THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM - 30 JANUARY 1968 - 1968/01/30

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06753740
• Document Creation Date: July 27, 2018

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
7ge
MEMORANDUM
The Situation in Vietnam
ARCHIVAL RECORD
PLEASE RETUtN TO
AGENCY ARCHIVES
30 January 1968
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I. THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM
General
1. The Vietnamese Communists launched an un-
precedented series of well-coordinated attacks
against at least ten principal cities in South
Vietnam's I and II Corps areas during 30-31 Janu-
ary (Saigon time). An offensive of such propor-
tions, focused at least in its initial phase al-
most exclusively against targets in I and II Corps,
2. On the night of 30-31 January the Saigon
area was hit by a series of mortar and ground
assaults. The US Embassy was subjected to mortar
or rocket fire and there-was small-arms fire out-
side the compound. Late reports indicate that
firing around the embassy has abated. A report
that the Viet Cong had penetrated the embassy and
taken "control" was false. Terrorists reportedly
did, however, enter the building and blew up the
main reception desk. No casualties have been re-
ported other than a Marine guard wounded. Mili-
tary police have been sent to reinforce the com-
pound.
3. According to various reports, shelling
and small-arms fire has been occurring elsewhere
in and around the capital. Both Tan Son Nhut Air-
field serving Saigon and nearby Bien Hoa Air Base
have come under mortar fire. There has been no
report of damage or casualties. Unconfirmed press
reports state that Saigon radio is off'the air and
that Viet Cong in South Vietnamese Army uniforms
were attacking around the presidential palace,
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4. The situation in South Vietnam's two north-
ernmost provinces, long anticipated as the focal
points of any major enemy offensive, remains rela-
tively quiet, although unconfirmed press reports
indicate that North Vietnamese rocket fire may have
temporarily closed the Khe Sanh airstrip early this
morning.
The Coastal Provinces of land II Corps
Da Nang Area
5. Enemy forces launched coordinated mortar,
rocket and ground attacks in �the Da Nang area on 30
January. Targets within the urban area included
the air base, a strategic highway bridge, and the
Vietnamese and US Army military headquarters. A
small enemy force succeeded in penetrating the South
Vietnamese I Corps headquarters compound. At about
the same time as the mortar and ground attacks in
the city, the,enemy launched mortars at several
other installations in the area, including the
"Marble Mountain" air facility, a US Marine regi-
ment northwest of the city, and Vietnamese forces
guarding the strategic Hai Van Pass.
6. Allied forces apparently repulsed the thrusts
in Da Nang city and have begun a house-to-house
mopping-up operation. Fighting is, however, continu-
ing in a hamlet within the city limits about a mile
from the South Vietnamese Army corps headquarters.
Civilian casualties are reported to be heavy as a
result of the fighting and the strafing of sections
of the city by South Vietnamese planes.
7. Preliminary reports indicate that four air-
craft were destroyed and 21 damaged at Da Nang and 18
helicopters were damaged at "Marble Mountain." Da
Nang Airfield was closed, but has reopened. About
3,000 feet of the Marble Mountain airstrip is non-
operational. Extensive damage was done to facilities
'at.' the base. Allied military casualties in the Da
Nang area have been reported to be about 14 killed,
and 31 wounded. There were 60 US nonbattle injuries.
Thus far, enemy losses have been about 86 killed.
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8. Around the same time as the Da Nang inci-
dents enemy mortar barrages were directed into at
least five aircraft landing zones throughout the
area of Operation WHEELER/WALLOWA--astride the
Quang Nam - Quang Tin province border--and in
the area surrounding Chu Lai. Approximately 15
miles south of Da Nang, the Quang Nam provincial
capital of Hoi An was attacked by an enemy force
which first launched a diversionary attack on a
Vietnamese artillery base.
9. An estimated 200-300 enemy troops seized
a number of installations including the provin-
cial hospital and overran a South Vietnamese
engineer battalion compound where the enemy is
entrenched.
10. Reports presently indicate that the
situation is quiet in the Chu Lai and WHEELER/
WALLOWA area.
Qui Nhon
11. An estimated Viet Cong sapper company ,
penetrated the provincial capital of Binh Dinh
and currently controls the radio station and an
allied maintenance area. The US air base at Qui
Nhon has also come under mortar attack.',
Preliminary casualty reports show Commu-
nist losses of 50 killed and US losses of three
killed and five wounded.
Nha Trang
12. Sporadic fighting continues in the pro-
vincial capital of Khanh Hoa, with allied reaction
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forces attempting to cut off enemy units leaving
the city. The action erupted early on 30 January
when North Vietnamese Army elements, probably
from the 5th Division, attacked and occupied pro-
vincial headquarters, military sector headquar-
ters, a nearby special forces camp, the radio sta-
tion, and the railroad station, in addition to
storming the provincial jail. The Communists,
estimated to range from two sapper companies to a
full battalion, have thus far had 60 killed and
15 captured. Allied casualties were 21 killed
and 66 wounded.
Tuy Hoa
13. Heavy fighting broke out in the provin-
cial capital of Phy Yen. Allied reaction forces
attempting to intercept probable elements of the
North Vietnamese 5th Division fleeing the city,
have killed 36 of the attackers while sustaining
casualties of seven killed and 31 wounded.
Ninh Hoa
14. Additional elements of the North Viet-
namese Army 5th Division have apparently launched
attacks against allied installations in this impor-
tant district town in coastal Khanh Hoa Province.
Information on this sector is very sketchy, but 11
enemy have been reported killed.
The Western Highlands
, 15. In the western-highlands, elements of the
Communists' B-3 Front command in conjunction with
Viet Cong local forces launched major attacks against
the provincial capitals of Kontum, Pleiku, and Darlac
and against the base camp of a South Vietnamese regi-
ment at Tan Canh in Kontum Province.
Kontum City
16. Elements of the US 4th Infantry Division have
fought their way into Kontum city, reportedly dislodging
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an estimated 500 to 1,000 Communists who had penetrated
the proVincial capital during the early morning
hours of 30 January. The American counterattack
has driven the two enemy battalions to positions on
the northern outskirts of the city, where allied
artillery and tactical air bombardment can be
safely and effectively employed. Communist losses
at Kontum thus far stand at 165 killed compared with
allied casualties of nine killed and 50 wounded.
The attacking force has been tentatively identified
as three Viet Cong local force companies and one bat-
talion of North Vietnamese regulars, probably from
the 24th Regiment.
Pleiku City
17. Sporadic heavy fighting apparently con-
tinues in the Pleiku provincial capital, with multi-
battalion South Vietnamese ranger and airborne
reaction forces attempting to block enemy routes
of escape from the area. The action began early
on 30 January when 500 to 700 Communists followed
up heavy rocket barrages against Pleiku Airfield
and a nearby montagnard training center with an as-
sault which penetrated the capital city itself.
Battle results to date include 103 Communists killed
compared with allied losses of seven killed and 22
wounded.
Ban Me Thuot
18. Fighting continues within the Darlac pro-
vincial capital. An estimated two Communist bat-
talions are apparently poised on the outskirts of
the city. An enemy captive has identified the at-
tacking force as subordinate to the North Vietnam-
ese Army 33rd Regiment and given the mission of
"infiltrating and taking Ban Me Thuot." Enemy
losses thus far include 91 killed and 28 captured.
Allied casualties are seven, killed and 16 wounded.
Tan Canh
19. Sporadic fighting continues between ele-
ments of a South Vietnamese regiment and an estimated
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Communist company which last night attacked and over-
ran the village of Tan Canh. Two-thirds of the vil-
lage Was burned to the ground. The village is located
20 miles north of Kontum city near Dak To Special
Forces camp and serves as the base camp of South
Vietnam's 42nd Regiment. No significant results of
this engagement are yet available.
Probable Impact of Enemy Actions
20. The effect these actions will have on the
morale of the civilian population residing in and
around the besieged cities of I and II Corps will
be difficult to measure; however, they probably
represent a serious setback in allied efforts to
secure and pacify these areas and could further
shake civilian confidence in the new government.
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III. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH VIETNAM
IV. OTHER COMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
1. There is nothing of significance to report.
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V. COMMUNIBTPOLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS '
1. In a series of broadcast's on 30 January,
the Vietnamese Communists condemned the allies for
violating the Tet truce and-concluded by announcing
that Communist forces had launched many simultane-
ous.attacks in northern and.central South.Vietnam.
One brOadcast said the attacks were aimed at de-
veloping-the winter-Spring campaign and ."punishing"
the US for violating the Communist "order" for a.
cessation of military attacks.
2. Earlier broadcasts denouncing the modifi--
cation of the allied-cease-fire were clearly, aimed
at laying the groundwork. for claiming that the. in-
tensive Communist military activity launched on
Tet was a reaction to allied Ceasefire violations.
Both.Hanoi and Liberation Front broadcasts stressed
that the US and its "henchmen" had violated the
customs and "legitimate aspirations" of.the Viet-
namese people which the. Communists had "recognized".
in promulgatingtheir seven-day cease-fire proposal.
3. The Liberation Front's effort to improve
its diplomatic representation abroad has taken .
another step forward. Tanzanian President JUlius
Nyerere announced on 29 January that-his govern-
ment has agreed to allow the Front to set up per-
manent representation in.Dar es Salaam. When
staffed, this post will be the first FrOnt repre-
sentation in sub-Saharan Africa, the third on
that continent, and the. fifth in the free world-.
The. Front also has' representations or agreements
for such missions in-all'of the Communist Countries
except. Yugoslavia.
30 January 1968.
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