WAR IN BRIEF

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31335, 4 April 1967, Page 17

WAR IN BRIEF

(NJ-P-A.-Kenter—Copyright) SAIGON. April 3. A captured Viet Cong battle plan led to Americans killing 591 guerrilla troops near the Cambodian border on Satur-day-one of the worst Viet Cong military debacles of the war. Twenty-four Americans died and 68 were wounded in the battle, which took place three miles from the Cambodian horder deep in War Zone C. About 40 of the 2200-man attacking force breached the American positions. HONG KONG, April 3. The Viet Cong claimed today to have inflicted heavy casualties on American troops in fighting in South Vietnam's War Zone C. A Liberation Press Agency dispatch quoted by the North Vietnam News Agency tonight said that between March 30 and April 1, one battalion of the United States Ist Infantry Divirion and one company were “completely wiped out” NUI DAT (South Vietnam), April 3. Australian troops engaged in Operation “Portsea” today started their drive to resettle Vietnamese villagers living in what they regard as enemy areas of Phuoc Tuy province. HONG KONG, April 3. The Peking “People’s Daily” said yesterday that Thailand was courting Its own doom by allowing the United States to use its territory for attacks on neighbouring Vietnam. WASHINGTON. April 3. The United States Senate Military Preparedness Subcommittee reported yesterday that in spite of heavy casualties, the Communists strengthened their Vietnam forces last year and re-equipped main units with “a new family of weapons.” The report said main Communist units had been resupplied with modern Soviet and Chinese weapons mainly small arms, mortars, mines and recoilless rifles, “plus several types of rockets."

Duty Free.—Australia’s two main domestic airlines may purchase six Douglas DC9-300 aircraft duty free, the Customs Minister, Mr Ken Anderson, announced today. This revokes a decision made in September, 1965, under the Australia - United Kingdom trade agreement, to charge 71 per cent duty.—Canberra. April 3.