1.
LV MARINES OUT OF LANDING CRAFT TOWARDS BEACH
0.06

2.
LV THREE OFFICERS
0.10

3.
GV VEHICLE WITH EQUIPMENT DRIVES OF
0.16

4.
CU GENERAL FREDERICK KARCH
0.18

5.
SLV MARINES OUT OF LANDING CRAFT TOWARDS BEACH
0.24

6.
CU MARINE CARRYING EQUIPMENT
0.27

7.
LV JEEP LOWERED FROM LANDING CRAFT (2 SHOTS)
0.35

8.
SV MARINES ON BEACH
0.37

9.
SCU MARINE PUSHING BOGGED JEEP
0.40

10.
CU MARINE CARRYING EQUIPMENT
0.43

11.
LV TANKS DRIVEN OF FROM BEACH (4 SHOTS)
1.06

12.
GV MORE MARINES ON BEACH
1.10

13.
LV HELICOPTER FLYING WITH MARINES ABOARD
1.12

14.
SCU TANK
1.15

15.
LV HELICOPTER FLYING WITH MARINES ABOARD
1.20



Initials DE/S/MGT/PC DE/S/MGT/OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: TWO BATTALIONS OF THE UNITED STATES MARINES LANDED AT DA NANG IN SOUTH VIETNAM ON SATURDAY.1,400 MEN CAME ASHORE FROM LANDING CRAFT, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AMERICAN GROUND COMBAT TROOPS IN SOUTH VIETNAM TO MORE THAN 6,500.THE MEN ARE COMMANDED BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL FREDERICK KARCH.AMPHIBIOUS TANKS AND OTHER HEAVY EQUIPMENT WERE BROUGHT ASHORE BY LANDING CRAFT.TWO COMPANIES OF THE MARINES WERE IMMEDIATELY TAKEN BY HELICOPTER TO DA NANG AIR BASE TO TAKE UP DEFENCE POSITIONS, AND ANOTHER TWO COMPANIES WERE AIRLIFTED TO HUE TO DEFEND THE AIRFIELD THERE.

AS THE MARINES LANDED ON THE BEACH, AFTER A SIX-WEEK VOYAGE FROM OKINAWA, THEY COULD HEAR FIRING AS SOUTH VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TROOPS CLASHED WITH VIETCONG GUERILLAS ONLY THREE MILES (FIVE KM) AWAY.

WHILE THE AMERICAN MARINES WERE COMING ASHORE NEAR DA NANG, UNITED STATE PLAN FROM THE U.S.SEVENTH FLEET WERE AGAIN BOMBARDING MILITARY TARGETS IN NORTH VIETNAM.THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE DESTROYED A BRIDGE A FEW MILES FROM THE LAOTIAN FRONTIER.

A FORCE OF SIMILAR STRENGTH IS EXPECTED TO LAND IN SOUTH VIETNAM WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.THIS WILL BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ALL AMERICAN SERVICEMEN IN THE COUNTRY TO MORE THAN 32,000 MEN.