This document is another report of intercepted communications from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, in which the DRV attacked US Naval vessels on Aug. 2nd, 1964.

Occurring on Aug. SEPT 17th and 18, these messages are several days after the incident, but the aggressive language used displays they were still on high alert. They must have either been planning another attack, or expecting one. The last line stated “The enemy had provoked LF attack us by sea and air” makes me believe they were expecting an attack, but it could also be read “The enemy had provoked LF attack US by sea and air” meaning they were going to be the ones attacking. Like other messages, it is not clear.

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident prompted the US Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave President Johnson authority to use military force to defend allies in the area and ultimately lead to the beginning of the Vietnam War.

[edit on 4/28/2008 by JacKatMtn]