HEAVY ACTION

Evening Star, Issue 25995, 9 January 1947, Page 5

HEAVY ACTION

Besieged Garrison Relieved The Fighting in Indo-China \ Stand-by Order in France (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) PARIS, January 9. Despatches received by the French Press Agency state that French paratroops, the air force, the navy, and ground troops, in the biggest action fought in North Indo-China, relieved the French garrison at Nam Dinh, which has been resisting Viet Naiitese attacks since before Christmas. The communique reports that Viet Namese troop con-* centration has been seen at Anchau, south of the LangsonTien road in Northern Indo-China. The Viet Namese are believed to be preparing a new attempt to cut the road to Hanoi, which was re-established last week after heavy fighting. . The French Defence Ministry, in view of the situation in Indo-China, has ordered all combat troops stationed in France to be prepared for service in IndoChina. Men called for such service would have to be at least 18 years old and have undergone six months’ training in the camp at Tarbes. Two companies of experienced French soldiers left the military training camp at Tarbes to-night for Indo-China.

The British, American, and Chinese Consuls at Hanoi to-day crossed the fighting lines on foot into Viet Nam outposts to obtain assurances of safe treatment for 200 French civilian hostages. The Consuls returned safely. A party of 150 j Chinese made a dangerous evacuation to a, French-held sector through sporadic exchanges of small-arms fire from the embattled Chinese quartei—the first movement of Chinese population since the failure of the Chinese Consul-General’s attempts to secure Viet Nam assurances that Chinese property would be treated as if it were on neutral territory.

Reuter’s special correspondent at Saigon says that German deserters from the French Foreign Legion are reported, to have joined the Viet Namese troops in the flat paddy fields, woods, and swamps,of the southern Indo-Chinese State of Cochin-China, which so'far is peaceful. Viet Namese leaflets asking “Why are you fighting for France? ” are believed to he behind the German desertions. The French authorities estimate the Viet Nam military strength in CochinChina at 11,000. Informed quarters, however, estimate that there'are 50,000 under cover.