military Region
III half-battalions has also continued in the face of stepped-up enemy
pressure.
4. Bolovens Plateau: As of 7 October, P5-26 was still
in control of the Royal Lao Government irregulars. SOU combat
units, aided by tactical air support, are trying to remove enemy
mortar teams and patrols from further harassment activities around
this site. (See Map A) Between 25 and 27 September, two minor
irregular support sites PS-20 and P3-27, located 28 and 42 kilometers
respectively north of Attopeu were overrun by enemy forces. River-
watch teams operating north of Attopeu sank three boats on the Se Kong
River.
5. Ban Bac and Chavane: Between 26 September and
7 October, raider teams ambushed North Vietnamese patrols on two
occasions east of Ban Bac. Enemy reaction both north and south of
Chavane along Route 96 forced the withdrawal of all but a few of the
SGU commando units. Irregulars will continue to infiltrate teams
into the Chavane sector for mining, harassment and air targeting
missions.
6. Route 23: The two SGU battalions deployed 12 kilo -
meters west of Muong Phine have forced two enemy battalions to
remain deployed outside of Muong Phine. During the early morning
hours of 6 October these irregular battalions, along with a
reinforcing battalion that had just been airlifted into the area, came
under heavy mortar and 122mm rocket attack. Two companies of
North Vietnamese attacked one of the irregular units forciu:: it to
withdraw to the west. To the south two irregular battalions about
10 kilometers northwest of Toumlane began an engagement with an
undetermined number of enemy troops on 30 September. Probing
actions have continued for several days. As of 7 October, the three
SGU battalions operating in the Xe Bang Hiang and Tourrilane Valley
area have mined parts of Route 23 and Route 23 bypasses along a
40 mile stretch. These three battalions are now preparing for
exfilt ration.
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No Foreign Dissem/Background Use Only
B. TRAINING OF CAMBODIAN INTERDICTION FORCES AND
INTELLIGENCE UNITS: A battalion of Cambodian troops destined
for interdiction duty in South Laos is currently undergoing training at
PS-18, located northwest of Pakse. A second such battalion is
arriving in stages. When it has reached full strength on 10 October,
training for this second battalion will also commence. The first �
battalion is expected to be operational by 1 December and the second
by 1 January. The arrival of a third and fourth battalion is contingent
upon the construction of camp facilities to house them, since present
facilities are fully employed. A group of 255 Cambodians was
graduated on 19 September from an intelligence operations training
program at PS-18. These trainees are scheduled for insertion into
northeastern Cambodia commencing 10 October.
C. CAMBODIAN OPERATION: All Lao intelligence teams
controlled by Vientiane Station are currently being exfiltrated for
debriefing and future reinsertion into Cambodia. In addition, three
teams are being prepared by Saigon Station for insertion into
Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri provinces.
D. SALEM HOUSE OPERATIONS: During the reporting period
13 MACSOG reconnaissance teams were active in the Salem House
area and one 2-platoon mobile patrol base was established. Twenty-
three RVNAF sorties and two USAF sorties were flown killing 10
enemy and destroying nine structures and one bunker. Six intelli-
gence reports were provided.
E. PRAIRIE FIRE OPERATIONS: During the previous week
nine reconnaissance teams were active in the Prairie Fire area with
18 gunship and 24 TACAIR sorties supporting them. Fifteen enemy
were killed by the ground force and 12 by aircraft.
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No Foreign Dissem/Background Use Only
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