FRENCH AIR ASSAULT

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27308, 26 March 1954, Page 11

FRENCH AIR ASSAULT

Vietminh Supply Lines Hit (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) SAIGON, March 25. drench pilots struck yesterday at a ? ain crawlin g south into with ~S? lna 4t from the Chinese border with tons of ammunition and food for tne hungry Communist besiegers of Dien Bien Phu. The pilots estimated that 130,000 and hundreds of trucks were n the supply train. Hoavy damage was caused. Vietzninh engineers, using unlimited coohe labour, have hacked a new i 9 - I ?" rt - eut road straight to the rebel positions m Dien Bien Phu. French airmen killed about 1200 yietmmh troops on this new busy 3U 2g le thoroughfare at the week-end. nl • Frencb ai *e flying around the W all -out attempt to prevent nutk of supplies from reaching the enemy forces.

A French spokesman said the food shortage of the Communist, General Vo Nguyen Giap, was critical. It was believed that he might be forced costl y siege of Dien Bien Phu if his supply line were cut or curtailed. The slowdown in Communist artillery fire pointed to a shortage of ammunition.

French forces have started a big amphibious operation in central Vietnam Infantry forces supported by aircraft struck north from a bridgehead established yesterday. The first objective is to occupy a zone 16 miles north of the bridgehead between the mountains and the sea.