Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

751G.00/11–2452

Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Allison) to the Under Secretary of State (Bruce)¹

secret

[Washington,] November 24, 1952.

Subject:

• Military Developments in Viet-Nam

Since my last memorandum to you on this subject dated November 17th,² several developments of note have occurred.

The Franco-Vietnamese reconnaissance in force which had advanced during the week of November 10th to Phu Doan was successful in capturing large quantities of Communist matériel, the most significant of which was 25 tons of 120 mm mortar shells of Soviet manufacture (about 1,500 shells) plus four Molotova trucks of Russian origin. The complete list is attached³ showing Chinese, Japanese and even US stocks as well. This is the first time that such significant quantities of enemy matériel have been seized.

The reconnaissance in force, having completed its mission, was engaged in drawing back when it was violently attacked on November 17th by a strong Viet Minh force, with the result that six Franco-Vietnamese half-tracks and two tanks were destroyed. The enemy is said to have suffered over 1,500 casualties while losses to friendly forces were about 150 killed. Phu Tho is believed still to be held by the Franco-Vietnamese forces.

On the southern front, along the Black River, Viet Minh units have captured the Franco-Vietnamese garrison at Moc Chau (at the southeast flank of the defensive line) and have virtually surrounded Lai Chau and its airstrip (the northwest flank). The Franco-Vietnamese Headquarters at Son La (see map),⁴ withdrew according to newspaper accounts, on November 23rd, and the defending forces, amounting to about nine battalions are now grouped in the vicinity of Na San. The Viet Minh have surrounded Na San and its airstrip, and a strong attack is anticipated. The ability of the 6,000 odd Franco-Viet forces to hold is uncertain.

Flare-ups within the Hanoi-Haiphong perimeter continue, with a recent attack near Hung Yen being of unusual intensity. The post was successfully defended, but many Viet Minh soldiers continue to roam the area and constitute a continuing threat.

There continues to be no evidence of Chinese Communist preparations for invasion in the near future.

1. Transmitted through H. Freeman Matthews, Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
2. In his memorandum of Nov. 17, Allison reported that the major Viet Minh drive along the Black River had shown no new developments for several days, and that a French countermove out of the northwest corner of the delta perimeter had not met any resistance of consequence. (751G.00/11–1752)
3. Not printed.
4. Not reproduced.