‘U.S. forces have increased9

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32959, 4 July 1972, Page 13

‘U.S. forces have increased 9

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, July 3. United States forces in and around SouthEast Asia have increased by more than 50,000 men since the beginning of the North Vietnamese spring offensive, according to “Time” magazine.

The magazine adds in its July 10 issue that the buildup more than counterbalances the 40,000 Americans who have been shipped home in the same period. President Nixon announced at his press conference last week the withdrawal of another 10,000 men from Vietnam during July and August, leaving the number remaining at 39,000 by September 1.

But at the same time, the magazine says, there has been a quiet increase in the number of Americans in Vietnamese waters from 18,000 to 42,000, in Thailand from 32,000 to 45,000, and another 15,000 along the supply lines toward Saigon (Japan, the Philippines, Guam, and Okinawa). The manpower shift reflects the changing United

States role in Vietnam, “Time” adds.

By September, only about 1000 United States troops will be in ground combat roles—and their task will be solely to protect American installations supplying South Vietnamese armed forces. The main thrust of the American effort will be in bombing, although the South Vietnamese will fly 40 per cent of the tactical air sorties, the magazine says.