ACTIONS TAKEN TO IMPROVE INTELLIGENCE COLLECTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 5, 2012
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: July 21, 1970
• Content Type: MISC

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
W W
fP;T!~ t; cyr pA.~n .
1N t'wN yw yl vC/ ', L~
21 July 1970
ACTIQNS TAKEN TO IMPROVE
1. (U) A US Air Force C-117 has been assigned to the ~25X1
on a permanent basis and is in place at Phnom 25X1
Penh as of 20 July 1970.
2. (TS/HVCCO) CINCPAC reports that authority was granted
to COMUSMACTHAI to release photographs and initial and supple-
mentary photo interpretation reports from tactical
. 3. (TS/HVCCO) The 10-day test targeted 'against Communist
communications in Cambodia and utilizing BENCH ROYAL C--130
assets 25X1
by.COMUSMACV.
25X1
5. (S)RVNAF Special Security
Technical r73 anch as eployed tactical intercept teams into
Cambodia. These teams are operating with their parent ARVN
divisions in the Fishhook area and at.Chiphu and Kompong Speu.
DIA, NGA, ARMY,
NSA, reviews
completed.
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
AD ~. 1~ /` tart ji .1h 41 -10 ?..rl. .+.
MACV J-2 to was made during the period 25X1
11-18 July 1970 to coordinate matters of mutual intelligence
was initiated on 21 July 1970.
1L (TS) A three day liaison visit by a?representative of
interest and to.
Attachment 4
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
.MEMORANDUM FORt
y''RO M
ww =
Attached at Tab A is a I3IA app
in C*mbodia. Its major
operations not
Cambodian
September 7, 1970,0 remains stalled and seems
direly to press to its origbW objective., Kemp
Th*m.
attempts to reopen R e 6 to KonVoiag Thom
THE PR., 13I NT
NRL A. F3SINGr R
The Military Situation. In
Cambodia
the curren
situation
The vy4ti-battallon Cambodian fares which began
Recent Con nw st moves have to
Kong Cham on Route 7.
the town
The o Xia c is that without aside "vista ac** Cax beadlan
Meng Roar 6 appear to have little prospect for success In their
mission. Moreover, the enemy threat to that force has greased
& ad there is a danger that the column will be subject to piecemeal
attack.
It is Ukevise doubtful that Vices by
themselves Can reopen Rote 7 so long as enemy
forces rewsin in the area.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
2
CONTAINS CODEWORD
effective air operations.
Enemy forces west of K. oznpong Chazn total about 3, 800 men compared
to Cambodian forces of some 27, 000-28, 000 men. East of Kompong
Chanmi, the Communists have some 1.1, 400 men whereas the Cambodian
Government has only one 400-man commando battalion.
I have spoken to Admiral Moorer about.this situation and expressed
my concern that after repeated efforts we have been unable to get
accurate intelligence until the situation has deteriorated. He states
that one of the factors which have enabled the enemy to build up in
recent weeks is the very poor weather conditions which have limited
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
CONTAINS CODEWORD
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
'25X1:
CQPY?
724 500
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05 LOC -HAK-540-17-19-3
p SECRET
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
CAMBODIAN SITUATION IN THE VICINITY OF ROUTES 6 AND 7
Cambodian forces are having little success in their
operations northeast of Phnom Penh where the enemy continues
heavy pressures.
The multi-battalion FANK force, which departed Skoun on
7 September 1970 to reopen Route 6 to Kompong Thom, remains
stalled in the general Tang Kauk area. There is no indi-
cation that this force will press on to its objective.
The most serious loss to FANK forces occurred on 5
December when three government battalions near Peam Chikang
(south of Route 7) were routed in a Communist attack. Ini-
tial.reports placed FANK casualties at 100 KIA and 100 WIA,
but subsequent information suggests that government
casualties were far higher.
The movement of enemy forces into the Peam Chikang
area virtually completes the isolation of Kompong Cham.
Until now, the government has been able to resupply the city
by river convoys. The enemy's presence in the Peam Chikang-
Mekong area permits him to disrupt what was a relatively se-
cure supply route to the city.
The commander of FANK forces in Kompong Cham is con-
centrating on defense of the city and shows no disposition
to move his forces westward in an attempt to reopen Route 7.
This yields the initiative to the enemy and gives the VC/NVA
the option of shifting forces and significantly increasing
the existing threat to government units in the Skoun-Tang
Kauk area.
Outlook
Without outside assistance the FANK forces in the general
Tang Kauk.area appear to have little prospect of success in
their mission. It is considered unlikely that this force
will attempt to press on to Kompong Thom9 its objective, or
that it will be successful if it does so. At the same time,
the Communist threat to this force has increased, and the
danger that the column will suffer a serious defeat is always
present
It is likewise doubtful that government forces by them-
selves can reopen Route 7 and maintain their line of communi-
cations between Skoun-Kompong Cham so long as present VC/NVA
DIA Intelligence Appraisal
TOP SECRET UMBRA
Page 1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
 TYlD QDC D DT Y TA)r DD A
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
w
r sxau
'13.ATEA
TOP SECRET UMBRA
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
forces remain in that area, i.e., the area bounded by
Route 7 on the north, the Mekong River on the south, and
Skoun and Kompong Cham.
Status of Routes 6 and 7
Route 6 is closed between Phnom Penh and Skoun due
to the enemy presence at Bateay, Route 6 is also closed
between Tang Kauk and Kompong Thom due to the enemy presence
and destroyed bridges.
Route 7 (Krek to Skoun) is a one lane road, part of
which is bituminous surfaced and part gravel. The road is
in fair to good condition, but a damaged bridge 2.5 miles
east of Tonle Bet is impassable. Bypass possibilities
include repairing the latter or constructing a pontoon
bridge. Alternate roads to.bypass the damaged bridge are
unsatisfactory, and cross-country movement is impossible.
At least seven other bridges have been damaged on this
section of Route 7, but bypass bridges or repair of the
damaged ones allow traffic. A major obstacle to through'
traffic is the Mekong River. Passage on the river has been
accomplished in the past by the use of 40-ton, diesel-power-
ed, ferry craft. Elements of three VC/NVA regiments are in
the vicinity of Route 7 between Skoun and Kompong Cham.
Status of Kompong Chain Airfield
The Kompong Cham Airfield is located 3.5 miles north-
northwest of the city and is constructed of asphalt. The
runway is 131 feet wide and 3,900 feet long. Elevation of
the airfield is 148 feet.
on 9 December C-47 s
operated by it, erica were using the airfield.
Order :of Battle
West of Kom2ong Cham
The VC/NVA concentration in the Route 7 area of northern
Kompong Cham Province includes three regimental headquarters
plus their nine battalions, two independent battalions, and
their headquarters personnel for a total strength of 3,800
men.
Cambodian forces within the triangle bounded by Phaav,
Tang Kauk and Kompong.Cham number 49 battalions and some
27,000 to 28,000 personnel. They are concentrated in the
following areas:
9 Dec 70
DIA Intelligence Appraisal
TOP SECRET UMBRA
Page 2
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
0
,2 75TH REGT
."1 9 6N5
V275 REGT
~
{ PREY TO UN / EA
; I
9 SNS
25
STATUTE MILES
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
PHNOM PENH_*
,
i
TOP SECRET UMBRA
9 O EC 70
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
Phaav
9
bns
5,600
Skoun
8
bns
45700
Tang Kauk-Prakham
13
bns
6,200-7,200
Prey Totung.
9
bns
4,800
Kg
Cham Airfield
2
bns
700
Kg
Cham
8
bns
5'0.100
Total
49
27$100-28:'100
East of Kompong Cham
The VC/NVA concentration from Tonle Bet east along.
Route 7 to the RVN border is characterized by four general
groupings. First, the 9th VC Division with its 95C and
271st Regiments (13 battalions, 3,690 men) are in the
general area of the Chup Rubber Plantation. Immediately to
the east is the 7th NVA Division with its 141st, 165th, and
209th Regiments (16 battalions, 4,980). The 96th and
208th Regiments of the 69th Artillery Command Gp and two
independent battalions (8 battalions, 1,880 men) are dis-
posed in the Fishhook area. Northeast of this area is the
headquarters of the 5th VC Division (2 battalions, 850 men).
These forces total 39 battalions and 11,400 men.
The only Cambodian unit east of Kompong Cham is the
400-man Commando Battalion last reported at Tonle Bet.
(TOP SECRET UMBRA)
DIA Intelligence Appraisal
TOP SECRET UMBRA
Page 3
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3
DISTRIBUTION:
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE -?
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
ASS.IS'ANT 'SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
(International Security Affairs).
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
(Systems Analysis)
CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF .-
i r
DIRECTOR, JOINT STAFF'
DIRECTOR; J-3: (OPERATIONS)
DIRECTOR, J-5-(PLANS.9 t'OLICY)
-WHITE HOUSE -SITUATION ROOM
CENTRAL INTEILIGENCt, 'AGENCY'
DEPARTMENT OF ' STATE'; := `..
h:+
ASSISTANT CHIEF-OF STAFF, INTELLIGENCE (ARMY)-
DIRECTOR OF NAVAL 4TELLIGENCE11
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/09/05: LOC-HAK-540-17-19-3