U.S. Viet Bombers Step Up Missions

SAIGON--American fighter-bombers hit North Vietnam with the heaviest raids in more than a week, setting fire to fuel depots and supply and port facilities in the Hanoi-Haiphong area, the U.S. Command announced Thursday.

The command reported more than 340 strikes were flown, equalling the number on July 5, and said the closest to Haipong was within a mile of city. It made no mention of any plane losses.

"Navy pilots flying from the Kitty Hawk swept to within one mile of Haiphong where they reported three supply warehouses heavily damaged after a strike on the Haiphong vehicle repair facility south of that city," the Seventh Fleet said in a communique.

In another big raid, Air Force F4 Phantoms using both laser-guided and general purpose bombs attacked a fuel depot 35 miles northeast of Hanoi. Pilots reported many direct hits, numerous secondary explosion and fires, and a pipeline cut.