1.
AERIAL VIEW PHUOC VINH
0.06

2.
LV HELICOPTER LANDS PAN TO TROOPS
0.13

3.
CU TROOPERS WITH MORTAR
0.16

4.
LV TROOPS WITH SUPPLIES
0.27

5.
CU MORTAR
0.27

6.
SV TROOPS PREPARE TENTS (2 SHOTS)
0.34

7.
LV TROOPS WITH ARTILLERY PIECE (2 SHOTS)
0.41

8.
SV PAN TROOPS WITH TANKER
0.48



Initials PBS/V/JH/OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN SOUTH VIETNAM, 800 MEN OF THE UNITED STATES FIRST BATTALION OF THE 173RD AIRBORNE BRIGADE DUG-IN YESTERDAY AT PHUOC VINH AIRSTRIP, ONLY TWENTY MILES FROM DONG XOAI, SCENE OF A BLOODY BATTLE WITH THE VIET CONG AT THE WEEKEND IN WHICH MORE THAN 400 SOUTH VIETNAM TROOPS AND A NUMBER OF AMERICANS WERE KILLED. THE VIET CONG ARE KNOWN TO HAVE LOST AT LEAST 200 MEN IN THE FIGHTING.

THE UNITED STATES TROOPS BEGAN MOVING INTO PHUOC VINH ON SUNDAY. THE AIRSTRIP IS CONSIDERED VITAL AS A REFUELLING CENTRE FOR AIRCRAFT AND A TROOP STAGING BASE. THE TROOPS, IN THEIR BRIEFING, WERE TOLD TO BE PREPARED TO GO TO THE RELIEF OF ANY NEARBY GARRISON OF HARD-PRESSED GOVERNMENT FORCES IN THE AREA. IT IS BELIEVED THEY COULD BE DEPLOYED AGAINST THE VIET CONG IF FIGHTING STARTS AFRESH IN THE DONG XOAI REGION.

MEANWHILE, AT DONG XOAI THERE HAS BEEN A LULL SINCE THE WEEKEND, ALTHOUGH TROOPS THERE ARE ALERT AND TENSE AS THEY WAIT FOR THE VIET CONG TO MAKE ANOTHER MOVE. INTELLIGENCE REPORTS PUT THE NUMBER OF VIET CONG TROOPS CONCENTRATED AROUND THE AREA AT ABOUT 8,000.