V. CONG DISRUPT TRANSPORT

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30814, 28 July 1965, Page 17

V. CONG DISRUPT TRANSPORT

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) SAIGON, July 27. American and South Vietnamese authorities have instituted a “crash programme” to combat the Viet Cong stranglehold of South Vietnam’s land transport system. The United States Air Force has agreed to move 75 tons of food supplies a day and South Vietnamese transport planes are flying around the clock. South Vietnam’s land transport system has been virtually knocked out by the Viet Cong. At one point on the main north-south road artery, heavy railroad ties protrude grotesquely from the asphalt highway where they were crudely buried. Twisted rails are still attached to some of them. They pose a formidable, seven-mile barrier to traffic, and serve the double purpose of knocking out the nearby north-south railway.

Along major and minor highways to the east, west, north and south of this point are numerous obstacles. They stretch the length and breadth of Vietnam. Mounds of dirt 10ft high block traffic on some routes. Others are impassable because of deep trenches slicing through them at 20ft intervals. Huge trees have been felled across mountain roads. Dozens of bridges have been blown up. Rail tracks have been buried in highways or just carried off into the jungle. Effective Method This primitive, elaborate and effective method of stopping Vietnam’s land commerce has been extended in recent weeks. Most inland Vietnamese cities are in a state of economic siege. They may be reached only by air or by heavily-guarded convoy. Government forces painstakingly open a road for the day, only to have it closed again during the night. This attempt to impose an economic paralysis over the whole country is a departure

from previous guerrilla policy. Reporters and officials who lived in Vietnam during the Indo-China war say the guerrillas at no time then attempted widespread disruption of. transportation routes.

French vehicles and military convoys were subject to ambushes, but civilian traffic flowed freely. The Vietnamese population, largely sympathetic to the Communists, were allowed to travel by bus, car or bicycle. One Frenchman recalled that during the battle of Dien Bien Phu, in North Vietnam, he drove his car from Saigon to Nakhet, in Laos, a journey unthinkable now.

The Viet Cong long has had the capability to carve up the South Vietnamese countryside. Experienced observers are wondering why they choose to do it at this particular time. One Theory

One theory is that they are making a desperate gamble to coincide with their monsoon offensive. They may be trying to deal a death blow to the economy. Others see the Viet Cong action as part of a gradual escalation of the war, the Viet Cong willing to risk popular disfavour for quick gains. Many Vietnamese already have proved fickle. Instead of blaming the Viet Cong for preventing the movement of foodstuffs and travellers, some Vietnamese complain of the Government's inability to keep the

roads open. Whatever the motivations, the Viet Cong policy is paying off. The U.S. Air Force has agreed to move 75 tons of food supplies a day, about half what the Vietnamese Government says is necessary.

Vietnamese transport planes are flying around the clock. Pressure on the central highlands was relieved a little last week with the opening of Route 19. Ten thousand troops kept the highway open for a week while about 1000 tons of supplies were moved to Pleiku. The troops later were reported moving out. U.S. Navy barges are moving vast quantities of supplies up to the central coastal cities of Nha Trang, Qui Nhon and Da Nang for redistribution inland. Railway traffic has virtually ceased.

More provinces are being affected by the Viet Cong highway-cutting each day. Initially 11 provinces in the highlands were hurt. Now provinces near Saigon are suffering from food shortages. U.S. officials see no end to

the problem, but hope that with the end of the monsoon season the Viet Cong activity will decrease.