Village Hit By U.S. Jets

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31312, 7 March 1967, Page 15

Village Hit By U.S. Jets

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, March 6. The United States Military Command today admitted that two United States jet fighters made an accidental attack on a South Vietnamese village in which some 100 Vietnamese were killed and 175 injured.

The aircraft responsible for the bombing of Lang Vei village on the night of March 2 had until now been listed as “unidentified” while an investigation continued.

The two dark-coloured delta-wing aircraft blasted the tribal village near the Laotian border into ruins in a 25-minute bombing and strafing attack. Many of the 2000 tribesmen in the village at the time had gone there from outlying areas for protection from the Viet Cong and the war. Each of the jets made three passes at the village, dropping at least two heavy bombs and turning Lang Vei Into an inferno of flames and smoke. No Explanation The American military spokesman said that as yet he had no explanation for the accidental attack, the Associated Press reported. He said

normal procedure in such a case was for the Air Force to convene a board of inquiry to investigate the accident and rule on who was responsible. He said the two United States Air Force F 4 Phantoms dropped bombs and also fired rockets into the village. The spokesman declined to say what type of bombs were 1 used or name the base the ! planes flew out of. ’ A United States Army captain who observed the attack ’ from the United States Special Forces camp on a hill ; overlooking Lang Vei, said on ; Saturday that the two delta- • winged jets came from the ' direction of Laos. The Lao- , tian border is just 2000 yards ' to the west of Lang Vei. ; A United States mission ’ spokesman aid yesterday that 1 the equivalent of 50 United - States dollars was being given to relatives of the dead ' and injured as emergency aid. s United States Marines ; moved into the village to help ■ unload food, clothing, tools I and tents that were flown in.