1.
Soldiers cross stream aboard sampan


2.
Soldiers come ashore (two shots)


3.
USAF Phantom overhead


4.
Smoke from bomb explosion


5.
Soldiers to camera and past destroyed house


6.
Soldiers fire and run across field


7.
More shooting (two shots)


8.
Explosions


9.
Soldiers past burning house


10.
Soldiers along road


11.
Cambodian casualty on stretcher


12.
Another soldier applies kiss of life (two shots)


13.
Face of dead soldier covered up


14.
Ambulance towards camera


15.
Dead soldier put aboard




Initials ends/jt/vs/ac



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Cambodian Army has begun a major new operation aimed at clearing the Vietcong from a hideout formed by a myriad of rivers and lakes south-west of Kampong Cham.

VISNEWS cameraman Yosep Lee joined men of the 3rd and 7th Regiments to get this film, including dramatic shots of Cambodian soldier trying to save a dying colleague with the kiss of life.

The operation, which began at the weekend, is concentrating along the Tonle Toch, a small tributary of the Mekong River which, according to the Cambodian High Command, has been regularly used for Communist movements.

American Phantoms bombed the area before the government forces moved in. It was the first Cambodian thrust into the swampy region which until now had been flooded.

Cambodian forces advanced warily, mortaring suspected Communist positions before advancing under cover from the American-made M-16 carbine and other small arms fire.

In the first two days of the drive, the Cambodians said they killed at least 14 Communists for the loss of four of their own men - including this young soldier whom not even the kiss of life could save.