South Viet Nam: Making Contact

Nothing so underscores the elusiveness of the enemy in South Viet Nam as the frequent battle communique: "Initial contact was light." In order to engage the Viet Cong, Americans and South Vietnamese have stepped up their "search and clear" thrusts into Communist-held territory, using flame throwers, gas and explosives to flush the Viet Cong from their tunnels, leveling whole forest areas to chop snipers from the trees. Turning the tables, crack Marine sharpshooters are now carrying hunting rifles equipped with telescopic sights able to zero in on guerrillas from afar. B-52s...

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