FRENCH ATTACKS IN INDO CHINA

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27096, 20 July 1953, Page 9

FRENCH ATTACKS IN INDO CHINA

Parachutists Work Behind Lines

(Rec. 11 p.m.) SAIGON, July 18. French forces who yesterday parachuted. into Langson, an important rebel supply area in Indo-China, today blew up a munitions dump. The explosion destroyed 1000 Skoda machine-guns, 20,000 litres of petrol, and 60 truck engines. Langson is a vast Vietminh stronghold 15 miles south of the China border.

The French High Command today described the raid as a complete success. Early reports said that only one French soldier was killed, and several wounded were evacuated by helicopter to Hanoi, where they had taken off a few hours before.

The raiders left Langson on Friday night and began a 65-mile trek back through mountainous enemy-held country.

This is the first big French operation behind the rebel lines in IndoChina since 1951 and it is expected to have a stimulating effect throughout the French Command in Saigon. It is regarded as a pointer to the offensive policy promised by the new French Commander-in-Chief, General Henri Navarre.

A French High Command spokesman said today that the raid may delay the expected Vietminh autumn offensive and will certainly relieve the pressure on Laos. Early reports said the Vietminh defenders were taken completely by surprise and only a few fought back. The French continued blowing up supplies and machinery throughout most of Friday. More than 100 Dakota transports and fighter-bomber planes took part in the raid in perfect weather. The French Press Agency reported that General Rene Cogny, commanding land forces in North Vietnam, and General Bodet, assistant to General Navarre, watched the raid from a plane flying over the scene.