U.S. troops suffer heavy losses

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32568, 30 March 1971, Page 1

U.S. troops suffer heavy losses

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, March 29. American troops suffered their worst casualties in nearly a year yesterday when the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong guerrillas launched a commando-type raid against a United States artillery base in Northern Quang Tin province.

The United States command said the ground attack, which came in the early hours of the morning, was preceded by a barrage of about 50 to 60 rounds of mortar fire.

The attacking force, spearheaded by sappers, broke through the base perimeter and in an hour of fierce fighting killed 33 Americans and wounded 76 before being driven back, leaving 12 dead behind. United States helicopter gunships, tactical air strikes and artillery were called in to support the 198th brigade of the America Division manning the base.. The artillery base was still under American control and widespread patrols were tracking the attacking force, the United States Command i said. Yesterday’s casualties were the highest the Americans have suffered from a single attack since fire support base Ripcord at the A. Shau Valley was besieged last July. Then United States forces lost 68 men killed and 460 wounded during a three-week period. They have come when the United States High Command is trying to keep losses down as American troops are slowly phased out of Vietnam.

States convoy on highway 9, eight miles east of Khe Sanh. killing two Americans and wounding five. Seven Americans were wounded when 30 North Vietnamese attacked a United States patrol eight miles north-east of Khe Sanh. One American helicopter was destroyed yesterday over Laos but the crew was rescued, the command said. (Reuter interprets Nixon’s difficulties with his own popularity over the war. Page 17.)

President Nixon has promised that by May 1, United States troops will have no further ground combat role in South Vietnam. In other war developments, Nort Vietnamese troops yesterday attacked a United