THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03017442
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: April 26, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2019
• Publication Date: December 5, 1967

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
MEMORANDUM
The Situation in Vietnam
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5 December 1967
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Novi Nut,
_Tap-Setrer.
WARNING
This document contains classified information affecting the national security
of the United States within the meaning of the espionage laws, US Code
Title 18, Sections 793, 794, and 798.
Top-Setter
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Information as of 1600
9 npnPmbPr 1967
HIGHLIGHTS
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No significant large-scale engagements have been
reported in South Vietnam, but there are signs the
Communists plan to intensify their winter-spring cam-
paign in III Corps and in the western Demilitarized
Zone.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
No significant fighting was reported on 5 December
(Para. 1). Communist forces continue to prepare
for offensive activities in the northern half of
South Vietnam's III Corps (Paras. 2-6). North Viet-
namese forces may plan attacks in the Khe Sanh area
of Quanq Tri Province (Paras. 7-10).
Military Developments in North Vietnam:
There is nothing of significance to report.
4
IV. Other Communist Military Developments:
There is nothing of significance to report.
V. Communist Political Developments: There
is nothing of significance to report.
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I. THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1. No significant large-scale engagements were
reported on 5 December, but there are indications
that the Communists plan to intensify their winter-
spring campaign on several fronts.
Enemy Activity in Northern III Corps
2. Enemy forces, including elements of three
Communist divisions, continue to maneuver in north-
ern III Corps. The 2nd and 3rd battalions of the
272nd Regiment and at least one battalion of the
271st Regiment--subordinate to the Viet Cong 9th
Division--have recently been involved in a series
of attacks northwest of Song Be. At the same
time, other elements of the three battalions may
be trying to set up another large-scale attack in
northern Binh Long or Phuoc Long.
3. The recent enemy activity in this area has
been concentrated just south of the Cambodian bor-
der and has involved several attacks on the Bo
Duc district capital and a nearby Special Forces
camp. On 4 December, the Communists directed five
mortar barrages, 123 82-mm. rounds, at allied positions
in the Bo Duc area.
4. Early on 5 December, an estimated battalion-
size enemy force attacked the "New Life Hamlet" of
Dak Son just to the northeast of Song Be. Allied
casualties were five killed and 16 wounded. Damage
to the montagnard village was heavy.
5 December 1967
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Quang Khe
DONG HOI
Movement of 304th
Division Subordinate
HON GIG
Muong Sen
Gio Linh
Ban Dong San
Lao Bao
Phong Dien
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STATUTE MILES
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5 DECEMBER
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Possible Threat to Khe Sanh
7. Several recent developments suggest that
the North Vietnamese may be planning to move again
into the Khe Sanh - Hill 881 area of western Quang
Tri Province.
8. On 29 November, the US Special Forces camp
just west of Khe Sanh at Lang Vei was hit by 10-15
rounds of heavy mortar or recoilless rifle fire. On
1 December, about 9 miles northwest of Khe Sanh near
Hill 881, a US reconnaissance patrol came under heavy
automatic-weapons fire from three different positions.
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9. Other factors point to the western Quang
Tri area as an enemy target. Route 9--the only access
road into Khe Sanh and Lang Vei--is now closed to
vehicular traffic. The road is muddy and five bridges
are out. US military officers estimate that the road
will not be reopened until the current monsoon season
tapers off in January. This restricts allied resupply
and reinforcement in the Khe Sanh area to airlifts,
weather permitting.
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10. The last major fighting in western Quang
Tri occurred in late April and early May when US
troops forced newly infiltrated elements of the
North Vietnamese 325th Division off high ground--
hills 881 and 861--overlooking Khe Sanh. At
present, it is unclear whether the North Vietnamese
intend to make another effort of that magnitude.
The position of Khe Sanh, in a mountainous region
some 40 miles from the coast, makes it a probable
Communist objective, however. Attacks here would
have the added advantage of divertinor allied forces
from Con Thien and other positions just below the
eastern Demilitarized Zone.
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II. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
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