Rebels Rake Saigon With Gunfire

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23207, 20 March 1950, Page 5

Rebels Rake Saigon With Gunfire

(10 a.m.) SAIGON, March 19. Heavy mortar and machine-gun fire from Viet Minh troops struck the Saigon waterfront yesterday. The Viet Minh. forces opened fire from across the river at about half a mile range, several bombs falling near the American destroyers Anderson and Stickell. . , French light artillery replied, covering a patrol which drove off the Viet Minh units. The firing lasted about half an hour and' was preceded by the throwing of a number of hand grenades into bars and restaurants Troops and police opened fire today against Viet Minh Communists who set the city’s central market ablaze. The Communists drove buses into the main road junctions covering the entrance to the market, blocking the arrival of Army patrol cars and fire bri^BdcSi As the market blazed hand grenades were thrown at troops from adjacent alleyways. The troops returned the fire, driving off the raiders and dispersing the crowds. A short engagement gave time for the fires to sweep the market, which was completely gutted. During the fight four civilians were killed and 41 wounded. The police said that a student demonstration before the outbreak of the fire had been intended to mask the real design of the Communists and disperse police precautions.