Viet Cong Not Found

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 13

Viet Cong Not Found

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) THUDAUMOT (South Vietnam), Nov. 19. The largest operation of the Vietnamese war entered its second day today with still no sign of contact with Viet Cong guerrillas. ■ The operation, codenamed “Rrushfire,” was launched 20 miles north-west of Saigon yesterday with 7000 troops and more than 100 helicopters. Colonel Jasper Wilson, of the United States, senior adviser to the Vietnamese Third Army Corps said it was unlikely that many Viet Cong would be killed, and there were indications the Communists had all moved away from the area well before the operation began. When asked whether he had high hopes for success of the operation, Colonel Wilson bluntly replied: “No, no.” Only two Viet Cong have so far been captured. They were strolling along with their weapons and ran straight into the troops. American military authorities have little faith in such large-scale operations, which are expensive and ineffective. Bomb in Airport While Operation Brushfire continued, United States Army officials were still trying to find out who planted a bomb that exploded at Saigon Airport yesterday. Eighteen Americans and several Vietnamese were injured by the blast, which occurred in a restaurant inside a military security area at the airport. The restaurant was wrecked and flying debris damaged vehicles parked nearby. No damage was reported to United States

Air Force planes parked nearby. An Australian plane 60 yards away, had just landed with supplies for victims of the Central Vietnam floods, when the bomb went off. In Saigon today, United States military sources said a United States Air Force FlOO Super Sabre jet shot down over Laos yesterday exploded in flames and there was little chance the pilot survived, United Press International reported. The downed plane was one of two FlOOs accompanying a photo reconnaissance plane over southern Laos looking

for increased infiltration of Communist guerrillas into South Vietnam. 1200 More Men In Washington, officials said the United States sent an additional 1200 men and more transport planes to South Vietnam this month. The additional manpower brings the total of American servicemen in South Vietnam to about 21,200 —an increase of 5000 since the middle of last summer. Officials said the decision to increase United States forces did not represent any new strategy.