Rebels Intensify Warfare— Civilian Evacuation Of French Indo-china

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 December 1950, Page 5

Rebels Intensify Warfare— Civilian Evacuation Of French Indo-china

SAIGON, December 28 (Rec 11 a.m.). —As the Vietminh insurgents continue their attacks against French posts, news was received today that French wpmen and children are to be evacuated from IndoChina in the French 10,000-to'n liner Le Compte de Lisle. The disclosure was made by the Singapore agents of the ship which is due at Saigon from Japan on January 10. The liner, which was used by the Japanese during the war as a troopship, has been refitted in Japan and a French crew will take over from the Japanese crew in Saigon.

Meanwhile, French army official here annonuced today that Frencl Union forces have evacuated Binhliew, one of their last outposts near the China border. The post is 12 miles north of the French stronghold of Tienyen, on the Tonking coast. Most of the Binhlieu garrison succeeded in joining up with a relief column sent to help them. They said they had a sharp and unequal fight with the Vietminh guerrillas. Pressure On French French forces have also evacuated the Chauson defence post on the north-east sector of the Tonking front. Beleaguered Binhlieu, about five miles from the Chinese frontier, had been under constant attack for four days. Munitions were parachuted to the garrison two days ago. Four or five Vietminh battalions were reported to have concentrated in a triangle formed by Binhlieu, Tienyen and Moncay on the coast. According to a French military source, the military situation in the Tonking province, where on Tuesday

the rebels launched an attack with four or five battalions, has now stabilised.

The spearhead of the Vietminh thrust was aimed against advance posts of the French defensive periphery covering the region north-east of Phu Yen, in the northern delta. It is believed that the rebel'action was meant to test possible French resistance if an offensive on a larger scale were started.

Stronger Attacks

In the north-east sector of the Tonking front—the areas of Binhlieu, Moncay and Tienye—the military situation seemed more fluid. It is believed that he rebel forces, which attacked Binhlieu might at any moment switch their attack towards'other important French defensive posts in the region.

Vietminh forces in this area are known to have been strongly reinforced. Their operations seem to have more purpose behind them' than previous isolated attacks on comparatively. unimportant posts,.