WEEKLY SURVEY OF COMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN INDOCHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080006-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 23, 2009
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: March 20, 1974
• Content Type: REPORT

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NSA review completed
y:.
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Secret
L 1-~-~-/zOVS
j--L
Weekly Survey of Communist
Military Developments in Indochina
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Secret
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20 March 1974
Copy No. 2 2
DIA review(s)
completed.
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20 March 1974
Fifty-Fifth Report
r
WEEKLY SURVEY
OF COMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
IN INDOCHINA*
(This report covers the period
from 13 through 19 March 1974)
The Key Points
? The North Vietnamese continued to dispatch infiltration
groups southward last week at a rate of more than one a
day. Of the nine new groups detected (totaling about 5,000
troops), five are destined for COSVN, three for the
B-3 Front, and one for VC MR 5.
? Communist logistic activity in southern North Vietnam last
week was relatively light. Roads in southern Laos and
Routes 9 and 613 in South Vietnam, however, appeared to
be supporting moderate to heavy traffic.
? During January and February, civilian transportation units
in North Vietnam shipped large amounts of cargo from
southern North Vietnam to Quang T.ri Province in South
Vietnam.
* This report has been prepared jointly by the Central Intelligence
Agency and the Department of Defense.
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Preface
This report is the fifty-fifth in a series summarizing evidence received
during the reporting period of (I) Communist efforts to infiltrate new
manpower and military supplies toward and into South Vietnam,
(II) significant Communist combat activity, and (III) other developments
affecting Communist military capabilities in Indochina.
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DETAILS
I. Infiltration and Redeployments of North Vietnamese
Personnel and Military Supplies
Personnel Infiltration
1. Hanoi continued to dispatch regular infiltration groups last week
at an average rate of more than one a day. Eight new regular groups were
initially detected moving south through Binh Tram (BT) 8 near Vinh,
North Vietnam, during the period -- five en route to the COSVN area,
two to the B-3 Front, and one to VC MR 5. The total strength of these
groups is about 4,500 troops. In addition, a ninth group destined for the
B-3 Front with an estimated strength of 500 troops was detected in the
Laotian Panhandle. This group probably was sent south out of numerical
sequence with other groups recently detected en route to the B-3 Front,
accounting for its location in Laos. The North Vietnamese also substantially
increased the southward movement of specialists: 14 new groups with about
475 personnel were detected at BT 8 during the week. Nearly all of these
specialists are destined for VC MR Tri-Thien, the B-3 Front, and MR 5.
2. During the 1972-73 infiltration cycle, few troops started south
between mid-March and mid-May. If troop infiltration continues at even
a moderate level during the next two months, the number of troops starting
south since the beginning of the current cycle on 1 September 1973 would
approach that of a year ago.
Comparative Starts of Troops
from North Vietnam, by Destination
I September-19 March
1972-73
1973-74
Total
85,000
65,500
MR Tri-Thien
26,000
2,000
MR 5
9,000
5,500
B-3 Front
14,000
8,500
COSVN
25,000
27,000
Southern Laos/MR 559
11,000
22,500
3. According to a recently intercepted message from North Vietnam,
troop infiltration to COSVN and the B-3 Front will continue into April.
On 14 March an unidentified element of a North Vietnamese training
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Communist and South Vietnamese Regular Combat Forces in South Vietnam
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local force companies and platoons.
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be about 85% of assigned strength.
3. Only one infantry regiment subordinate t,i 10th 22nd
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authority reported that two training battalions would depart for COSVN
during the first 10 days of April, and a third battalion later in the month.
Two of these units originally were scheduled to depart in March, but were
delayed for unknown reasons. Another battalion currently undergoing
training is to be sent to the B-3 Front some time in April. Because these
groups probably will be assigned standard four-digit group designators, it
will not be possible to distinguish them from other combat groups en route
to COSVN and the B-3 Front. Nonetheless, this report tends to confirm
the 11 November 1973 forecast from a North Vietnamese entity in southern
Laos that troop infiltration to COSVN and the B-3 Front would be carried
out through April or May.
4. The exfiltration of North Vietnamese personnel from South
Vietnam continues at a high rate. Since 1 March, about 8,500 people have
been observed moving northward, bringing the 1.974 figure to some 22,000.
About 60% of the March total -- more than 5,000 people -- were classified
as "sick and wounded," a somewhat lower percentage than during January
and February. In addition, one intercepted enemy message discussed the
northward movement of "battlefield returnees."
Movement of Military Equipment and Supplies
North Vietnam
5. Communist logistic activity in southern North Vietnam was
relatively light last week in sharp contrast to the heavy activity detected
in recent weeks, when several hundred tons of ordnance moved through
the Panhandle daily. logistic units near Vinh reported 25X1
receiving some 65 tons of ordnance, dispatching 40 tons, and having
another 200 tons of ordnance awaiting shipment. Only light activity was
noted in this area hen some 25X1
180 tons of ammunition were unloaded at the Cho Si Railroad Station
north of Vinh. Poor road conditions near Vinh may have contributed to
the light activity a logistic unit near the city stated that 25X1
Route 1 was muddy and vehicles were having difficulty moving cargo from
one of the main storage areas. Farther south, between Quang Khe and the
DMZ, no significant logistic activity was detected.
Laos
6. Aerial reconnaissance of the main supply corridor in Laos detected
only moderate vehicle activity from Tchepone south to the tri-border area.
Limited reconnaissance showed about 75-100 trucks 25X1
moving daily, most heading south. Although only moderate activity was
observed, he roadbed is being used 25X1
3
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heavily. suggesting that sonic traffic is moving at night.
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South Vietnam
Limited photograph} of Route Quang Tri Province and
Route 613 in Kontum and Pleiku Provinces (see the transportation map)
indicates that these roads are supporting moderate to heavy vehicle activity.
Few trucks, however, were actually observed. COMINT also failed to provide
information on the amount or type of cargo moving. Although the
Communists western supply corridor in South Vietnam probably is
sustaining heavy traffic.
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II. Significant Communist Combat Activity
8. Although daily Communist cease-fire violations last week
/averaging 75 per day) remained well below the 1973 daily average of 100,
a series of bloody clashes in Kontum Province of MR 2 dominated the
weeks activity and caused a dramatic increase in government and
Communist casualties. These clashes occurred northeast of Kontum City
and resulted in sonic 400 Communist and almost 100 ARVN dead.
I.lsewhere in South Vietnam. activity remained at normal levels.
111. Other Developments Affecting Communist Military
Capabilities in Indochina
New I?egimertt Ideirtified in North Vietnam
9. A new regiment, the 175th. has been identified from COMINT
in southern North Vietnam. The regiment. formed possibly as early as
mid-1973, is currently operating in Nghe An Province. Although the unit's
branch of service is unknown, it has been engaged in training, construction,
and agricultural activities. Because of the losses incurred in the 1972
offensive and its commitment of lark forces to South Vietnam since the
cease-fire, Hanoi has expanded its combat force structure by creating and
regenerating a number of units in the North Vietnamese Panhandle. In
addition to the 175th Regiment, this expansion has included the 308B and
341st Infantry Divisions and the 270th and 271st Infantry Regiments.
4
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(The Communists have designated
Vinh Linh the route within South Vietnam as
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(a rhnr ne)
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Large-Scale Civilian Delivery of Cargo to Quang "I'ri
Province. South Vietnam
10. During January-February 1974. civilian transportation units In
North Vietnam shipped large amounts of cargo from southern North
Vietnam to Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. In early January an
unidentified civilian entity in Quang 'Iri Province revealed plans to
distribute some 16.000 tons of cargo from North Vietnam during the
month. Of' the total, half would be delivered by vessel through Dong Ha
and half would be sent by truck. In February the Ministry of Grain and
Foodstuffs directed a grain company in Quang Binh Province, North
Vietnam, to transport 6.800 tons of cargo to Quang Tri Province during
tltc Month. Although the cargo was not identified, the involvement of the
Ministry of Grain and Foodstuffs indicates that most of' it was probably
good.
11. Shipment of cargo to tile civilian sector in Quang Tri Province
has been detected fairly regularly since the cease-fire. The size of the effort
in recent months, however, indicates the extent to which North Vietnam
is going to support the civilian population in the area. Since the cease-fire,
Ilanoi has tried to consolidate its control over the civilian population in
Qooang Tri Province and, besides economic support, has attempted to
integrate this area into the political and administrative framework of North
Vietnam. Among other things. North Vietnamese currency has been
introduced into this area, and various civilian ministries directly subordinate
to Hanoi have been established.
O
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