FOIA: Unknown - Teletype message 002 (Gulf of Tonkin)

relea00278.pdf
Unknown - Teletype message
This is a Teletype based on communications intercepted of DRV origin
Document date: 1964-08-02
Department: NSA Headquarters, Ft. Meade, MD (DIRNSDA)
Author: SIGINT; Phu Bai
Document type: Teletype
pages: 3


Archivist's Notes: This Teletype includes a number of DRV communications and discusses the state of troops, a torpedo launch, location of American vessel(s), and repair of a DRV vessel.




[edit on 6/18/2008 by JacKatMtn]

This document is an unmarked 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.

This communication is difficult to read, but it looks like it was orders for DRV patrol boats. It says that troops are healthy, gives the location coordinates of enemy ships with the order to launch a torpedo(?), and also mentions a boat is in need of repair.

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.

Related FOIA Documents:
FOIA: DRV attack on US Ships in Gulf of Tonkin; 2 - 4 August 1964
FOIA: Summary of DRV Naval Communications Revealing Pre-Planned Attacks on USS Maddox
FOIA: SIGINT Reflections of DRV Attacks on USS Maddox - 08/08/1964


Here are links to other Readiness Reports:
FOIA: SIGINT Readiness Bravo, Lantern Report Number 1
FOIA: 2/G11/VHN/R07-64 SIGINT Readiness Bravo Report Nr 2
FOIA: 2/G11/VHN/R08-64 SIGINT Readiness Bravo Lantern Report Nr 3

Yes, this one is difficult to read. It does appear that these are orders coming from Port Wallut (NVA Naval Headquarters) to attack boats. It looks to me as if the NVA boats had lost their prey, where they state;

Separated by 1 hour

Then it appears that there are coordinates given to re-aquire the target;

Find course again

Then it looks as if they are given orders to pursue, and to launch a torpedo. I also agree on the portion where there are repairs to be done.