Viet Cong Plans ‘Disrupted’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31000, 4 March 1966, Page 13

Viet Cong Plans ‘Disrupted’

(N.Z; Press Association — Copyright) SAIGON, March 3. Allied offensives in South Vietnam have disrupted Viet Cong plans for months to come, but the cost in American lives has been high, United Press International reported.

Colonel William Becker, assistant commander of the Ist Air Cavalry Division, told a news conference today that the massive Allied offensive in the northern Binh Dinh

and southern Quang Ngai provinces were unqualified successes. He said the operations conducted by the air cavalry units, the South Vietnamese, South Koreans and United States Marines “worked hand-in-glove and worked well.” Colonel Becker said the Ist Cavalry captured every weapon belonging to one Viet Cong anti-aircraft weapons company “and we captured all but one recoilless rifle owned by another company.” “More Sophisticated” He reported that the enemy “was a little more sophisticated than we had expected at first. We found he was operating on divisional level with three full regiments.” Colonel Becker reported that valuable Viet Cong sanctuaries and base areas had been “ripped apart” as the Allies captured three Viet Cong hospitals and destroyed numerous logistical and support areas.