1.
AERIAL VIEW OF Cambodia
0.08

2.
GV Helicopter in flight
0.13

3.
AERIAL VIEW troops and villagers (2 shots)
0.22

4.
SV Aircrew
0.24

5.
MV Troops
0.29

6.
GV Bombed village
0.32

7.
MV Troops look at bodies (II shots)
1.20

8.
GV Bombed village
1.23

9.
MV Troops carry body away
1.31



Initials AA/V/DW/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: South Vietnamese and North Vietnamese met in a major battle just 28 miles (45 WP) from the Cambodian capital of Phnom on the night of the 14th of May. The battle lasted all night and among the dead were many Cambodian villagers attached to neither side.

This operation was conducted by the South Vietnamese Marines and was the first time that helicopter transportation of a bridge force was handled entirely by the South Vietnamese themselves. They estimated the North Vietnamese strength at several hundred, and called in reinforcements during the battle.

By dawn on the 15th the North Vietnamese abandoned the area, leaving behind a known death-toll of 39. The Marines put their own dead at five.

When troops advanced into what was left of the village they found many Cambodians had been killed, apparently in the cross fire of the battle.

Traditional enmity between the Vietnamese and Cambodians has been increased by incidents like this, and while the Vietnamese troops are regarded by Cambodians with suspicion, thousands of civilian Vietnamese living in Cambodian have sought refuge in South Vietnam.