Viet Cong Used Russian Rockets

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 17

Viet Cong Used Russian Rockets

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) SAIGON, February 28. The United States military command confirmed today that the Viet Cong used longrange Russian-built rockets for the first time in yesterday’s attack on the Da Nang air base which killed or wounded 92 persons, United Press International reported.

Military spokesmen said that an investigation verified that the 104 mm. rockets were used in the assault, killing 47 persons including 12 Americans, and 45 other soldiers and civilians in a nearby village were wounded. From 6 Miles Jet planes, several base buildings, and about 150 homes in the village of Ap Bo were destroyed in the attack. United States military headquarters said that the rockets, each of which weighs about 851 b, were fired in groups of six to eight from positions about six miles away. Teams of special weapons’ experts reported finding two firing tubes and numerous canisters. The tubes carried Russian markings. “The weapon is a simple, single metal tube mounted on a wooden board with a very simple elevation and deflection device,” an official said. “It is fired electrically by wiring a group of weapons to a firing point.” Officers said that two clusters of firing positions were

found six miles from the base. One bad 64 positions and the other 70 positions. The rocket has a longer range than any other weapon previously used in South Vietnam by the Communists. About 51 rockets hit the airbase in yesterday’s predawn attack.