LOSSES BY U.S.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32536, 20 February 1971, Page 17

LOSSES BY U.S.

Resistance stiffens

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SAIGON, Feb. 19.

Heavy North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire has shot down four more United States helicopters along the Ho Chi Minh trail in southern Laos, and a fifth was reported to have exploded in the air over South Vietnam, reports the Assorted Press.

Meanwhile, South Vietnamese ground forces cutting across three major arteries of the Communist supply network have met stiffening resistance.

The United States Command today acknowledged four of the helicopter losses while field reports said that a fifth also was lost. The Command said that a big CHS3 supply helicopter which was originally reported as being shot down in Laos actually blew up yesterday in flight over South Vietnam, from an unknown cause. It was returning from a support mission for the South Vietnamese drive into Laos. At least three Americans were reported killed. Seven others are missing and presumed dead, and six wounded.

Sharp fighting also was reported in Cambodia, where South Vietnamese forces are making a parallel thrust against enemy supply lines and sanctuaries.

Almost 16,000 Saigon troops are committed to the Laotian operation and 23,000 to the Cambodian sweep.