Anzac Troops Clash With Viet Cong

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 48

Anzac Troops Clash With Viet Cong

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 9.

The Anzac Battalion has reported three recent contacts with Viet Cong forces while taking part in Operation Stafford in northern areas of Phouc Tuy province, according to a statement issued today by the Defence Department.

In the first, three Viet Cong were killed and one machinegun and two rocket-launchers were captured. On the night of April 25 two Viet Cong moved into one of the battalion’s positions. One enemy soldier was killed and another wounded. A rifle was captured.

There were no Anzac casualties.

Last Tuesday soldiers of the battalion clashed with four Viet Cong. Two Viet Cong were killed and a grenade launcher was captured. Ration Cache Found

New Zealand soldiers in the battalion have also found an enemy ration cache containing 569 tins of condensed milk, 20 packets of rice, 10 pounds of salt, 35 pounds of sugar, six pounds of tea, and five tins of fish. Meanwhile, elements of sth Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, operating south-east of Nui Dat on Operation Surfside, have located a number of enemy buts and bunkers.

In one bunker they founS a quantity of fishing gear and about 100 pounds of fish.

Degree Conferred. The name of Mr D. G. Holloway was inadvertently omitted from the list of University of Canterbury graduands who were capped on Thursday. Mr Holloway received the degree of bachelor of arts.