1.
SV S.Vietnamese Rangers firing field guns
0.11

2.
LV Shells exploding on hillside
0.16

3.
SV Farmers along road with rice harvest
0.27

4.
SV S.Vietnamese Rangers through fields
0.32

5.
SV Ditto in armoured troop carrier (2 shots)
0.43

6.
SV Troops helping to harvest rice (6 shots)
1.15


These South vietnamese guns are protecting Khmer peasants. With the bulk of the Khmer Republic army tied down elsewhere, South Vietnamese Rangers have taken on the job of securing Highway Three, about twenty miles north of the border between Khmer Republic and south Vietnam.



The North Vietnamese and blew up sections of the road, and generally terrorised the farmers. Their aim was to get control of the rice crop now being harvested. To toy to stop this happening, about two thousand Rangers moved on to the road, and in to the rice-fields. The South Vietnam??? made only light contact with the enemy. In small scattered actions they captured 17 enemy Weapons, casualties on both sides were light.



With little fighting to do, the Rangers were able to help the farmers harvest their rio???. this was obviously aimed at improving the image of the South Vietnamese army, which has often created and feeling among the Khmere. In previous operations, Khmer villages have been stripped by south Vietnamese troops, who often lived off the land. It is unlikely this one gesture will change the historical Khmer dislike of the Vietnamese, but these farmers will accept any help they can got save their rice from falling into enemy hands.




Initials SGM/1618 SGM/1633



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the area around Tani, south of Takeo 20 miles (32.2 kms) inside the Khmer Republic. South vietnamese Rangers have been both protecting Highway Three and helping Khmer farmers harvest their rice
The North Vietnamese blew up sections of the road, and generally terrorized the farmers in the past, to get control of the rice crop while it was being harvested.

The South Vietnamese rangers also hope this help with the harvest will improve their image with the Khmer, who have in the past suffered from South Vietnamese troops stripping ???heir villages and generally 'living off the land'. They have been able to help with the harvest despite withdrawing 10,000 troops from the area the in the last week.

This film is serviced with an NBC narration which is transcribed over Jeaf. for further information about South Vietnamese operation in the Khmer republic, not also 671/72, also serviced today.