See Blows At Saigon And North

Hue Threat Poised by 20 Battalions

August 26, 1968

SAIGON (AP) - Allied officials warned Thursday of possible enemy offensives in two critical areas-the far north and Saigon. And a clash in the central highlands pointed to another danger point.

U.S. concern centered on the A Shau Valley, the gateway from Laos to the old imperial capital of Hue and other northern cities hit hard in the enemy Tet offensive last February.

With intelligence reports indicating 20 enemy battalions within striking distance of Hue, 25 miles northeast of the A Shau Valley,

about 2,000 South Vietnamese paratroopers have moved into blocking positions.

Striking out southwest of Hue, the paratroopers have not run into serious opposition but have destroyed 10 North Vietnamese trucks and seized 330 pounds of dynamite since swinging into action last Friday, a government communiqué said.

The U.S. 1st Air Cavalry Division in a directive warned its officers they should expect a high level of enemy-initiated action soon in the north. It said intelligence reports have indicated an enemy offensive would begin in late April or early May to coincide with the rice harvest in the north.

The objective could be Hue, Quang Tri, the provincial capital 40 miles northwest of the old imperial capital, or other northern cities.

B52s with their great bomb loads have been daily pounding the A Shau Valley, seized by the North Vietnamese two years ago and converted into their greatest supply base in South Vietnam.

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