SITUATION IN VIET MINH-HELD AREAS OF TONKIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R005600160005-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 17, 2000
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: August 17, 1950
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2Q,8! Q'-RDP82L457R005600160005-2
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COUNTRY
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDr,' I.AL/CCI TROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
CENTRAL INTELL GENCE AGENCY REPORT NO.
INFORMATION REPORT CD Nov
SUBJECT Situation in Viet Minh-held Areas of Tonkin NO. OF PAGES 1
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
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RETURN TO CIA
LIBRARY
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DATE DISTR.. 17 Aug. 1950
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
The bulk of the Viet Minh armed forces in the Tonkin area remain con-
centrated in a triangle formed by the Ha Giang, Bac Kan, and Thuyen
Quang provinces. In Jnnam, the Viet Minh is strong in Thanh Hoa, Ha
Tinh, and Nghean;
2. There is no evidence of armor-piercing anti-tank rifles or of new type
armored equipment at present,,* However, the Viet Minh Is known to have
a few rocket guns which are used mostly against brick wall outposts, and
have been occasionally fired on convoys. The French military believe
that these guns are of Soviet origin and were delivered through China,
3- The following is unconfirmed information based on rumors current among
the local Vietnamese:
a. The Viet Minh has received two or three small planes from the Chinese
Communists. Since such a small number could have little effect on
Viet Minh strength, it is believed the planes were sent for morale
purposes only. This rumor is unconfirmed by the French military.
b. Small airports are being built in the vicinity of Bac Kan.
c. It is believed that estimates of food shortages in certain Viet
Minh-held areas of Tonkin have been greatly exaggerated. Food
supplies are obtained by the Viet Minh through village raids and
tribute, and also through purchases smuggled-from Hanoi. The
latter is becoming ipereasingly difficult however.
d. The Ho piaster has depreciated considerably in some areas.
a. General air activity has increased locally,,
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CONFIDENTIAL
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDEIQTIAL`CuNT
STATE PSA IX $ NAVY 4 PISRB I I D1 RIBUTION
letter of 16 October 1978 from the
pp~~tO~bO 05/18: CIA-RD 45
PlPlifS
Next Review Date: 2008
This document is hereby regraded to
CONFIDENTIAL in accordance with the