Viet Cong Shell Saigon And 40 Other Cities

SAIGON, FEB. 18. Communist forces hurled thousands of big rockets and mortar shells into Saigon and 40 other cities and allied installation in their “second wave” offensive early today.

They followed up some of the barrages with ground attacks. In the most serious, 500 guerrillas attacking from east and west seized one-fifth of the coastal provincial capital of Phan Thiet, 90 miles east of Saigon. They captured the provincial hospital and jail, where they released about 500 prisoners. Fighting was still raging there at last reports came in.

While the “second wave” attacks were as wide spread as the Communists’ biggest offensive of the war during the lunar new year on January 30-31, they were not as severe and sustained.

The headquarters of Gen. Westmoreland said in a communique: “This second Communist offensive appeared to be enemy retaliation for the failure of the Vietnamese people to rally to their cause during the recent Tet lunar new year offensive.”

Reports from headquarters listed six Americans killed and 190 wounded in the co-ordinated, precision rocket and mortar poundings of at least half dozen American airfields, including such major fighter bases as Tan Son Nhut is Saigon and Bien Hoa just to north. At least six American planes, were destroyed.

While the attacks were as wide spread as the Communists’ biggest offensive of the war, they were not as severe and sustained.