1.
GV convoy along Mekong River
6 ft

2.
GV explosion on river bank
8 ft

3.
GV gunship overhead firing rockets
11 ft

4.
GV explosion on river bank
14 ft

5.
GV convoy approaching Phnom Penh (3 shots)
28 ft

6.
GV tugboat alongside ammunition barge
32 ft

7.
GV ammunition barge
26 ft

8.
GV convoy berthed at dock
40 ft

9.
SV porthole damaged by rocket
42 ft

10.
GV hole in ships hull
44 ft

11.
GV crew member looking at damage on tugboat
47 ft

12.
GV oil pipeline being connected to tanker
50 ft

13.
GV top dock of tanker
51 ft

14.
GV people hoisting oil pipeline
54 ft



Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A petroleum tanker and two ammunition barges arrive in Phnom Penh (26 January) after running the gauntlet of heavy insurgent fire from the banks of the Mekong River.

It was the second river convoy to reach the beleaguered Khmer capital from South Vietnam since the Communist-led insurgents began their dry-season offensive on New Year's Day.

Khmer air force T-28 bombers and gunships struck at insurgent concentrations on the river banks as the three vessels made their final dash for Phnom Penh from the embattled ferry town of Neak Luong, 35 miles (60 kms) southeast of the capital.

The first convoy of three tugboats, each towing two or three barges, arrived in Phnom Penh on January 24th, bringing vital supplies of food and ammunition.

Captain Nguyen Van Chieu, master of the tanker, Vira One, told reporters that another tanker, the Bayon Trader, was forced to turn back to Neak Luong after being hit by insurgent fire.

Vira One, which was loaded with two million litres (444,000 gallons) of aviation fuel and gasoline, showed evidence of several hits, but there were no casualties.

Captain Chieu said six more tankers were waiting in South Vietnam for orders to make the run to Phnom Penh.