REBELS ADVANCE ON SAM NEUA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28992, 5 September 1959, Page 13

REBELS ADVANCE ON SAM NEUA

“Last Ditch Stand” By Laos Army

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) SAM NEUA (Laos), September 4. The Laos Army has sent paratroops into the shaky defence area above the rebel-threatened northern mountain capital of Sam Neua and issued guns to its citizens, the American Associated Press reported. Brigadier-General Amkha Soukhaving said Communist advance units “are probing our lines only 18 miles away.”

He said a 4500-strong force of P athet Lao (pro-Communst) rebels, supported by Communist North Vietnam regulars, was grouping north of Sam Neua.

Officers issued sub-machine guns and ammunition to civil servants and school teachers for a “last-ditch defence” on the mountain-rimmed town.

In some areas, rebel patrols were operating well inside General Amkha’s 18-mile estimate. One Communist unit hit a small paratroop unit at Muong Pane, six miles north of Sam Neua, late yesterday.

General Amkha said almost 200 rebel prisoners had been taken and Government losses were about 60 dead or missing. He said the rebels, wearing lifejackets, were pushing across the river in dug-out canoes with outboard motors.

About 400 refugees from more than 80 villages captured or passed through by the rebels have walked to safety in Sam Neua. The rebels told them it was not worth their while to walk to Sam Neua because it would be captured within 10 days. General Amkha said.

The Laotian Defence Minister. Mr Phoumi Nosavan, said in Vientiane, the capital, that at least a battalion of Vietnamese regulars were in the field on the Sam Neua front.

“It’s classic warfare, not guerrilla tactics.” he said. “We intend to hold Sam Neua at all costs.”