Neutralist Losses During Retreat

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30445, 20 May 1964, Page 17

Neutralist Losses During Retreat

(N.Z.P: A.-Reuter—Copyright) VIENTIANE, May 19. Laotian Neutralist forces were today reported to have abandoned 300 dead and wounded when they retreated from the Plain of Jars in central Laos on Sunday under a Pathet Lao attack.

This was reported by the i headquarters of General Kong i Le, the Neutralist commander, according to a Western 1 military officer who flew back i from Ban Khong, near the i plain yesterday. 1 General Kong Le had set 1 up a command post at Ban Khong, six miles south-west of Muong Phanh, his former headquarters which he had to evacuate. The officer said the Pathet Lao were less than two miles away from Ban Khong and could attack in force at any time.

Most of General Kong Le’s 17 Russian-made P.T.-766 tanks on the plain had successfully fought their way out of Muong Phanh under Colonel Soulidith, the armoured corps commander.

Colonel Soulidith and his tanks fought their way back to the base at Muong Kheung, 15 miles north of Muong Phanh through narrow mountain passes. They lost only six tanks on the way. However, the Neutralist troops were reported to have lost all their artillery. They destroyed at least four 105 mm. howitzers before retreating and two more got stuck in the mud. An officer said he counted about 130 badly wounded Neutralist soldiers at Ban Khong airstrip awaiting rescue by airlift. The Neutralist troops regrouped in the open after retreating from Muong Phanh

with their guns and ammunition: The officer quoted General Kong Le as saying he intended to hold out at Ban Khong and was deploying four infantry battalions into strong positions.