EVIDENCE THAT NVA HAS DIRECTLY CROSSED THE DMZ

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-558-13-4-4
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: April 4, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/12/30: LOC
_H?PowomempippAK-558-13-4-4
? ?
?S-ECR-ETtrENSITIVE
EONTAXNS CODEWORD
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT;
INFORMATION
April 4, 1972
GENERAL HAIG
TOM LATIMER
Evidence that NVA has Directly
Crossed the DMZ
General Pure Icy has sent the attached DIA memo to HAR on the evidence
we have that NVA units have directly crossed the DMZ into Quang Tri
Province. Although there is no series of ARDF Axe* showing the north.
south movement of NVA infantry units, there is abundant indirect evidence
that both men and material have moved directly across the DMZ.
Among the best piece* of evidence are:
-- One intercepted North Vietnamese message which stated:
"At the Ben Hai River we have finished building a bridge.
Our vehicles are crossing freely."
? On I April a string of sensors near Route 606 in the DM7
detected 27 instances of activity associated with the movement
of enennirkehicles and armor.
-- Finally, the position of friendly bases immediately south of
the eastern portion of the DMZ, the speed with which they
were overrun, the absence of any evident* that they were
attacked from the flank or rear, all indicate that the enemy
force came directly across the DMZ.
?6EGR-EINSENSITIVE/CONTAINS CODEWORD
TL:nm:4/4/72
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IP 1
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
SI-S-3015/DI-4A2
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
3 APR 1972
SUBJECT: Evidence of Enemy Attacks across the Vietnamese
Demilitarized Zone (C)
(C/NFD) The following developments could have a significant
bearing on military and political developments in Southeast
Asia.
North Vietnam - Republic of Vietnam
The absolute confirmation of the passage of enemy
infantry elements through the DMZ provided by a series of
north-to-south APDP fixes is lacking. Units have, however,
been noted preparing for activity on both sides. of the DMZ.
Although only one artillery element has been fixed south of
the DMZ by AMP, the heavy shelling of Quang Tri Combat Base,
beyond the range of artillery fired from north of the DMZ,
indicates that some NVA artillery has deployed south.
Previous locations of 308th NVA Division elements committed
to combat make it likely that they too deployed through the
DMZ. An unidentified enemy element has also explicitly
referenced crossing the Ben Hai River. Sensor activations
provide further evidence that the enemy has crossed the DMZ.
Finally, the speed and direction of the enemy attacks south
of the eastern DMZ indicate that he came directly across the
DMZ.
1 Enclosure
DIA Intelligence
Appraisal, Subj:
Evidence of Enemy
Attacks Across DMZ
(SCW)
cc:
Deputy Secretary of Defense
REGRADED er/i.riINNEN SEPARATED
FROM cus,sqp ENCLOSURES.
(Sgct) D. V. Bennett
EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC
REGRADING; DOD DIR 5200.10
DOES NOT APPLY
D. V. BENNETT
Lieutenant General, USA
Director
205153
APPENDED DOCUMENTS CONTAIN
SPECIAL INTELLIGENCE MATERIAL
DIASO ASSIGNED COY71`10 2- OF
SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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COPIES.
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' IP SECRET SPOKE 111
DIA INTELLIGENCE APPRAISAL
Evidence of Enemy Attacks Across the Demilitarized Zone
1. (SS) There is substantial intelligence available
indicating that the enemy has moved both men and materiel
directly across the Demilitarized Zone in support of the
current offensive in Quang Tri Province.
2. (SS) In the case of infantry units, absolute confirmation
in the form of a series of north-to-south ARDF signal
intelligence plots indicating passage of these units through
the DMZ cannot be established. However, the 27B and 31st
NVA Infantry Regiments have been noted in activity on both
sides of the DMZ while in the process of conducting
reconnaissance, stockpiling supplies and ammunitions, and
preparing staging areas for future activity.
3. (SS) In the case of artillery units, elements of the
164th NVA Artillery Regiment, long confirmed as operating
north of the.eastern DMZ, has been detected by ARDF in new
locations south of the DMZ. Additional indirect evidence
of the staging of artillery through the demilitarized zone
is noted in the fact that Quang Tri Combat Base has been
subjected to heavy incoming artillery fire. As this base
is beyond the range of artillery fired from north of the
DMZ, it is very probable that some NVA artillery has been
deployed through the DMZ to new firing positions to the
south.
4. (SS) While unable to establish their presence by either
ARDF or MRDF fixes, the National Security Agency has
reported that their analysis of the communications of the
36th and 102d Regiments of the 308th NVA Division indicate
that these units have been tactically committed to operations
_in. the Quang Tri area. Last identification of these
regiments in the vicinity of Dong Hoi makes it unlikely
that thesc units were deployed via NVN and Laos rather than
directly through the DMZ.
5. (SS) Hard evidence of the use of the DMZ as a direct
route of passage was noted in an enemy message intercepted
at 020517Z April (021317H). An unidentified rear service
element reported: "At the Ben Hai River we have finished
building a bridge. Our vehicles are crossing freely."
6. (S/NFD) An examination of recent sensor activations in
northeast Quang Tri has positively identified one corridor
used by enemy. forces. On 1 April sensor string 40-200 (see
map attached) detected 27 instances of activity which can
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be associated with movement of enemy vehicles and armor.
This sensor string is located one mile from an abandoned
ferry crossing of the Ben Hai River and one-half mile from
Route 606. It is likely that other entry corridors for
foot troops have also been used. The eastern DMZ area is
generally flat with numerous trails and roads, many not
monitored by sensor strings.
7. (SS) In addition, there is overwhelming circumstantial
evidence of a, direct thrust by the enemy across the DMZ.
The position of friendly bases immediately south of the
eastern DMZ, the speed with which they were overrun, the
absence of any evidence that these positions were attacked
from the flank or rear, all indicate that the enemy force
came directly across the DMZ.
Approved by:
J. F. BARLOW,
CAPT, USN 4%
Senior Duty Offloor
Date Prepared: 2 Apr 72
2
PCR PT qP(11? F
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:
-
44k
NORTH VIETNAM
.GULF OF. TON KIN.
DMZ
0 SENSOR STRING
SOUTH(VIE,TNAM
CONFIDENTIAL
NO FOREiGN oitsEivi
28 IVSAR 72
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