Word: delta
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...fact, Saigon's troops performed relatively well, standing their ground and driving back the attackers. At week's end, ARVN forces faced considerable pressure from an enemy bent on taking the provincial capital of Xuan Loc east of Saigon and threatening to cut links to the Mekong Delta southwest of the city. On the political front, there was no significant development. A lone, enraged pilot tried to kill Thieu, but there was no evidence that the President was ready to step down-or that the legion of his political opponents could agree on a successor. Meanwhile, for countless...
...scattered Communist attacks in the Delta accomplished Hanoi's first aim: ARVN troops clearly must remain where they are. The second aim, however, may be more difficult to attain. "The Delta is South Viet Nam's most secure area, militarily and, even more important, psychologically," reported TIME'S McWhirter after a visit to the area. "The ARVN units there have benefited by being far removed from the most traumatic effects of the rout in the north. Their morale is thus relatively high. They are led by General Nguyen Khoa Nam, a hardworking, incorruptible soldier of modest means...
Fearful that the flood of refugees would only complicate the defense of Saigon and probably bring countless infiltrators in its wake, the government tried to seal off the capital. The road leading from Vung Tau was blockaded, and plans were afoot to resettle refugees in the Mekong Delta. But little was being done to provide food and shelter for the throngs at Vung Tau or even regroup the disbanded soldiers when they arrived...
...capital military region over the past several weeks. Small Viet Cong units have begun infiltrating the capital's suburbs. Moreover, because they are attacking fixed defensive positions, the Communists have the tactical advantage. They could attack Tay Ninh west of Saigon and then move southward into the Mekong Delta, thereby encircling the capital and breeding even more panic there. Or they could try to move troops down the major routes from the north directly into the capital. U.S. intelligence, in fact, reports that two full divisions began moving south from North Viet Nam in recent days, leaving no more than...
...some respects, Saigon retains an aura of almost unreal normality. In the markets it is business as usual. The streets, filled with Hondas, pushcarts, hookers, shine boys, beggars and wounded war veterans, are as noisy and chaotic as ever. Food is still plentiful because the roads to the Mekong Delta remain open. But tea and coffee from the Highlands, avocados and lettuce from Dalat and lobsters from Nha Trang are all bound to run out before long. Many dance halls and teahouses have been closed, and the curfew has been moved back to 9 p.m. so that diners...