THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM NO. 3 - 1968/01/30

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06753742
• Document Creation Date: July 27, 2018

Approved for Release: 2018/07/26 C06753742
CENTRAL INGELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
30 January 1968
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
The Situation in South Vietnam No. 3
Vis of 4:30 P.M. EST)
1. Attacks in Saigon: Before dawn on 31
January, the enemy offensive spread to the Saigon
area where a series of mortar and ground assaults
were launched. The US Embassy was subjected to
mortar or rocket fire, with small arms fire oc-
curing outside the compound. Late reports indi-
cate that this fire has abated. A report that the
Viet Cong had penetrated the Embassy and taken
"control" is apparently false. However, terrorists
reportedly did enter the building and blew up the
main reception desk. No casualties have been re-
ported, aside from the wounding of one Marine guard.
Military police have been sent to reinforce the com-
pound.
2. According to various reports, shelling and
small fire has been occurring elsewhere in and around
the capital. Both Tan Son Nhut airfield serving
Saigon and nearby BienHoa air base have been under
mortar fire. There has been no report of damage or
casualties. Press reports also state that Saigon
radio is off the air, and that Viet Cong in ARVN
uniforms were attacking around the presidential
palace. These reports remain unconfirmed.
3. Da Nang: Allied mopping-up operations are
reportedly continuingin the Da Nang urban area fol-
lowing the series of attacks there on allied instal-
lations and strategic points on 30 January. Sporadic
exchanges of fire with groups of Viet Cong are said
to be continuing in a hamlet within the city limits
about a mile from the ARVN Corps headquarters.
Civilian casualties are reported to be heavy due
to the fighting and the strafingof sections of the
city by government planes.
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5. Hoi An: In the 30 January attack on this
city, the provincial capital of Quang Nam, it now
appears that an estimated 200-300 enemy troops seized
a number of allied installations including the prov-
incial hospital and ARVN engineer battalion compound.
The Communist forces apparently still control the
area.\
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ments of the North Vietnamese 2nd Division appear to
have been involved in the Hoi An action, along with
other local Viet Cong forces.
6. Attacks in the Western Highlands: Confirma-
tion has been received that troops of the US 4th
Infantry Division have pushed the Communists out of
Kontum city where they had apparently occupied sev-
eral government installations early on 30 January.
The enemy force, estimated at two battalion strength,
has been driven to positions on the northern out-
skirts of the city, where allied artillery and tacti-
cal air bombardment can be brought to bear. The
attacking force was apparently composed both of Viet
Cong guerrillas and North Vietnamese soldiers--the
latter probably from the NVA 24th Regiment.
7, The DMZ Area: There have been no official
reports of significant action today in any sector
of the Demilitarized Zone. Press reports that Khe
Sanh air strip was closed due to enemy bombardment
have not yet been confirmed or clarified through
official channels.
8. Other Related Actions: The Communists have
continued their broadcasts, begun on 30 January,
which condemn the allies for violating the Tet
truce. The broadcasts have announced that Commu-
nist forces have launched many simultaneous attacks
in northern and central South Vietnam. One broadcast
said the attacks were aimed at developing the "winter-
spring" campaign and "punishing" the US for violating
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the Communist "order" for a cessation of military
attacks. Hanoi has also issued a Foreign Ministry
statement claiming �that the US has "completely
cancelled the 1968 Tet truce" and condemning the
Americans for continuing the air attacks during
Tet.
9. There has so far been no other signifi-
cant foreign commentary, either from bloc or-mon-
bloc sources, on the current military action in
South Vietnam.
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