1.
GV PAN HELICOPTER PAN TO TROOPS.
0.05

2.
SV CHINOOK HELICOPTER OVER
0.10

3.
GV FIRE.
0.16

4.
SV HELICOPTER LANDING
0.19

5.
SV TROOPS RUNNING TO HELICOPTER.
0.24

6.
CU PAN TROOPS WAITING
0.29

7.
SV CARRIERS WITH TROOPS LEAVING.
0.34

8.
CY AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE ( 2 SHOTS )
0.45

9.
SV TANKS LEAVING ON CARRIER ( 3 SHOTS )
1.00

10.
SV TRUCKS CARRYING TANKS ( 2 SHOTS )
1.14



Initials CO.16.31 GL/ML/CO/15.43



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE UNITED STATES AIRBASE AT KHE SANH WAS UNDER FIRE AGAIN THIS WEEK AS UNITED STATES TROOPS CONTINUED THEIR WITHDRAWAL FROM THE AREA. THE BASE HAS BEEN SHELLED ALMOST DAILY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MARCH.

THE BASE, NEAR THE LAOTIAN BORDER IN THE FAR NORTH OF SOUTH VIETNAM, WAS REACTIVATED BY THE U.S. FORCES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE TROOPS DURING THEIR OPERATIONS INSIDE LAOS. THE SPRAWLING BASE IS SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS THAT GIVE EXCELLENT COVER FOR NORTH VIETNAMESE ARTILLERY.

SOME SENIOR OFFICERS FELT THAT IN REOCCUPYING KHE SANH, U.S. FORCES WERE RESTORING THE HONOUR THEY LOST WHEN THEY ABANDONED THE BASE IN 1969 AFTER A DRAMATIC SIEGE BY NORTH VIETNAMESE TROOPS. BUT THE AIRBORNE TROOPS WHO HAVE BEEN UNDER FIRE IN THE LAST WEEKS SHOW LITTLE RELUCTANCE TO MOVE OUT.