World: The War: Testing Vietnamization

THE top priority of U.S. fighting men in South Viet Nam is no longer killing the enemy. It is teaching and equipping South Viet Nam's army to do so. Since last June, when President Nixon announced his plan to turn the burden of the ground fighting over to the South Vietnamese, the U.S. has conducted cram courses in modern combat, completed equipping almost all of South Viet Nam's 877,000 soldiers with new M-16 rifles, and provided 50,000 vehicles and 50,000 radios.

Still, the question remains whether ARVN (Army of the Republic of Viet Nam) will be able to hold its own against...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!