1.
GV Black Virgin Mountain
0.06

2.
SV Smoke on mountain
0.11

3.
SV Chopper circling
0.18

4.
SV Troops in bunker
0.24

5.
SV Chopper circles
0.30

6.
GV Explosions on ground (2 shots)
0.38

7.
SV Tay Ninh street
0.46

8.
SV Closed shops (2 shots)
0.53

9.
SV People sifting through rubble (2 shots)
1.05

10.
GV Debris
1.10



Initials BB/2305 PW/JB/BB/2256



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The furious battle to retake the Black Virgin Mountain from North Vietnamese forces, occupied South Vietnamese airborne troops and aircraft throughout Friday (24 January) as they sought to reinforce detachments of commandos who had been landed on the mountain the previous day.

The South Vietnamese government has committed several thousand troops to the recapture of the Black Virgin Mountain, the highest point in Tay Ninh province. Ever since the North Vietnamese captured it on January 7 -- the same day as they took Phuoc Long province -- they have been able to shell government strongpoints at will.

Tay Ninh city, just five miles away from the mountain, has been under siege. Almost two-thirds of the city's population has fled and shops along the main street remain closed as rocket attacks on the city intensify.

However, there are no firm indications yet that the North Vietnamese want to take Tay Ninh province. They appear content to use the Black Virgin Mountain as an observation point. But as long as they do hold the mountain, they are in a good position to launch an assault on Tay Ninh -- which is why the South Vietnamese are willing to risk so much to retake it.