SOUTH VIETNAMESE TROOPS THROUGH SWAMP; DEAD SOUTH VIETNAMESE SOLDIERS - BODIES BEING CARRIED INTO HELICOPTER; DEAD VIET CONG SOLDIERS; CAPTURED VIETCONG; TROOPS SEARCHING.




Initials TS/VS/BHH/OS



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Background: IN THE MEKONG DELTA, THREE BATTALIONS OF THE 21ST SOUTH VIETNAMESE INFANTRY DIVISION ARE IN ACTION IN OPERATION DAN CHI - 'THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE' - CARRYING OUT SEARCH AND DESTROY MISSIONS. ABOUT 1,300 MEN ARE ENGAGED IN THE OPERATION.

THE SECOND BATTALION IS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL UNITS IN THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE ARMY, AND IS ONE OF ONLY FOUR ENTITLED TO WEAR THE COVETED RED SHOULDER STRAP, SIGNIFYING THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY WON AT LEAST SIX MAJOR VICTORIES.

ALMOST HALF OF THE COUNTRY'S POPULATION LIVE IN THE MEKONG DELTA AREA - SOME SEVEN MILLION PEOPLE, AND THE AREA IS REGARDED BY UNITED STATES ADVISORS AS THE TOUGHEST REGION NOT HELD BY THEM AND THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE.

THE DELTA IS CRISS-CROSSED WITH SWAMPS AND PADDY-FIELDS, AND FOR MOST OF THE YEAR IS WATER-LOGGED. IN OPERATION DAN CHI, AIR SUPPORT IS AT A MINIMUM, AND AMONG THE DANGERS FACING THESE TROOPS ARE BOOBY-TRAPS, AND LEECHES, AS WELL AS VIET CONG TROOPS.

MANY OF THESE SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR 20 YEARS AND MORE.