GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN SOUTH VIETNAM CLAIM TO HAVE INFLICTED HEAVY CASUALTIES ON VIETCONG FORCES DURING A BATTLE ON SATURDAY (JULY 20) IN THE MEKONG DELTA, SOUTH-WEST OF SAIGON. THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT TROOPS PUT THE CASUALTIES AS HIGH AS 500 VIETCONG KILLED, AN AMERICAN MILITARY ADVISER SAID 200 WAS CONSIDERED A MORE ACCURATE FIGURE. THIS WOULD STILL MAKE THE DEATHROLL THE BIGGEST IN ANY ACTION SO FAR DURING THE SOUTH VIETNAM FIGHTING.

THE GOVERNMENT 7TH DIVISION CLAIMS TO HAVE KILLED 58 TROOPS OF THE VIETCONG 514TH BATTALION DURING THE COURSE OF THE BATTLE - REGARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A REVENGE VICTORY FOR LOSSES SUFFERED IN A PREVIOUS CLASH AT AP BAC LAST JANUARY. SEVERAL VIETCONG WERE TAKEN PRISONER AND A SUPPLY OF WEAPONS CAPTURED WHEN THE 7TH DIVISION MOVED INTO A VILLAGE BURNT TO THE GROUND IN THE BITTER FIGHTING.