Salvadoran Forces Begin Using U.S.-Supplied Aerial Gunship

Significantly raising the level of weaponry in El Salvador’s civil war, government forces have begun using a U.S.-supplied airplane equipped with three .50-caliber machine guns, American officials said Tuesday.

The propeller-driven C-47, the military attack version of a DC-3, was given its first test in combat Monday night in a clash with guerrillas near the San Vicente Volcano, 20 miles east of San Salvador. No assessment of its effectiveness has been made public.

Western observers consider the aircraft important in breaking up attacking concentrations of guerrillas. The plane can operate at night, and its availability means that the army, which has been reluctant to undertake after-dark operations, can harass the rebels 24 hours a day.

Making a Contribution

“No weapon like this can win the war by itself,” one Western observer said, “but it can make a contribution.”

The Salvadorans had long wanted a C-47, used with considerable effect by U.S. forces in Vietnam. Each of its machine guns can be fired at the rate of about 500 rounds a minute. More planes equipped in this way are expected to be delivered to El Salvador in the course of this year. Two six-man crews have been trained to operate the C-47 already on hand, and Salvadoran soldiers have been trained to maintain the weapons.

In addition, the United States recently supplied the Salvadoran military with 15 troop-carrying helicopters, bringing El Salvador’s fleet of such aircraft to 35. The number is expected to increase soon to 50.

In all, U.S. military aid to El Salvador this year will amount to $128 million.

No Fear of Ambush

The C-47 and the helicopters are expected to help the Salvadorans overcome one of their principal weaknesses on the battlefield, the inability to react quickly to guerrilla attacks.

The C-47 can quickly reach outposts that are under attack and, unlike troop units moving on the ground, do so without fear of being ambushed. The helicopters can ferry in reinforcements to cut off withdrawing guerrilla forces.

El Salvador’s military air arm also includes six A-37 jets, which are light bombers.

The slopes of the San Vicente Volcano have been the scene of combat for two days. The armed forces spokesman in San Salvador said 15 soldiers have died so far in the fighting and 24 were wounded. Rebel casualties were unknown.