1.
LS. Vientiane military airport.
0.03

2.
LS. T-6 Coming in.
0.11

3.
LS. Ditto.
0.17

4.
MLS. Helicopter coming in from Vang Viang.
0.27

5.
MLS. Dakota coming in after supply drops.
0.33

6.
MS. Soldiers stepping out helicopter.
0.30

7.
MS. Col. Kouprasith shaking hands with American officer.
0.43

8.
MS. Col. Kouprasith (right) and other.
0.46

9.
LS. Helicopter and crew.
0.51

10.
LS. Mechanic.
0.54

11.
CU. Ditto.
0.59

12.
LS. Another plane.
1.03

13.
MS. Refuelling plane.
1.07

14.
MS. Soldiers ready for flight.
1.09

15.
LS. Helicopter.
1.15

16.
LS. Airport.
1.21

17.
LS. Three T-6 aircraft taking off.
1.26



Initials TDH/V/AW TDH/V/MMcG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: While Russian aircraft operate similarly from the Plain des Jarres for the Pathet Lao, American-built aircraft maintain a steady stream of traffic in and out of the small military airport at Vientiane in support of the Laotian Government forces.

Helicopters carry troops and bring back wounded from the jungle fighting areas, world war two AT-6 trainer aircraft have been equipped with machine-guns and rocket-bays to fly round-the-clock sorties, and ancient 'Dakota' aircraft fly supply dropping missions.

As our cameraman filmed the activity at the airport, a helicopter came in from Vang Viang, a village fifty miles north of the capital, where Pathet Lao and Government paratroops are fighting to secure control of this vital junction in the only two main roads in the country. One leads to the rebel held Plain does Jarres, and the other to Luang Prabang, the Royal capital.

Aboard the helicopter was Colonel Kouprasith, considered to be one of the best army leaders under General Phoumi Nosovan, who organised the capture of Vientiane at the end of last year and formed the present Government led by Prime Minister Boun Oum.