THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00472A002200010010-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 2, 2012
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: September 13, 1965
• Content Type: MEMO

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13 September 1965
HIGHLIGHTS
In South Vietnam, the military initiative remains
in the hands of the ARVN and US forces. SAM ac-
tivity continues in the DRV, although it is not
clear whether any more missiles have been fired.
I. The Military Situation in South-Vietnam:
ARVN ground units, reinforced by one bat-
talion, are apparently continuing a- large-scale
search-and-destroy operation in Quang Nam Prov-
ince; 126 Viet Con g have been killed thus far,
as against friendly casualties of 30 killed
(3 US) 98 wounded (4 US), and one. missing
(Para. 1). Heavy casualties are believed to
have been sustained by the Viet Congas the
result of a coordinated air-ground operation
conducted by government forces in Chuong Thien
Province during 10-11 September (Para. 2). Bat-
talion-strength elements of the 327th US In-
fantry Regiment and the 23rd ARVN Division
scored favorable results in two search-and-de-
stroy operations conducted in Binh Dinh.and'
Binh Thuan provinces, respectively, on 11 Sep-
tember-(Paras. 4-5
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II. Political Developments in South Vietnam:
US authorities fear tfiat a recent move by the
against dissident armed monntagnard units may cause
further trouble in the highlands area (Para. 1).
Three advisers, including two Americans, have been
ordered.out of the highlands.by the GVN which is
suspicious of the close relations the'advisers have
with the tribal people.
IV. Other Communist Military Developments:
Nothing of significance to report.
V. Communist Political Developments
13 September 1965
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SOUTH VIEi NAM
MILITARY BOUNDARIES
Special zone boundary
Division boundary
Hop Tatdrea
Corps boundary
IOUNOAAY AIIAISINTATION IS
NOT N&C84-AILY AUTNOAITA TI Vf
BINH
TUY
VIJ1C
Tan J
-'sat I
;"' Son (Po Io Condone)
CON SON
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Ig. MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. The government?s.multibattalion search-
and-destroy operation initiated on-5 September in
northern coastal Quang Nam Province, 30 miles soith
of Da Nang, is apparently continuing, with Viet
Cong losses currently listed at 126 killed; Cum-
ulative ARVN casualties to date stand at 27 killed,
94 wounded, and one missing. The USMC battalion
committed to the operation on 10 September lost
three killed, including the battalion commander','
and ..four wounded yesterday from a mine explosion
and a booby-trapped 155-mm, projectile,
2. Government forces have favorably termi-
nated a large-scale coordinated air-ground operation
conducted against three Viet Cong.Main Force bat-
talions in the Mekong Delta Province., of Chuong
Thien during 10-11 September. An estimated 146
Viet Cong were reported killed by US Army heli-
copter crews, while heavy tactical air strikes by
USAF, US Navy, and VNAF fighter bombers reportedly
.destroyed 273 structures, damaged 117, and de-
stroyed five.sampans, ARVN ground units, while
unable to confirm any Communist casualties, did
verify destruction or damage to 264 enemy instal-
lations. At one point in the operation, a civilian
passenger boat mistaken for a Viet Cong craft was
accidently strafed. by an Army helicopter, re-
sulting in 15 civilians killed and five wounded,
30 "Operation HIGHLAND" by the 1st Brigade/-
101st US Airborne Division to secure lateral Route
19 from Qui Nhon to An Khe in Binh Dinh Province
continues according to plan. Viet'Cong losses
thus far have been placed at 48 killed, 24 wounded,
49 captured, and 278 suspects detained, as against
American casualties of three killed and 22 wounded.
13 September 1965
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4, The US 1st Battalion/327th Infantry, con-
ducted a one-day search-and destroy operation on
11 September near Route 19 in Binh Dinh Province.
Nine Viet Cong were killed, 14 wounded, and two
.captured; six US infantrymen were wounded,
5. Battalion-strength elements of the 23rd
ARVN Division-killed 20 Viet Congin a large-scale.
ground sweep conducted in Binh Thuan Province on
11 September; Four government soldiers were killed
and 15 wounded,
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7, MACV's military report for 11 September
shows 93 Communist-initiated incidents, seven of
which occurred during the 24-hour reporting pe-
riod, In Long Khanh Province, an unknown number
of-Viet Cong launched coordinated attacks against-
a village and two New Life Hamlets, while simul-
taneously shelling the provincial capital of Xuan
Loc with 35 rounds of mortar fire. Combined
friendly losses were placed at 15 killed,.two
wounded,:seven missing and 26 weapons captured
In centra coal a`l Bu-n~i Dinh
Province, Communist guerrillas attacked two Popu-
lar Forces platoons guarding a bridge near.Na-
tional Route7:1, killing eight defenders, wounding
six, and capturing 10 weapons; In addition, one
civilian was, killed and 10 kidnaped;
13 September 1965
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II, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
-1, On 12-13, September government forces moved
suddenly against dissident FULRO elements in Dar-
lac Province. The government operation undertaken
by GVN marine units, apparently was carried out
with little bloodshed and netted two groups of
mountain. tribesmen totaling about 600 men, US
authorities in Saigon are worried that this.precipi-
tate action may lead.to a rebellious outbreak among
other-montagnard groups,similar to that which oc-
curred last September,
2. According to the press, two Americans--a
member of the US Embassy staff and .a US. Special
Forces soldier--and an Australian Army.captain,-
have been ordered out of the highlands by the GiN,
The Australian and the US personnel had been train-
ing idontagnard CIDG units, The GVN has been sensi-
tive over the training mission among the mountain
tribesmen, reflecting the traditional dislike be-
tween the. Vietnamese majority. and the minority
groups.
13 September 1965
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IV, OTHERICOMMUNIST MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
1, There is nothing of significance to report.
13 September 1965
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V. COMMUNIST POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
13 September 1965
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5. The recent attempts in DRV propaganda to
strike a balance between Moscow and Peking were
further reflected in the treatment accorded the
India-Pakistan war in an article in Hanoi's Nhan
Dan broadcast on 11.September. The article
pointed out that the issue of se lfdeterminat ion,.!
in Kashmir had touched off the conflict and that
"inappropriate" action by the Indian Government in
this regard had been largely responsible for,ag
gravating the situation. The article scored the
Indian unwillingness to. settle the issue peace-
fully, but failed,to. condemn New Delhi as the ag-
gressor or to side with Pakistan as have the
Chinese. Rather, it accused the US, Great Britain,
and the UN of being the true violators of the right
of the people of Kaehmir and called-for a "peaceful"
settlement of the conflict in a fashion similar too
.that expressed by the Soviets.
13 September 1965
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