SOUTH VIETNAM: GOVERNMENT MARINES ATTACK VIET CONG POSITIONS NEAR SAIGON

Record ID: 355312

  • Title: SOUTH VIETNAM: GOVERNMENT MARINES ATTACK VIET CONG POSITIONS NEAR SAIGON
  • Date: 28th May 1968
  • Summary: 1. LV SOUTH VIETNAMESE MARINES AND TANKS THROUGH STREET 0.06 2. BV OF TROOPS AND TANKS IN STREET 0.12 3. LV TANKS ENTERING VILLAGE 0.16 4. CU TANK PAST TROOPS RUNNING BY SIDE 0.22 5. SV WOMAN RUNNING PAN TO TANK 0.27 6. LV WOMEN AND CHILDREN THROUGH STREET 0.32 7. SV WOMEN AND CHILDREN BEING HELPED ONTO TRUCK 0.38 8.
  • Embargoed: 12th June 1968 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GIA DINH PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM
  • Country: Vietnam
  • Reuters ID: LVAPBORZ8713SLHCELB94Y4L6J7
  • Story Text: SOUTH VIETNAMESE MARINES ARE REPORTED TO HAVE KILLED 39 VIET CONG IN AN ATTACK ON GUERILLA UNITS IN GIA DINH PROVINCE, ON SAIGON'S NORTH-EASTERN EDGE, ON SATURDAY. IT WAS PART OF A FLARE-UP IN THE FIGHTING AROUND SAIGON BETWEEN GOVERNMENT TROOPS AND ATTACKING VIET CONG.

    THE FIGHTING, ONLY TWO AND A HALF MILES (4 KMS) FROM THE CENTRE OF THE CAPITAL, WAS THE CLOSEST TO THE CITY CENTRE SINCE THE START OF THE LATEST VIET CONG OFFENSIVE AGAINST SAIGON. THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE CLAIM TO HAVE LOST THREE MARINES KILLED AND 11 INJURED IN THE FIGHTING. A PALL OF BLACK SMOKE HUNG OVER THE BATTLE AREA, WHICH WAS SHELLED BY UNITED STATES ARTILLERY.

    THE VIET CONG HAD MOVED INTO THE AREA AFTER SLIPPING THROUGH THE "RING OF STEEL" DEFENCE BARRIER PUT UP BY THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE AND AMERICANS AROUND THE CAPITAL TO HALT ANY MASS INVASION. A 24-HOUR CURFEW WAS PLACED ON THE AREA. CIVILIANS FLED FROM THEIR HOMES AS THE FIGHTING RAGED AND MANY WERE WOUNDED IN THE CROSS-FIRE. THE MARINES GAVE THEM FIST AID BEFORE SENDING THEM TO HOSPITAL.

    BEFORE THE FIGHTING STARTED, THE VIET CONG CALLED ON THE POPULATION OF SAIGON, CHOLON AND GIA DINH -- THE PROVINCE ENCOMPASSING GREATER SAIGON -- TO LEAVE THE AREAS WHERE AMERICAN BASES ARE LOCATED "IN ORDER TO AVOID CIVILIAN LOSSES WHEN OUT ARMY ATTEMPTS TO WIPE OUT THE ENEMY."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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