Communists Cut Off Highway to Quang Tri

Communist forces cut the highway lifeline to Quang Tri today, preventing South Vietnamese rienforcements and supplies from reaching the endangered city. A 600-man South Vietnamese battalion was sent to try to dislodge the North Vietnamese and reopen the road. 

North Vietnamese forces also continued the heavy shelling, followed by some ground attacks,against Firebase Bastogne 15 miles southwest of Hue. Bases Anne and Bastogne were the major northern defenses to Hue, South Vietnam's third largest city. Communist forces Tuesday prevented a South Vietnamese relief column from reaching Bastogne. 

American B52s continued their high-level bombing in an effort to ease Communist pressure on Quang Tri, which now is open on all sides to the Communists but which so far has not come under major attack. However low-lying clouds once again held down low-level bombing and straifing runs to a minimum. 

Informed sources in Washington said more B52s, probably about 18 of them, were being rushed to Southeast Asia to help in the battle. 

The U.S. command in Saigon said that "several" Americans have been killed or wounded during the six-day Communist offensive in the Quang Tri province, but said no details could be made available until after next of kin were notified. So far U. S. officials have acknowledged that six American aircraft were shot down, claiming three wounded and 12 missing. However, military sources said other American casualties have occurred, including some among the estimated 65 U.S. advisers in Quang Tn and in unreported downings of U.S. aircraft.

November 1969