Action Again Near Phnom Penh

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32385, 26 August 1970, Page 13

Action Again Near Phnom Penh

(N.Z.P.A.?Reuter—Copyright) PHNOM PENH, August 25. Heavy fighting raged for several hours past daybreak today within nine miles of Phnom Penh after two late-night attacks by Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops.

A Cambodian military spokesman, Major Am Rong, said that the attacks were in the Prek Tameak area, nine miles northeast of the capital and at Saang, 17 miles south of Phnom Penh.

An estimated five battalions of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers struck at 11.30 pan. last night against Government positions held by three Cambodian battalions in the Prek Tameak region, he said. Fighting continued until 6.30 a.m. today and the area was reported quiet again late: this morning. Major Am Rong said that further Cambodian reinforce-

. ments were not immediately , needed in the area, where , there had been heavy fighting ' last week. I “They (the Communists) ; launched several unsuccessful . assaults last night against our troops who held their post1 tions while inflicting heavy ; casualties on the attackers,” be said. Casualties in the fighting I last night were not immedii ately .known. Major Am Rong said that the Cambodian force was reI ceiving strong support from . aircraft and river gunboats.

A battery of Russian-built 122 millimetre field guns was also providing supporting fire on the west bank of the Mekong River. The spokesman said that the Communists pulled back north and east of the small village of Prek Tameak on the east bank of the Mekong which Cambodian troops had entered yesterday. Government positions at Saang were also attacked last night The attacking force was reportedly driven off and the area was quiet again this morning.