Army Desertion Rate Drops

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30846, 3 September 1965, Page 15

Army Desertion Rate Drops

(N Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, September 2. The rate of desertions from South Vietnam’s armed forces has dropped by more titan half from a high point early this year, defence sources disclosed today.

This is considered a hopeful sign, possibly indicating an upswing in South Vietnamese morale and a rising confidence in the Government. Informed sources said that the desertion rate was now down below 5000 a month. About 10,000 men a month were pulling out of the forces

for about three months early this year. Officials refused to comment on these figures. Heavy Drain

Although the desertion rate has been cut by more than half, the fact remains that it still represents a heavy drain on a force already stretched so thin that the United States troop commitment has had to be increased heavily in Vietnam. United States officials said most desertions have been from part-time regional and home guard elements, rather than from the regular army. They were unable to say how many men went over to the Viet Cong and how many simply returned to their villages and farms.