THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM NO. 5 - 1968/01/31

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06753745
• Document Creation Date: July 27, 2018

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CENTRAL INGELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
31 January 1968
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
The Situation in South Vietnam No. 5
(As of 12 NOON EST)
The focus of Communist military action appears
to have shifted back to the northern part of the
country on the night of 31 January. Major thrusts
were mounted against tities-along�thW.centrAltoast, It ap-
pears possible that the enemy is attempting to whip
saw the allied reaction, perhaps in the hope of im-
peding the friendly reaction.
More fighting, however, is also reported in the
Saigon area, while some of the Delta towns are ap-
parently also still under enemy pressure. Reports
indicated that fresh enemy attacks were expected in
some areas of the Delta on the night of 31 January.
1. Saigon: Information on the situation in
the city has been reported through about 10 PM local
Saigon time 31 January. In general, the scene of the
action has shifted to the southwest part of the town,
with Communist elements dug in and apparently beseiged
at various points, including the bank of the Kinh Doi
river and possibly the An Quang pagoda. Other fight-
ing is also reported in the Gia Dinh sector near
Ton Son Nhut airfield. Friendly air action has ap-
parently been conducted in this area and has resulted
in at least one fire in a residential section.
2. It is not clear whether the fighting now re-
ported in Saigon represents the rear guard action of
retreating Communist elements, or the attempted
entry of new Communist components into the area.
South Vietnamese police have reports, some from
prisoners, that the enemy planned to renew his at-
tack on the night of the 31st, using in part fresh
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elements from Communist units to the southwest, pre-
sumably from Long An Province. The Vietnamese au-
thorities were anticipating contact with the enemy
elements in this area.;.
3. The only ground fighting possibly still
underway in the central city area was reported dur-
ing the afternoon of the 31st (local Saigon time) in
the area of the presidential palace where police were
said to have trapped and beseiged some VC remnants
in a residential home.
4. MACV,also reports that about 10 PM local
Saigon time, small arms fire was occurring in the
vicinity of Ambassador Bunker's quarters and that
two claymore mines had apparently been set off in the
general vicinity.
5. It appears that American casualties in the
attack on the US Embassy may have been higher than
earlier reported. At least 4 US military police
were killed and possibly over 20 wounded. One Marine
was also killed and 7 wounded.
6. In the attack on the main Saigon radio sta-
tion, the enemy apparently penetrated the building.
Reportedly, the enemy intended to broadcast a message
of general revolt to the local populace. The enemy
reportedly seized several other radio stations in
the attacks on central coastal cities on 30 January.
He probably also intended to use these facilities to
broadcast calls for support from the populace at
large. There is no detailed information as yet on
this aspect, however.
7. The Delta: No major new attacks have been
reported in the Delta area in information received
through about 10 PM local time on 31 January. The
situation in various provincial capitals, however,
is not �yyt wholly clear. It appears that the enemy
offensive in this area also involved numerous attacks
on smaller district towns and allied facilities, some
of which were reportedly overrun. Following is the
current situation in the Delta towns and provinces
for which some detailed information is available:
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7. Soc Trang (Bo Xuyen Province): On the late
afternoon of the 31st, light fighting was reportedly
still going on in this town, with more expected to-
night. The airfield at Soc Trang was attacked, ap-
parently on the 31st.
8. Bac Lieu (Bac Liu Province: The town was
quiet on the afternoon of the 31st after a mortar and
small arms attack:.. Possibly there was no ground
probe in this area.
9. Ca Mau (An Xuyen): Some firing was still
going on in Ca Mau on the afternoon of 31 January,
but was reported sporadic. More fightingwas expected
at night.
10. Can Tho (Phuong Dinh Province): This town
was under friendly control on the afternoon of 31
January, but heavy fighting wae reported throughout
parts of the province. The VC possibly still held
a few strongpoints in the town, including one pagoda.
11. Rach Gia (Kien Giang Province): The situa-
tion had settled down here on the afternoon of the
31st after a day of sporadic mortar and small arms
fire.
12. My Tho (Dinh Tuong Province): On the after-
noon of the 31st the situation was improving, although
some firing was still reported. Heavy maneuver activ-
ity was also reported throughout the province. The
district town of Cal Be was mortared.
13. Ben Tre (True Giang): In this capital of
Kien Hoa Province the VC penetrated the city and en-
gaged the ARVN in street fighting. The enemy had
been driven to the outskirts of the town. The ,District
toWns-of'Ba Tri'And,Binh Dai in Kien Hoa were also
mortared.
14. Tra Vinh (Vinh Binh Province): On the
evening of the 31st, some local US authorities con-
sidered the situation "serious" and had requested
troops from the ARVN 9th Division.
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7. Soc Trang (Bo Xuyen Province): On the late
afternoon of the 31st, light fighting was reportedly
still going on in this town, with more expected to-
night. The airfield at Soc Trang was attacked, ap-
parently on the 31st.
8. Bac Lieu (Bac Liu Province: The town was
quiet on the afternoon of the 31st after a mortar and
small arms attack.. Possibly there was no ground
probe in this area.
9. Ca Mau (An Xuyen): Some firing was still
going on in Ca Mau on the afternoon of 31 January,
but was reported sporadic. More fightingwas expected
at night.
10. Can Tho (Phuong Dinh Province): This town
was under friendly control on the afternoon of 31
January, but heavy fighting was reported throughout
parts of the province. The VC possibly still held
a few strongpoints in the town, including one pagoda.
11. Rach Gia (Kien Giang Province): The situa-
tion had settled down here on the afternoon of the
31st after a day of sporadic mortar and small arms
fire.
12. My Tho (Dinh Tuong Province): On the after-
noon of the 31st the situation was improving, although
some firing was still reported. Heavy maneuver activ-
ity was also reported throughout the province. The
district town of Cal Be was mortared.
13. Ben Tre (Truc Giang): In this capital of
Kien Hoa Province the VC penetrated the city and en-
gaged the ARVN in street fighting. The enemy,had
been driven to the outskirts of the town. The District
toWns".of Ba Tri'And,Binh Dai in Kien Hoa were also
mortared.
14. Tra Vinh (Vinh Binh Province): On the
evening of the 31st, some local US authorities con-
sidered the situation "serious" and had requested
troops from the ARVN 9th Division.
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15. Vinh Long Province: An estimated 3 enemy
companies were involved in the attack on the Vinh
Long air base. Five aircraft were damaged. The
district town of Vinh Liem in this province was
repartedly overrun.
16. Chau Phu (Chan Doc Province): .According
to an unconfirmed report, this provincial town had
been overrun on the 31st. The deputy province chief
was reported missing. Reinforcements were enroute,
and all US civilians were being evacuated.
It Corps Area
17. Quang Tri City: Communist forces have
reportedly occupied positions to the north; east,
and west of the Quang Tri provincial capital,
and a major assault was expected on the night of
31 January. An enemy battalion which entered the
city during the night of 30 January has been driven
to the suburbs by ARVN reaction forces. Three ARVN
battalions are presently on the north side of the
city with another allied battalion in position to the.
east. .The security situation is still considered
in good shape, under the prevailing circumstances.
18. Hue: According to MACV, allied forces
are in full control of the Thua Thien provincial
capital and the situation there is relatively
quiet.
There had been earlier fragmentary reports
from the field that at least two Viet Cong sapper
companies had penetrated the Hue citadel, were
patrolling streets inside the citadel, and had
hoisted airiet Cong flag atop the main citadel
building,
19. Da Nang: Small arms, mortar, and
artillery continued through the night of 30-
31 January south of Da Nang city where the
US Marine airbase near Marble Mountain absorbed
its second consecutive rocket attack. Da Nang
airbase is fully operative after brief closure
for civilian traffic on the morning of 30 January.
There have been no Viet Cong-initiated incidents
or acts of terrorism within Da Nang city itself.
Demonstrations and a rally were instigated by
the enemy on 30 January at Tin Hoa Pagoda in
an attempt to persuade participants that the
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Viet Cong had won a significant victory and taken
over the city. This enemy propaganda play generated
little popular support, and GVN authorities made a
number of arrests.
US authorities in Da Nang feel the Viet Cong
attack against Da Nang city failed in its initial
thrust, and has reduced enemy capabilities in the
area to mortar/rocket harassment of military
targets combined with isolated and uncoordinated
sapper-type actions.
20. Quang Nam: South Korean forces have
apparently dislodged an estimated force of -300
Viet Cong heavily dug-in and interspersed with
the civilian population at the east end of Hoi
An, the Quang Nam provincial capital. The city
has been declared under allied control.
21. Quang Tin: The provincial capital of
Tam Ky came under heavy mortar, small arms, and
ground attack early on 31 January by elements of
the 21st NVA Regiment reinforced by two additional
NVA battalions. The attack was repulsed, however,
with enemy losses reported in .excess of 400 killed
(body count), the majority of whom were young boys.
Although the situation is now relatively quiet,
Communist forces remain on the outskirts of Tam
Ky, with further enemy offensive activity antici-
pated on the night of 31 January.
22. Quang Ngai City: The Quang Ngai provin-
cial capital, along with three nearby district
headquarters, caTe under heavy enemy attack dur-
ing the early morning hours of 31 January. Ac-
cording to late reports, the assault was repulsed,
with very heavy Viet Cong and relatively light
allied casualties resulting. Elements of the 2nd
ARVN Division have been committed to bolster th?
area defenses. Small pockets of enemy troops are
apparently still active in the .city, but they
are believed to pose no serious threat at this time.
The Central Highlands
23. Kontum City: The situation remains
unclear; however, at last report two enemy
battalions continued to control the Kontum pro-
vincial capital. Tactical air s�rikes have been
launched against a concentration of some 600-700
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enemy to the northeast of the city. Communist losses
are now reported to number nearly. 300 killed.
24. Pleiku City: The Pleiku provincial capital
is reported quiet and apparently under allied control.
Elements of the 22nd ARVN Ranger Battalion are re-
ported in sporadic contact with an unknown size Com-
munist force outside the city.
25. Ban Me Thuot: While the 31 January attacks
against the MACV compound and airfield at the Darlac
provincial capital were both successfully repulsed, the
overall security situation remains unclear.
Central Coastal Provinces
27. Phu Catt: On 31 January, Phu Cat subsector
headquarters received heavy mortar bombardment followed
by ground attack, with VC sappers penetrating the com-
pound. Contact continues.
28. Nha Trang: The Khanh Hoa provincial capital
is reported quiet and under allied control. Allied
reaction forces are continuing to press pursuit opera-
tions against a two-battalion force from the NVA 18 "B"
Regiment which yesterday captured the provincial head-
quarters and radio station and destroyed the sector
headquarters. Scattered enemy sniping continues on the
outskirts of the city.
29. Tuy Hoa: The Phu Yen provincial capital is
reported under allied control, although sporadic fight-
ing continues in outlying areas. A captive from the
NVA 5th Division has stated that his parent unit--the
5th Battalion/NVA 95"B" Regiment--was committed in its
grAIXtty. to the attack against Thy Hoa, and that the bat-
talion commander was killed. Enemy losses at Thy Hoa
thus far include 76 killed.
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30. Phan Thiet: An estimated two enemy battaltions
under cover of heavy mortar, fire, penetrated the outer
defenses of the provincial capital of Binh Thuan. The
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city is under heavy mortar fire. Heaviest action con-
tinues to focus on the MACV compound. US personnel
report that VC within the city have been seen chang-
ing into civilian clothes. US airborne and ARVN
reaction forces are attempting to bloc enemy routes
of withdrawal from the city.
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Other Related Developments
31. Communist propaganda is continuing to give
heavy play to the upsurge in military activity in the
South and stressing that it shows the US cannot ac-
complish its objectives. The unstated, but clear im-
plication, is that the US must resort to a political
compromise.
32. Hanoi has made no attempt, however, to por-
tray the current offensive as a conclusive or final
stage in the struggle, but is treating it as further
proof that Communists forces hold the initiative and
still are able to launch large-scale, coordinated at-
tacks. A broadcast on 31 January said the upsurge in
Communist military activity is a continuation of suc-
cess achieved during the past month.
33. There has been no Chinese Commudnist com-
mentary on the situation as yet. Soviet broadcasts,
however, are carrying both Western and Vietnamese
Communists accounts of the action and stressing the
US predicament. A commentary in Pravda on 31 January
says the Communist have launched a "new major offen-
sive" which disproves "US propaganda" that Viet Cong
forces are "depleted."
34. First accounts from the French press take
the line that by launching a "general offensive" the
Communists have again successfully demonstrated their
military capabilities and shown that the US has reached
an "impasse."
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