FRENCH RETREAT IN INDO-CHINA

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26869, 23 October 1952, Page 9

FRENCH RETREAT IN INDO-CHINA

Fierce Offensive By Vietminh (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1130 p.m.) HANOI, October 22. French forces have been forced to withdraw over an area of 200 square miles around Nghai Lo, north* west of Hanoi, as the fierce Communist Vietminh offensive increases in intensity. The Vietminh troops, newly equipped with modern weapons, captured the French fortress of Nghai Lo on Monday and pushed towards the Black river, which runs from th* Thai country down through the vital rice-growing area of the Tanking delta. A French military spokesman said today that all French forces to the north, east and south of Nghai Lo had been withdrawn to a position on the Black river during the last three days.

The French forces to the west were locked in a violent struggle with overwhelming numbers of Vietminh troops, and were in retreat.

The military spokesman said today that French posts .within a wide radius of Nghai Lo were evacuated as successive waves of strongly armed Vietminh troops poured in from the north. In the west the French remnants were in retreat, and south of Nghai Lo the important large post of Van Yen had to be evacuated.

The spokesman said the French remnants to the west of Nghai Lo fought off fanatical attacks during the retreat. French paratroops dropped to aid them helped to stem attacks for three days, as the pitiful remnants, almost out of ammunition and food, retreated through the mountains. Other French sources' in Saigon said today that the Vietminh rebels were heading for Son La, 125 miles south of Nghai Lo. attempting encircling movements. The fall of Son La would be a serious threat to the French Associated State of Laos.

French Air Force bombers are continuing their attacks on the Vietminh forces in spite of bad weather.