PPS files, lot 65 D 101, “Indochina”
Memorandum by the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Bowie) to the Secretary of State1
Subject:
- G–2 Estimate on Level and Character of Present Chinese Communist Military Aid to the Viet Minh.
Chinese Communist military assistance to the Viet Minh currently falls into three general categories, viz., matériel, advisory (staff and [Page 1146] technical), and training. Shipments of military matériel and supplies during 1953 averaged about 750 tons per month or approximately 50 percent above the level achieved in 1952. Over half of these shipments consisted of POL and automotive supplies, the remainder being divided among ammunition, weapons, and signal and quartermaster type items. In addition, it is estimated that about 2,000 tons of food per month currently are being shipped to the Viet Minh from China for military use. In the realm of advisory assistance, Chinese Communist advisers are believed to function at division level and in the staff sections of the High Command. Their presence in specialized units (signal, engineer, artillery, antiaircraft artillery, and transportation) is considered probable. The total number probably does not exceed 2,000. Occasional visits to Viet Minh areas by Soviet “missions” have been reported, but not confirmed. Training of Viet Minh cadres, both political and military, apparently continues on a reduced scale in South China. Previously there was evidence that considerable numbers of Viet Minh regular troops, in battalion and regimental units, received training in South China. Technical personnel and small specialized units may also receive training in South China from time to time.