BIG CLASH IN TRUCE

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31378, 25 May 1967, Page 13

BIG CLASH IN TRUCE

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, May 24. American infantry, backed by tanks, aircraft and artillery, fought for more than 24 hours with a Viet Cong battalion in the northern coastlands during the much-broken truce for Buddha’s birthday, a United States spokesman said in Saigon today..

The Americans, numbering several companies, reported killing 43 and losing eight dead themselves before the Viet Cong withdrew under the pounding of bombs and shells yesterday afternoon.

The battle was not included in an American list of 71 incidents initiated by the Viet Cong during yesterday’s 24hour truce, declared by the Saigon Government and its allies.

Three Vietnamese children were reported killed and three women wounded early today by an American mortar shell landing in the town of Dau Tieng, 39 miles northwest of Saigon. BUS MINED

In the same area, a mine went off under a threewheeled bus yesterday, killing seven Vietnamese civilian the United States spokesman said. United States Air Force 852 Stratofortresses dumped scores of tons of high explosives on Communist troop concentration areas within 12 miles of Saigon after the 24-

hour truce ended. United Press International reported. The spokesman said North Vietnamese units in the Central Highlands 220 miles north-east of Saigon began lobbing mortar shells minutes before the agreed end of the pause. CIVILIANS HIT Four United States infantry were wounded in the first round of mortar shells. A second barrage was reported to have hit u Vietnamese village just outside a nearby United States Army Special Forces camp. It killed six civilian* and wounded five, he said. United States commanders sent helicopters and gunships after the Communist mortar crews, who fled.