THE ENEMY THREAT TO KHE SANH (ALSO ATTACHED) THE ENEMY THREAT TO KHE SAN H DATED 2 FEBRUARY 1968 + CONSTRUCTION AND LOGISTIC ACTIVITIES IN THE KHE SANH AREA DATED 7 FEBRUARY 1968 - 1968/01/10

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00028244
• Document Creation Date: July 27, 2018

Approved for Release: 2018/07/26 C00028244
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Approved for Release: 2018/07/26 C00028244
SEC/ET
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
10 January 1968
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
The Enemy Threat to Elle Sanh
Summary
In the past several weeks there have been a
number of indications that the enemy is building
up its forces in the Laotian panhandle west of
the Demilitarized Zone.
The target primarily threatened by these
forces appears to be the allied base at Ehe Sanh
in wes4.ein Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam.
Enemy reconnaissance and probing activity near �
Xhe Sans. as increased markedl in the last few
weeks.
Nmunis s could be using
t e time etween now aid the Tot holzdays to com-
plete their concentration around }he Sanh in prep-
aration for an offensive after Tet.
.Kote: This memorandum was produced solely by CIA.
ff�i7ta:: prepared jointly by the Vietnamese Affairs
Staff and the Office of Current Intelligence.
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The Communists could muster a total force of
over 20,000 should they deede at some point to com-
mit all personnel from the elements of the four di-
visions now in the general area. This is consider-
ably more than they would need merely to take )(he
Sanh. Their primary objective in attacking Khe
Sanh would be to draw US reinforcements _Into the
area, tie them down to static defensive positions,
and inflict maximum casualties on US forces over a
period of time.
The buildup of forces in Laos and western
Quang Tri Province als1 strengthens North Vietnam-
ese defense of the Laos corridor. There have beggl
indications e�f Hanoi's concern oyer the possible
extension of the US electronic "barrier" and strong-
point system into Laos.
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The Current Situation
1. Developments in recent days strongly sug-
gest that the Vietnamese Communists intend once
a9ain to increase military pressure against the
strategically placd outpost at Khe Sanh, on Route
9 in Quang Tri Province.
2, The post, approximately nine miles from
the Laotian border, is used as a base for observa-
tion :.(1 interdiction of enemy infiltration ac
tivities in the area. It Was last beseiged in the
winter of 1967, following the movem(nt of the North
Vietnamese 325C Division into the western DMZ area.
Elements of the 325C have again moved into the rz-
gion, afte a period oA:. rest and refitting in North
Victncm.
3. The units mentioned above probably would -
take the primary rol:, in an ommunist effort to
step up action at Khe Sanh.
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5 1 information also indicates that
the Communists are ,reparing for an offensive around
?he Sanh, Photography on 2 December of an area
about five miles northwest of Elle Sanh revealed 21
foxholes, two fortified hilltops, rd heavy trail
activity. On 26 and 27 Decemoer, an unknown force
twice attempted to penetratc the defensive perimeter
of friendly forces on Fill 861. On 27 December, a
friendly reconnaissance team contacted an ostimated
15-20 enemy four miles northeast of Vhe San:). On
2 January, an enemy force of. aho,:c six men engaged
a Marine squad at a listeni,Ig post about .two miles
north of Rhe Sanh. The next day a ratrol was gre-
naded; the patrol also observed lights on a trail
near :-toute 9. These incidents all point to increased
enemy reconnaissance against the Rho Sanh il'embat
base.
Enemy 9J)).!ctiyep.
.6. The most obvious conclusion to he drawn
from the buildup around /the Sanh is that t;lo encMy
may hope to wipe out tre US clarrtson there and the
Civilian Irregular Cnfensc2 Corps (CDG 1 camp at
Lang Veit about five miles to the iouthwest on
Rout.. 2 9. The Comhunists have loroq regardefl be Sanh,
located near the infiltration corridors in Laos, as
a thorn in their side. 1ccoi'Ji.)10 to the latest
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