THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 29, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 3, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/11/29: LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8
-'MEMORANDUM
ONTAI S veOrDEWORD
INFORMATION
April 3, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM: HENRY A. KISSINGER
Military Region I
South Vietnamese units continue to face heavy pressure as the enemy pushes
ahead with his offensive. Camp Carroll surrendered late Sunday afternoon
a nd intercepted North Vietnamese messages reveal that about 1, 000 prisoners
were taken at that base. ARVN continues to hold Route 9 between Cam Lo
and Dong Ha, however and later press reports claim that ARVN is counter-
attacking in the Cam Lo -Dong Ha-Quang Tri triangle.
Since the enemy offensive began, ARVN has lost 14 bases and Quang Tri
City now stands as the center of South Vietnamese defenses in the northern-
most province. The South Vietnamese are estimated to have lost about half
of the major artillery pieces they had in Quang Tri Province.
An estimated 8-10 NVA infantry regiments and elements of three artillery
regiments, two tank battalions and engineer, antiaircraft and other support
units are now involved in the enemy offensive. Intercepted enemy communi-
cations indicate that both the 304th and 308th NVA Divisions are now engaged
on the battlefield. In addition,. North Vietnamese engineers have erected a
bridge over the Ben Hai River in the DMZ and self- propelled artillery has
been sighted crossing it.
-- An estimated 50 NVA tanks with infantry support were sighted this
morning 2 miles northwest of Dong Ha and additional tanks were reported
some 9 miles north of Quang Tri city.
OSD Review
Complete
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
-- Communist anti-aircraft fire in Quang Tri Province is heavy and six
allied aircraft were destroyed on 2 April. One U. S. pilot was captured by
the North Vietnamese according to an intercepted NVA message.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/11/29: LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/11/29: LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8
a SECRET SENSITIVE CONTAINS CODEWORD
Air Operations Since March 31:
-- Thirty-two I3-52 sorties have been flown in the vicinity of Khe Sanh
with an additional 51 scheduled for the same area before noon today.
-- The USS Kitty Hawk has deployed to Yankee Station for commencement
of strike operations today.
-- There have been 5 protective reaction strikes against SAM sites in the
southern part of North Vietnam since the enemy offensive. No significant
bomb damage has been reported.
Naval Gunfire Su ort Ships:
The USS Waddell a guided missile destroyer, twice yesterday received counter
battery fire from enemy positions near the DMZ while moving into position
for a fire support mission. The Waddell countered with 51 rounds while evad-
ing, saturating the area with fire. No damage was incurred by the Waddell.
Military Region II
Thus far, the enemy has not launched a similar offensive to that in Mili-
tary Region 1. On 2 April, ARVN fought a 25-hour battle with an NVA force 18
miles northwe_; t of Kontum town and the town itself was hit by five rockets.
Milit r Re ions III and IV
Enemy initiated activity remains at a low level with no unusual attacks reported.
Allied Deployments
In order to bolster ARVN's northern defenses, a South Vietnamese Marine
brigade will be moved to Military Region 1 from Saigon beginning today. In
addition, a U. S. Army Air Cavalry Troop has been moved from Military
Region 3 to Military Region 1.
-- Three U. S. attack carriers are in position and providing tactical air
support to ground forces and a fourth, the USS Constellation, has departed
Yokosuka and is estimated to arrive off the Vietnam coast at approximately
mid-day on 7 April.
SECRET/SENSITIVE/CONTAINS CODEWORD
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/11/29: LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/11/29: LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8
SECRET_ SENSITIVEICONTAINS CODEWORD - 3 -
South Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Statement:
In a statement released today, the Republic of Vietnam appealed to the
peopi es and governments of the world to condemn the aggression by the
North Vietnamese Government and to demand their immediate withdrawal.
The statement made the following points:
-- The South Vietnamese Government strongly condemned the armed
aggression against the Republic of South Vietnam.
-- The enemy has sent three divisions, the 304th, the 308th and 324B,
supported by three Regiments of Artillery and anti-aircraft gun, one
Regiment of tanks and several surface to air missiles.
-- To date North Vietnam had only referred to National Liberation Front
(Viet Conga troops involved in the war, but now their forces blantantly opened
up an attack.
-- Should North Vietnam continue the aggression they must accept the
entire responsibility for all the consequences.
-- Despite the many times the :r have suffered heavy losses, the North
Vietnamese over the past three years have maintained their adherence to the
use of force for a military victory. They do not want a peace solution through
negotiation.
According to press reports, President Tlieu and Premier Khiem left for
Da Nang yesterday morning to confer with military commanders in Military
Region 1.
SECRET/SENSITIVE/CONTAINS CODEWORD
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/11/29: LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/11/29: LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/11/29: LOC-HAK-559-20-1-8