South Vietnam Unit Mauled

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30862, 22 September 1965, Page 17

South Vietnam Unit Mauled

fN.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) SAIGON, Sept. 21. Viet Gong forces smashed into a unit of South Vietnamese troops only 20 miles south of the strategic Da Nang air base yesterday, inflicting heavy casualties.

It was the second time in a month that the Viet Cong had badly mauled Government troops trying to pin down a hard core guerrilla battalion operating in the area.

A United States military spokesman said that the South Vietnamese company was entering a village when a Viet Cong guerrilla disguised as a civilian opened fire.

This was the signal for Viet Cong units dug in along both sides of the road to attack with heavy automatic weapons fire.

At the same time the Viet Cong threw’ heavy mortar and grenade fire at a nearby Government outpost where light casualties were reported. Armed United States helicopters and jet fighter bom

bers and a full battalion of Government troops based nearby finally forced the Viet Cong to withdraw through nearby cane and paddy fields. There was no immediate assessment of Viet Cong casualties.

Two weeks ago another Government battalion was mauled by the Viet Cong.

Wool Finn.—Values tended in sellers’ favour for all the better-style fleece and skirtings while rates for all other descriptions remained firm on yesterday’s rates at the Brisbane wool sales today.— Brisbane, September 21.