VIET CONG AMBUSHES

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30828, 13 August 1965, Page 11

VIET CONG AMBUSHES

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

SAIGON, August 12.

A battle-mauled Government relief force reached Due Co last night as American troop reinforcements flew into the area, ready to defend the special forces camp, 216 miles north-east of Saigon.

The Vietnamese armoured column, ambushed at least three times by the Viet Cong on its drive from the central highlands capital of Pleiku, met paratroops defending the camp shortly before midnight.

An American official in Saigon said American airborne and infantry troops had been airlifted to Pleiku from Bien Hoa air base during the last two days. No decision had yet been taken on whether they would be comrnitted to defend the camp, which has been under determined guerrilla onslaughts for the last three weeks. This is the second time American troops have been alerted for possible use in a major action. During the Dong Xoai battle last June, airborne units were flown to an airstrip 20 miles from the battle scene but not used. Latest reports from Due Co said the situation was quiet, with only sporadic sniper Are But large communist forces were believed to be still in the area. Last night’s rendezvous was

made several miles east of the camp, which is a key target for Viet Cong guerrillas. The meeting of the two

forces is expected to ease the immediate pressure on Due Co—but Government commanders are still faced with extricating their troops from the guerrilla-infested jungle area. The armoured elements, with sufficient escort, will have to return by road and risk the threat of further ambushes. Other troops may be evacuated by helicopter. But with large communist forces nearby, any move by Government units to concentrate on a landing zone might expose them to heavy losses from a Viet Cong counter attack. Due Co has been defended by 300 tribesmen and 12 American special forces men against determined guerrilla onslaughts for the last three weeks. A Viet Cong radio broad cast last night said the guer rillas were eager to fight American airborne troops, and had been awaiting their arrival. Elsewhere along the Vietnam battlefront, a combined force of American Marines and South Vietnamese troops made a sweep yesterday around the southern fringes ■of the Da Nang air base.