SOUTH VIETNAMESE FIGHTERS PLANES ATTACKING VIET CONG POSITIONS WITH GOVERNMENT TROOPS MOVING INTO THE ATTACK AFTER THE AIR STRIKE WITH MACHINE GUNS AND FIRE BOMBS.




Initials DS/NBC-POOL/MR/ES



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Background: THE LATEST UPHEAVAL IN SOUTH VIETNAM'S POLITICAL LIFE WITH SUNDAY'S VIRTUAL COUP BY YOUNG ARMY OFFICERS MAY HAVE CREATED FRESH FEARS OF INSTABILITY IN SAIGON, BUT IT IS UNLIKELY TO CHANGE THE COMPLEXION OF THE WAR AGAINST THE VIET CONG FOR THE TIME BEING. IT IS STILL A HIDE AND SEEK STRUGGLE.

IN RECENT WEEKS, SOUTH VIETNAMESE FORCES HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN HEAVY ACTIONS WITH THE VIET CONG, WHO HAVE LAUNCHED ATTACKS IN BATTALION STRENGTH ON GOVERNMENT POSITIONS. RETALIATION HAS BEEN SWIFT, BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS BEEN AS EFFECTIVE AS DESIRED.

ONE SUCH GOVERNMENT ACTION TOOK PLACE LAST WEEK (DECEMBER 17) AROUND THE HAMLET OF PHOUE TUY, WHERE A GOVERNMENT BATTALION HAD BEEN AMBUSHED THE DAY BEFORE. FIGHTERS SPOTTED WHAT THEY BELIEVED TO BE VIET CONG HIDEOUTS, AND SWOOPED INTO THE ATTACK WITH MACHINE GUNS AND FIRE BOMBS.

THE PLUMES OF SMOKE AND FLAME WERE DESIGNED TO GIVE GROUNDS FORCES BETTER TARGETS TO FIRE AT, WHILE THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO OPERATE IN CLOSE SUPPORT WITH THEIR GUNS.

THE COMBINED EFFORT DISLODGED THE VIET CONG FROM THEIR POSITIONS IN THE VILLAGE AND ON THE NEARBY MOUNTAIN, BUT ACCORDING TO MILITARY OBSERVERS ON THE GROUND IT APPEARED THAT THE OFFENSIVE ACTION DIDN'T PRODUCE THE REQUIRED RESULT -- THE VIET CONG UNIT REPORTEDLY WITHDREW IN GOOD ORDER.