FILM SHOWS THE DAMAGE - VERY EXTENSIVE - CAUSED IN THE OUTPOST AND SURROUNDING AREA; THE COFFINS STACKED UP WAITING FOR BURIAL, SURVIVORS GETTING BACK TO 'NORMAL' EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES.




Initials JM/V/MR/OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ONE OMINOUS RECENT FEATURE OF THE WAR IN SOUTH VIETNAM HAS BEEN THE SHARP INCREASE IN ACTIVITY AROUND SAIGON, AS VIETCONG BANDS CREEP CLOSER TO THE CAPITAL. UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES HAVE OFFICIALLY STATED THAT LAST WEEKEND THERE WERE 28 'HARASSMENT' RAIDS BY THE VIETCONG AROUND THE CITY -- "SOME OF THEM REALLY CLOSE IN".

IN ONE LIGHTING RAID, THE VIETCONG IN BATTALION STRENGTH OVERRAN AN OUTPOST ON ROUT 4 - THE IMPORTANT HIGHWAY WHICH RUNS FROM THE MEKONG DELTA, AND LINKS THE CITIES OF CANTHO AND MY THO WITH SAIGON.

AT THE TIME OF THE ATTACK THE OUTPOST WAS BEING MANNED BY A COMPANY OF THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE POPULAR (TERRITORIAL) FORCE AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE VIETCONG, HEAVILY ARMED WITH MORTARS, RECOILESS RIFLES, MACHINE GUNS AND GRENADES, KILLED AT LEAST NINE PEOPLE.

IT'S THOUGHT THAT BOTH THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TROOPS WHO WHERE RUSHED TO THE SCENE OF THE BATTLE, AND THE VIETCONG SUFFERED HEAVY CASUALTIES, BUT THE VIETCONG WITHDREW CARRYING THEIR DEAD WITH THEM.

FOR THE MOMENT THE MAIN ROAD IS OPEN AGAIN. BUSES AND OTHER VEHICLES CAN TRAVEL TO CANTHO WITHOUT PAYING THE GBP1???? (STERLING) TAX TO THE VIETCONG. THE CITY'S SHOPS ARE OPEN AGAIN, AND PEOPLE ARE HARVESTING THE RICE IN THE FIELDS CLOSE TO CANTHO.