BATTLE AREA

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30512, 6 August 1964, Page 17

BATTLE AREA

X indicates the area in the Gulf of Tonkin where the battle between units of the American Seventh Fleet and the Communist forces took place. The 76,000 tons carrier Constellation put out from Hong Kong with four other warships to join the Ticonderoga’s squadron two days ago. It steams at 35 knots. The Constellation was completed just over two years ago at a cost of 200 million dollars. It carries more than 60 fighters and bombers and in addition to five-inch guns can launch Terrier guided missiles. It has a crew of nearly 3000 men. The Ticonderoga is a warbuilt attack carrier of 42,600 tons.

The 1000 m.p.h. Crusader jets carried by these two ships can attack with rockets or Sidewinder infrared missiles.

The destroyers Maddox and Turner Joy (the latter named for an admiral) displace about 3000 tons.

Other ships in the area have not been indicated either by name or numbers.

The American Defence Secretary, Mr Robert McNamara, said the engagement lasted for almost four hours and over a distance of 80 miles as the United States warships steamed on a southerly course.

He was unable to estimate how many torpedoes were fired at the Maddox and the Turner Joy, but the nearest were “between 100 and 200 yards abeam of the ships.” The North Vietnamese attackers at times turned searchlights on the destroyers and opened automatic fire at a range of about 800 yards, again without hitting them. Mr McNamara said his guess was that there were between three and six PT boats engaged in the attack.

No North Vietnamese survivors were picked up either yesterday or on Sunday, he said.

The North Vietnamese have between 30 and 40 gunboats.

About half are Russianbuilt craft capable of speed in excess of 50 knots.

The rest are Chinese, called “Swatow” boats, which can do between 37 and 49 knots.