LOGISTICS ACTIVITY NORTH OF THE 19TH PARALLEL, NORTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04560A006400010039-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 11, 2000
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: October 1, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

7o(.i
Appredr6 ft& Lase 2000/06/30 CIA-RDP78BO456OA006400010039-6
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
25X1 C
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
LOGISTICS ACTIVITY
NORTH OF THE 19TH
PARALLEL, NORTH VIETNAM
NPIC/R-1 1 1 /68
OCTOBER 1968
Declass Review, NIMA/DoD
GROUP 1 EXCLUDED FROM
AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
Approved For Red PI PVAL30 : CIA-RDP % 45 . A006400010039-6
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
 Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006400010039-6
WARNING
This document contains information affecting
the national defense of the United States,
within the meaning of Title 18, sections
793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as amended.
Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is
prohibited by law.
Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006400010039-6
 RECORD
COPY
COPY NO.
PUB. DATE
LOCATION
MASTER
DATE RECEIVED
LOCATION
A tdVed'FbP'RWfease 2000/06/30
-RDP7
B'd "5160A0464000
=3944-6.w
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
COPIES DESTROYED
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
MASTER
DATE
-
DATE
NUMBER OF COPIES
DATE
NUMBER OF COPIES
NO.
DAY
YR.
RECEIVED OR ISSUED
REC D
ISS~D
BAL
MO.
DAY
YR.
RECEIVED OR ISSUED
RECD
ISSD
BAL
10
16
68
DIST UNIT
50
50
7
o
D
o
t~
.-
25X1 C
TITLE Approved For Release
NPIC/R-111/68 OCTOBER 1968 S/NOFORN/EXC."1;1 1
 r I I ~
ease 31111 06/30: CIA-RDP7B
=Pp proved,, FcFr F Fftse OO I~AmRD~
kpproved-rorlM
NPIC/R-111/68
E'ORN
OCTOBER 1968 SAO
A93'9--
~REC?D I155?D
3%SX1 C
 Approved For Release 2000/O FIt-IA!78BO456OA00640( i0d3 b(68
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
25X1 C
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
LOGISTICS ACTIVITY
NORTH OF THE 19TH PARALLEL
NORTH VIETNAM
OCTOBER 1968
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
25X1 C
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Relea1WF /Q 00010039-6
 25X1 C
Approved For Release 2000 Q dENtrRPP78B04560A00641Q j9q~PA
25X1 D
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
25X1D 25X1D
H A.WPHc
HAIPHG 4
ono .
CAT BA
HIPEL DES FAI T`
POL BARGES A HAIPNONG
STORAGE F ILIT (
NAM,OINH STORAGI FACILITY
(FIG
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
LTIPLE RIVER CROSSINGS
(FIG 3) 02
- ONCENTRATEDSTORAGE
AN TRANSSHIPMENT ACTIVITY
(FIGS 6 -8)
VM/ R 2
I ONC II
FIGURE 1. LOGISTICS ACTIVITY IN THE HAIPHONG-HANOI-THANH HOA AREA, NORTH VIETNAM.
25X1 C
25X1 D
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved Fo F~iease 60A006400010039-6
 Approved For Release 2000/060ftAfktg8B04560A0064006YM:911/ss
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
25X1 C
SUMMARY
The current intensity of the North Vietnamese
logistics effort is exemplified by the diverse activity
observed on recent aerial photography. While
much of the activity has limited significance
when considered singularly, together it emphasizes
the level of coordination which the North Viet-
namese have achieved between the road, rail, and
water transportation networks. Elimination of the
bombing threat alleviated the immediate problem
of route maintenance and permitted a greater con-
centration on improving the supporting facilities
and expanding the route capacity.
The effect of the bombing restrictions is
readily apparent when the smooth logistics flow
within the Haiphong-Hanoi-Thanh Hoa triangle
is contrasted with the general congestion of the
area immediately north of the 19th parallel.
Supplies and material are being overtly shipped
into this area by all modes of transportation at
an increasingly high rate. The result is a con-
centration of transshipment areas, supply points,
and military vehicles within 15 nm of the par-
allel.
25X1 C
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Ref kWEI~A 06400010039-6
 25X1 C
Approved For Release 2oooMMDRNAlAbP78BO456OA0064b 4
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
HAIPHONG-HANOI-THANH HOA AREA
The North Vietnamese are maintaining a
smooth logistics flow between Haiphong, Hanoi,
and Thanh Hoa in spite of the recent flooding
and increased port activity (Figure 1). To ensure
the continuance of this capability, transportation
networks are being improved and supporting
facilities are being reconstructed.
Direct transfer of POL from barges to
storage tanks and rail tank cars was observed
at the Nam Dinh Petroleum Storage Facility
on - (Figure 2). Similar POL trans-
fer is probably occurring at the Haiphong Pe-
troleum Products Storage Facility where POL
barges were observed moored to the bunkering
pier on -. This is the first evidence of
such activity at these facilities since they were
destroyed or heavily damaged in July 1965.
Reconstruction of the Loi Dong Transship-
ment Point, 4 nm NW of Haiphong, is nearing
completion and, as indicated by the presence of
25X1 D
12 SL-ls on the facility may be
at least partially operational. Prior to the initial
airstrikes in~ Loi Dong was considered
to be one of the largest transshipments points in
North Vietnam. Its return to operational status
could greatly facilitate the clearing of Haiphong
port.
The rail system is completely serviceable
north of the 19th parallel and is now being
utilized for the daylight movement of heavy
military hardware. An entire SA-2 missile bat-
tallion, less the prime movers and transporters,
was observed on a southbound train in the
vicinity of Ninh Binh on
- eight 122mm field guns were located
adjacent to a shipping and receiving platform
in the Yen Vien Rail Yard.
The North Vietnamese continue to prepare
for any contingency which may adversely effect
the transportation networks. In the eight-day
period between two rail by-
pass bridges were made operational across the
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
Approved For Release 20001
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
25X1 C
06400010039-6
 Approved For Release 2000/oCfWFIOECFZW78BO456OA0064O&H66t4l6/68
NO FOREIGN DISSEM 25X1 C
FIGURE 3. MULTIPLE RIVER CROSSINGS, THANH HOA AREA, NORTH VIETNAM.
25X1D
CONFID NT 25X10
Approved For Rqjgg@OWQI^^'"^ 7f11 A ~A^ A ^06400010039-6
 25X1 C
Approved For Release 2OO0 WD 1AbP78BO456OAOO64b
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
FIGURE 4. SOVIET HEAVY PONTOON SECTIONS (TMP/TPP) ON TRUCKS, HANOI AREA, NORTH VIETNAM.
25X1 D
Lach Trung Giang (stream), north of Thanh
Hoa (Figure 3). Two highway by-pass bridges
are also serviceable across this stream and new
track has been laid on the northern approach
to the main bridge. Prior to the bombing re-
strictions, multiple crossings were constructed
to offset the effects of continued airstrikes. Since
the bombing restrictions, the multiple crossings
continue to be used in areas subject to flooding,
or where excessive structural strain on existing
bridges curtails the rapid movement of traffic.
Thirty-six Soviet heavy pontoon sections
(TMP/TPP) were observed on trucks immed-
iately south of the Red River on -
(Figure 4). While they are most probably being
utilized in the Hanoi area, the fact that they
are portable would permit their use at other
locations.
25X1 C -4
25X1 D
Approved For R&006400010039-6
 Approved For eI se 2000/d F:I N-T 78BO456OA0064Oo1 -68
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
STAGING COMPLEX AT THE 19TH PARALLEL
The area immediately north of the 19th
parallel has become a sprawling staging and
redistribution complex since the imposition of
U.S. bombing restrictions on March 31. There
are at least five major transshipment points
and two storage areas within 15 nm of the
19th parallel (Figure 5). The level of activity
is unlike anything previously observed in North
Vietnam, with the exception of the annual
Tet truce periods. Supplies are being moved
into the area during daylight hours by uncam-
ouflaged trains, trucks, and probably sampans,
at an unprecedented rate.
The rail transshipment point at My Ly,
with an associated turning wye capable of re-
versing an entire train, is only 1,000 meters
north of the 19th parallel. On - eight
cars were being off-loaded (Figure 6). Six days
prior, one lorry and 23 cars were observed in
the area.
On 25 rail cars and several
stacks of supplies were identified at the four
transshipment areas north of Tho Trang Rail
Yard. Twenty-six cars and three lorries were
located in the Qui Vinh Rail Yard on _
Active road or water transshipment points
are located at Dong Ben and Thien Ki, 8 and
15 rim north of the parallel, respectively. On-
approximately 70 crates and 40 POL
drums were observed at Dong Ben (Figure 7),
and three canvas-covered stacks were identified
at Thien Ki. This material was probably shipped
into the area by rail or truck and was being
loaded onto sampans for further shipment south.
On a newly identified storage
area at Cao Hou (Figure 8) contained approxi-
mately one thousand 55-gallon POL drums, 500
crates or boxes, and 13 large canvas-covered
stacks of supplies and 23 probable storage build-
ings. The level of activity within this area is
probably best indicated by the high vehicular
count alon a 10-nm segment of Route 1A on
-- 130 vehicles, including ten mis-
sile transporters with prime movers and num-
erous POL trucks.
25X1 D
25X1 D 25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 C
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For ReI-aggtI&,Q 06400010039-6
 25X1 C
Approved For Release 2000Q DfN/ktikbP78B04560A0064b 6diV
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
-TAMS -SERIES L7014
SHEETS 6146-I_V
AND 6147 III&JV
25X1 C
RAIL-TU-ROAD_1
T R'iKP4 flTrW G
;,Y r
ITRA $S, .IP.: EE T, PO1PI-T
is ROAD-TO-WAXER.::
QUI VINH
OAD~Q E.
V
'Am
NAUTIdAL MILES
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For RlgbeA cgQR 06400010039-6
 Approved For Re VC000/0Q-1(MF fVRL78B04560A006400R~ QX~91AX68
25X1 D
FIGURE 7. ROAD-TO-WATER TRANSSHIPMENT POINT, DONG BEN, NORTH VIETNAM.
25X1 D
FIGURE 6. RAIL-TO-ROAD TRANSSHIPMENT POINT, MY LY, NORTH VIETNAM.
25X1 C
CONFIDENTI
Approved For nf8' 2ND 006400010039-6
 Approved For Release 200111,0 l6 DP78B04560A006W0V" Mt
25X1 C
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
FIGURE 8. STORAGE AREA, CAO HOU, NORTH VIETNAM.
25X1 D CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Relqkg!$gRWOWQW
25X1 C
6400010039-6
 25X1 C
Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006400010039-6
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2000/06/30 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006400010039-6