Declassified CIA documents on the Vietnam War - University Library

Document abstracts from U.S. Declassified Documents Online are included with permission from the Gale Group. U.S. Declassified Documents Online requires a subscription to access. Current USask library patrons can use their NSID and password to access the collection through our subscription. The USask Library cannot provide access to full-text documents for anyone outside our institution. Check with your local library to see if they subscribe.

Full-text documents may be available online from Texas Tech University's Virtual Vietnam Archive.

Learn more about the project: Lam, Vinh-The, and Darryl Friesen. "A Web-based Database of CIA Declassified Documents on the Vietnam War." Online 28, no. 4 (2004): 31-35.

Advanced search...

Title:

Viet Cong / North Vietnamese tactics and strategy for the Tet General Offensive

Date of Creation:

February 20, 1968

Date of Declassification:

June 15, 1995

Type of Document:

Report

Level of Classification:

NOT GIVEN

Status of Copy:

SANITIZED

Pagination, Illustration:

4 p.

Abstract:

According to Ho Phuoc, political officer of Viet Cong Quang Da - Da Nang Special Zone, General Nguyen Chi Thanh was recalled to Hanoi because of the failure of his strategy in South Vietnam. General Vo Nguyen Giap revised the new strategy, which was to be carried out in three phases, with the ultimate aim of forcing the Government of Vietnam to accept a coalition government with the National Liberation Front. Phase 1 called for a general offensive against the cities. If this failed, Viet Cong troops during Phase 2 would besiege the cities and, at the same time, lure US troops into the Khe Sanh area. Phase 3, which was expected to coincide with the establishment of a coalition government, would involve a decisive battle in the Kontum-Pleiku or Saigon area. In support of this new strategy, the North Vietnamese / Viet Cong planned to increase activities in Southern Laos to permit the infiltration into South Vietnam of most Regular North Vietnamese Army units. The latter would try to avoid pitched battles with US troops and, instead, to confine them their bases.

Declassified Documents Reference System Location:

1996-1295

Link to Full Text:

http://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=0010247002