US invariably permits the Communists the first punch.' This odd
strategic conception has evidently guided US tactical inertia in the protection of their static perimeter camps, such as Pleiku and Bien Hoa. Close-in routine patrolling 'along' a perimeter per- mits close-in and accurate watching by the guerrillas of routine and layout and makes successful attack at a chosen time a practical certainty. The only answer, as we know well, is wide-out aggressive patrolling by hunter and killer teams of at least platoon strength, working well out from the peri- meter at night, out and in by varied routes and times. These patrols must discard any idea of theirs being a defensive role, although of course it is so, and psychologically become offensive hunter-killers. Within reason, shortage of manpower within the Perimeters cannot excuse neglect of this offensive action. The latter will much more than compensate in terms of perimeter safety for a comparative shortage on pure perimeter defence.
J. R. HARTWELL
4a de Walden Court. Meads, Eastbourne
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