SOUTH VIETNAM: AFTERMATH OF VIETCONG ATTACK ON U.S. MARINE AMMUNITION DUMP

Record ID: 355270

  • Title: SOUTH VIETNAM: AFTERMATH OF VIETCONG ATTACK ON U.S. MARINE AMMUNITION DUMP
  • Date: 2nd November 1965
  • Summary: 1. MS PART OF CAMP AREA DAMAGED BY MORTAR AND SMALL ARMS FIRE 0.08 2. MCU DITTO 0.12 3. LS CAPTURED VIET CONG SOLDIER (2 SHOTS) 0.15 4. MCU CAPTURED WEAPONS (PAN) TO SCATTERED ARMS ON GROUND 0.32 5. LS TILT TO MCU BODIES OF VIET CONG (2 SHOTS) 0.42 6. LS BODIES 0.45 Initials DE/S/MR/SA Script is copyright Reuters Limit
  • Embargoed: 17th November 1965 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEAR DA NANG, SOUTH VIETNAM
  • Country: Vietnam
  • Reuters ID: LVACDGEMCYAMM3KSAGCEIWGZABVU
  • Story Text: VIETCONG SOLDIERS LAUNCHED A MASS ASSAULT ON A UNITED STATES MARINES AMMUNITION DUMP ON SATURDAY ABOUT 10 MILES (16 KMS) SOUTHWEST OF DA NANG AIRBASE. AFTER AN HOUR-LONG PITCHED BATTLE THE VIETCONG RETREATED LEAVING 56 OF THEIR NUMBER DEAD. THE MARINES SUFFERED LIGHT CASUALTIES.

    THE VIETCONG ATTACK WAS CARRIED OUT IN WAVES. THE FIRST WAVE OF MEN CARRIED MEATHOOKS AS THEY ADVANCED ON THE CAMP, BACKED UP BY HEAVY MORTAR AND RECOILLESS RIFLE FIRE. THE SECOND WAVE FIRED OVER THE HEADS OF THE FIRST AS THEY ADVANCED. AS THE VIETCONG PREPARED TO WITHDRAW, THEY DRAGGED AWAY SOME OF THEIR DEAD WITH THE HOOKS.

    ONE OF THE DEAD WAS A TEENAGE BOY, WHO HAD BEEN SEEN IN THE COMPOUND OF THE CAMP ON PREVIOUS DAYS SELLING SOFT DRINKS TO THE SOLDIERS.

    TEN OF THE VIETCONG WERE CAPTURED. ONE OF THEM TOLD AMERICAN SOLDIERS HE WAS A MEMBER OF A BATTALION OF REGULAR VIETCONG TROOPS.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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