Documents below include copies of actual dispatches (called “casts”) typed and signed by AP correspondents in Saigon. Hand delivered to the Saigon Post Office (PTT), they were sent by overseas telegraph cable at 20 cents a word (more if urgent) to AP offices in Tokyo or New York for editing, and then put on wire service teletype machine for distribution to the world, and a selection of published articles based on Saigon correspondents’ dispatches. Private cables reveal the tensions that could arise between the reporters in the field and their editors at home, as well as the humor. AP’s Malcolm Browne wrote a guide book for correspondents arriving in Saigon — its many practical tips explained not only how to cultivate local sources and cut through red tape, but helped to save lives.
(With appreciation to AP Corporate Archives, Valerie Komor).
AP’s Horst Faas examines 35mm negatives – 1967
In the 1970’s, photographs were sent over a telephone line using a primitive version of a fax machine. This video shows a UPI 16-Sportable WirePhoto transmitter in action. It took up to nine minutes to transmit a single black and white photograph; a color photograph took up to 25 minutes.
A scolding letter to Neil Sheehan for missing the burning monk incident from his boss – June 1963
A ‘Very Real War’ in Vietnam—and the Deep U.S. Commitment – Feb. 1962
Rebels in Vietnam Oust Diem, Report Him and Nhu Suicides; Sharper Fight on Reds Vowed – Nov. 1963
U.S. Planes Attack North Vietnam Bases: President Orders ‘Limited’ Retaliation After Communists’ PT Boats Renew Raid – Aug. 1964
U.S. ‘Copter Units Arrive In Saigon December 12, 1961
Diem’s Secret Police Attack U.S. Newsmen – July 1963
Two Versions of the Crisis in Vietnam: One Lays Plot to Nhu, Other to Army – August 21, 1963
Secret Police Beat Newsmen In Saigon Row – Aug. 1963
‘We’re Winning in Viet Nam’ The Brave Little Men by Richard Tregaskis – April 1963
southvietnamese forces scored sweeping success in operation 50 miles west of saigon friday
Urgent: here its the year of the cat not the rabbit stop we do not have a year of rabbit stop…
“Please unrocket us,” Mal Browne pleads in defending his exhausted Saigon team from a reprimand from AP New York headquarters.
Saigon bureau cast from Malcolm Browne
Malcolm Browne’s copy on the Pagoda Raids – Aug. 1963
Page 1 of a Horst & Faas story from 1967
Arnett’s request for lipstick
Video: Vintage wire service teletype machine at work
AP’s Horst Faas packs his battered camera kit – 1967
Model 6000 photo transmitter used to send photographs – 1967
Vietnamese postal worker preparing to send photo by wire, Saigon Post Office, early 1970’s
Malcolm Browne’s “Short Guide to News Coverage in Vietnam”
U.S. ‘Copters Are Shot Up by Viet Cong by Malcolm W. Browne – Jan. 1963
Browne Saigon Bureau cast
Sheehan’s famous Ap Bac article wherein he quotes U.S. advisor saying it was a “miserable damn performance” by the Vietnamese soldiers – Jan. 1963
Vietnamese Slay 300 Reds in Clash – March 1962
government forces ended highly successful military operation saturday in plain of reeds near cambodian border
