MANPOWER, MORALE, EVACUATION - EXTRACTS FROM CIA-DIA APPRAISALS

Created: 1/1/1967

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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The mobilization of the entire population for national def enseserious labor difficulties.

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Vietnamese authorities have decided toreat portion of civilian population residing in the eastern section of Hanoi near Paul Doumer Bridge and near the electric power

Evacuation from Haiphong since American bombing began has reduced the populationoeople. The labor force in Haiphong predominately women. H

If it is excluded that Hanoi will not capitulate before American force, fatigue, and anxiety are also no less reaLf-

U.S. Air Force activity in the Hanoi area iseterioration of morale in the city, "

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Manpower. Morale, Evacuation (continued)

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the night alerts, citizens could be seen running wildly toward shelters. Thereefinite breakdown in order and the air raid wardens had difficulty in controlling the people. For the first time, it could be noted that people were making no attempt to hide their fear or fatigue.

The severity ofpr near Gla Lam) struck observers who did not hide their pessimism,

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ulnar days air activities were virtually continual00 daily. The constant series of alerts seriously inhibited school, repair work^and agriculture; alerts followed all-clears incessantly.

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e*rly April, the people of Haiphong seemed much more confident than they appeared inb. There appeared to be no shortages of consumer items at this time (no queues were seen and no complaints were heard from the people). This is in contrast to6 when there were shortages of consumer itemsostly soap, for which there were always queue*.

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villagers in the coastal area* of the North Vietnamese province* betweonhh parallel* hold the view that if the North Vietnamese government stopped infiltration of troops and aupplic* into South Vietnam then American bombing of their villages would stop. They state that they are becoming less impressed with their government's claim that attacking aircraft are being shot down, since few have witnessed the downing of any planes. Consequently, they are beginning to doubt seriously the Hanoi regime's boast of inevitableillagers living in frequently bombed areas are especially terrified of the air strikes and limit their daytime to the minimum. |

It aeemed surprising, none the less the fact, that none of the people in Haiphong took the North Vietnamese government's propaganda seriously, particularly the claims of the number of U. S. planes shot down or the claims of the size and number of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong in the south.

The villagers expressed resentment at having to repair bomb damage and dig defense trenches without compsnaation.

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Manpower, Morale, Evacuation (continued)

The morale of the North Vietnamese has beenevere blow by the realization that the war is not only lost economically but also militarily. Thoy now know that Soviet missiles are not capable of stopping air raids. They also fear that theannot cope with the technical superiority of the Americananoi cannot possibly continue the war for another two years, and even during that period its efforts would be reduced to sporadic raids of sabotage against installations.

Overflight of the capital did not cause any damage to Hanoi except that all activities were interrupted nine times. However, this war on nerves begins to affect morale of the Vietnamese who are known for their high morale. Some think that this is precisely one of. objectives.

All schools have been evacuated from Hanoi and Haiphong. Only people required to man the essential services remain in the twohe morale of the North Vietnamese was at the lowest in lateood has become scarce since the advent of the bombing and the North Vietnamese live miserably. Thereached from talking to the people is that they would like to see the war end as soon as possible.

The general Level of morale has suffered lately by the. aerial bombardments. The people no longer believeictory, bu^ievertheless continue to support the regime.

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Original document.

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