Chronology of Cambodian History, 1970-1974
1970 Chronology
Of Cambodia History
Abbreviations on this page
Jan.
7, 1970
Prince Norodom Sihanouk and Princess Monique, accompany by Penn Nouth and his
wife, departs Phnom Penh for French Riviera for “rest cure”.
Feb. 5, 1970
Cambodians seize US navy patrol boat on the Mekong River.
Feb. 11, 1970
US planes attack communist gun positions inside Cambodia
in response to the downing of a US helicopter.
March 8-9, 1970
Lon Nol's govt. stages anti-Vietnamese Communist demonstration in the
provinces of Svay Rieng and Prey Veng.
March 11, 1970
An estimated 20,000 Cambodians demonstrate against Vietnamese Communist
presence in Cambodia and sack the North Vietnamese and the Provisional
Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam (Vietcong political arm) embassies
in Phnom Penh.
March 12, 1970
Cambodian govt. cancels the trade agreement with Vietnamese Communists and
orders them to vacate all their sanctuaries on Cambodian territory within
three days. The trade agreement allows the Communists to use Cambodia's
seaport, Kompong Som, and purchase supplies in Cambodia.
March 13, 1970
Prince Sihanouk departs Paris for Moscow.
March 14, 1970
US freighter Columbia Eagle is
seized by two armed crewman in the Gulf of Siam and forced to sail to
Cambodia. PM Lon Nol states that his
govt. will not return the pirated ship.
March 15, 1970
Gen. Lon Nol launches an offensive against the Vietnamese Communists in
Cambodia after his ultimatum was ignored. The operation is supported by the
South Vietnamese artilleries from across the border at the request of
Cambodian govt.
March 16, 1970
Cambodian, Vietcong, and North Vietnamese officials meet in Phnom Penh to
discuss Lon Nol's demands, which was issued on March 12. The meeting was unsuccessful in deal with
Lon Nol’s demand for NVA/VC withdrawal from Cambodian territory.
March 17, 1970
Two cabinet members, loyal to Prince Sihanouk attempted to have Lon Nol
arrested, were detained along with many other Prince Sihanouk's supporters.
On the same day, Gen. Lon Nol placed army on alert, closed the airport,
stationed troops and armored cars around the ministries building, radio
stations, and the Assembly.
March 18, 1970
Both houses of the Cambodian legislature met in special session, at the govt.
request, and voted unanimously to withdraw its confidence from Prince
Sihanouk as Chief of State. In the
debate, legislators accused Prince Sihanouk, among other thing, of having
authorized North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops to illegally occupy and
establish sanctuaries on Cambodia territory, which violate the neutrally as
provided by the Geneva Accords of 1954.
March 19, 1970
Prince Sihanouk makes popular appeals for return to power, calling for united
political front and liberation army……… US govt. states that Prince Sihanouk
has been legally deposed; the question of recognition of the new govt.
"does not arise"……….. The National Assembly vote overwhelmingly to
grant full power to PM Lon Nol, declares a state of emergency, suspends four
articles of the constitution, permits arbitrary arrest and bans public
assembly………… PM Lon Nol assures foreign govt. that there will be no change in
Cambodia's policies.
March 20, 1970
US-Khmer-South Vietnamese launch a first coordinated military action in
response to Communist attack…….. The National Assembly vote to arrest Prince
Sihanouk and pressed charges of treason against him if he returns to Cambodia.
On the same day, an order is issued to the Cambodian armed forces "...to
crush by means of arms all actions that Prince Norodom Sihanouk may be
planning..." It also specified
that Prince Sihanouk had ceased to be commander-in-chief of the armed forces and
that these duties had been taken over by Cheng Heng, acting Head of
State. In his first public statement,
Prince Sihanouk claims his ouster was absolutely illegal.
March 21, 1970
Cheng Heng made chief of state. He promised to expel the Communists from the
country……… US Pres. Richard Nixon called for respect of Cambodian neutrality……..
Zhou Enlai and Pham Van Done meet in
Beijing; Zhou thinks the Lon Nol's coup was approved by the French and
American.
March 22, 1970
Prince Sihanouk meets with Zhou Enlai in Beijing and is told: "The speech Your
Highness has given to the Cambodian people is of great appealing power. I believe
that the Cambodian people, after listening to Your Highness's voice, will be
greatly inspired and will respond to it. China is determined to support Your
Highness until Your Highness returns to his own country in victory. So long
as Your Highness is determined to fight to the end, it is for certain that we
will provide Your Highness with our support.
Prince Sihanouk: With China's support, I will persist in the struggle.
No matter how long the struggle will last and how many difficulties it will
endure, I will never yield."
On the same day, the Prince also discloses that the Soviet Union and
China had granted his request to live in exile alternately in Moscow and
Beijing. In Hanoi, Vietnam voices its
support of Prince Sihanouk and Cambodians in "a just struggle"
against Lon Nol govt. And in Moscow, the Soviet Communist Party newspaper
Pravda attributed the crisis in Cambodia to "military fever born of
American aggression."
March 23, 1970
Prince Sihanouk, in Beijing, announces the formation of a National United
Front of Kampuchea or FUNK with his former enemies, the Khmer Rouge, to
struggle against the Lon Nol govt.
March 24, 1970
South Vietnam expressed its support of Lon Nol govt. in a note from Vice
Pres. Nguyen Cao Ky to Cambodian Head of State Cheng Heng……… US
fighter-bombers attack Communists positions in Cambodia.
March 25, 1970
Cambodia for the second time invited the North Vietnamese to discuss the
problem of the evacuation of their forces from Cambodian territory. The meeting was set for March 27, however,
Poland, on behalf of the Vietnamese, advised Cambodian officially of the
planned departure on March 27 from Phnom Penh of the Embassy of North Vietnam
and Viet Cong.
March 26-27, 1970
Pro-Prince Sihanouk demonstrations broke out in Kompong Cham Province. Two deputies who tried to calm the
demonstrators were knifed to death and the office of the governor was burned.
March 27, 1970
North Vietnamese and PRG embassy staffs departed Phnom Penh by ICC aircraft
for Hanoi…….. South Vietnamese troops, supporting by US helicopter,
make their first major military incursion into Cambodian territory. American and South Vietnam officials deny
having crossed the border.
March 29, 1970
North Vietnam and Viet Cong unilaterally announced the severance of
diplomatic relations with Cambodia and refuse to resume discussion regarding
the withdrawal of their forces. They
instead began offensive into Cambodia; quickly occupies most of eastern part of
the country.
March 30, 1970
Lon Nol says he will ask for US arms if the situation in
Cambodia deteriorates.
March 31, 1970
Cambodian govt., in a memo to
the ambassadors of the Soviet Union and Great Britain, expressed her deep
concern about increasingly flagrant and repeated violations of the 1954
Geneva Accords by the Vietnamese communist.
Cambodia demanded the re-installment of the International Control
Commission on an urgent basis.
April 1, 1970
Prince Sihanouk meets with PRC
PM Zhou Enlai, who informs the Prince: " The people in Cambodia have been extremely excited after hearing Your
Highness's speech to the people and the five-point statement. The people in
many places have been mobilized. In the provinces in northeastern Cambodia and close to Phnom Penh
there are protest demonstrations. The slogan of the masses is to request that
Your Highness return to Cambodia.
Lon Nol originally planned to organize a demonstration supporting the
reactionary regime, but this plan has failed." [25] ………..Cambodian embassy in Moscow informs
diplomatic corps it will represent Prince Sihanouk, not the Phnom Penh govt.
April 6, 1970
U.N. announce that Secretary General U Thant had decided, “to deal with the
authorities who effectively controlled the situation in Cambodia”; in effect,
with the Phnom Penh govt. not with Prince Sihanouk.
April 8, 1970
Cambodia releases hijacked US freighter Columbia Eagle.
April 9, 1970
Under heavy Communist attack, Cambodian troops evacuate
the Parrot's Beak in Svay Rieng Province.
April 11, 1970
Popular manifestation called
“The March of National Concord” at the National Sports Complex in Phnom Penh
as a sign of support for the govt. of Gen. Lon Nol; the manifestation also
demanded the establishment of a Republican regime for the country.
April 14, 1970
Lon Nol made international appeals for aid to fight against Vietnamese
communist………. South Vietnamese, with token Cambodian assistance,
attack a VNA base inside Cambodia.
April 16, 1970
One hundred Vietnamese civilians are slain in the govt. compound
in Takeo Province.
April 17, 1970
Hundred of Vietnamese bodies, suspected victims of mass
killing, float down the Mekong River in the southeastern sector of
Vietnam. Cambodian govt. admits
Vietcong control of three provinces.
April 18, 1970
South Vietnamese forces destroy two Communist supply bases
inside Cambodia.
April 19, 1970
Communist troops capture Sa'ang, 15 miles south of Phnom
Penh.
April 20, 1970
Pres. Nixon announced the withdrawal of 150,000 troops from Vietnam, and
warned that the communists would be taking grave risks if they attempted to
use American withdrawals to jeopardize remaining US forces in Vietnam by
increasing military action in Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos.
April 23, 1970
Rifles were transferred from South Vietnam to Cambodia as the US directed aid……….
FANK recapture Sa'ang.
April 24, 1970
US forces began Operation Patio, tactical complement to Operation Menu.
April 24-25, 1970
The PRC sponsors Summit Conference of the Peoples of Indochina. The Conference
is participated by Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia, Prince Souphanouvong of
Pathet Lao, Pres. Nguyen Huu Tho of the NLF (Viet Cong), and PM Pham Van Dong
of North Vietnam………. US secretly begins shipping small arms to Phnom
Penh while Pres. Nixon publicly says he is still considering the Cambodia's
request for arms assistance.
April 27, 1970
The North Vietnamese govt. proclaimed its support of Prince Sihanouk………. Communist
forces began to press their advance deeper into Cambodia and threatened Phnom
Penh…….. Lon Nol govt. pledges to protect lives of all Vietnamese
civilians living in Cambodia.
April 29, 1970
South Vietnam lands its
support to Lon Nol govt. after massive uprisings in support of Prince
Sihanouk……….. Over 20,000 US and South Vietnamese troops cross into
Cambodia to eliminate communist sanctuaries used for attacks into South
Vietnam.
April 30, 1970
US Pres. Nixon addresses
to Americans explaining US military invasion of Cambodia; US troops join with
South Vietnamese forces would invade Cambodia to destroy important North
Vietnamese and Vietcong supply bases and concentration. This news caused a
furor in the United States, where opinion ran strong against any escalation
of the war.
May 1, 1970
PM Lon Nol claims that the United States-South Vietnamese operation had been
mounted without his knowledge or approval.
May 3, 1970
UN Gen. Secy. U Thant says spread of fighting into
Cambodia threatens to engulf the entire Southeast Asia region.
May 4, 1970
The PRC issues a statement pledging full support to
Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam against US aggression.
May 5, 1970
Prince Sihanouk, in Peking, announced the formation of a govt.-in-exile, the Royal National Union Government of Kampuchea
(RNUGK), with Prince Sihanouk as Head of State and Penn Nouth as Prime
Minister. RNUGK
is immediately recognized by China and North Vietnam. ----- US and
South Vietnamese forces make their third incursion into Cambodia, crossing
into the Sesan area of Ratanakiri Province. -----US
Pres. Nixon promises that US troops would not advance further than 21 miles
inside Cambodia. [Map]
May 6, 1970
China, North Vietnam and North Korea broke off their diplomatic relations
with Lon Nol's govt. ----- US forces spearhead three new fronts in
Cambodia northeast of the Fist-hook area.
May 7, 1970
White House reports capture of a major, abandoned,
Communist base in the Fishook Area.
South Vietnam withdraws 10,000 troops from Parrot's Beak area after
completing its mission.
May 8, 1970
Pres. Nixon says all US troops would be withdrawn from Cambodia by June 30.
----- South Vietnam Pres. Thieu says his forces are not restricted to
Nixon’s deadline.
May 9, 1970
US and South Vietnamese naval forces impose a blockade
along 100 miles of the Cambodian coast.
May 11, 1970
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approves an amendment introduced by
Senator Sherman Cooper and Senator Frank Church to prevent any future US
military operation in Cambodia. -----Le Duan, in a meeting with Mao Zedong in
Beijing, says the situation in Vietnam and in Indochina is complicated and
asks for instructions, "We are very much in need of getting Chairman
Mao's instructions. If our Central
Committee and Politburo learn that Chairman Mao had given instructions about
how we should do our job, they will certainly be very happy." In relating to Cambodia, Mao says, "
Now there is another person, Prince Sihanouk. He is not an easy person to deal with either. When you offend his, he will come out to
scold you." [25]
May 13, 1970
Phnom Penh govt. restored diplomatic relations with Thailand, which had been
broken in 1961. ----- US State Secy. William Rogers affirms that the
US will not become involved militarily to defend the Lon Nol govt.
May 14, 1970
South Vietnamese troops, with US advisers, move into
Cambodia to defend the town of Bo Keo.
State Dept. says it has no agreement with the South Vietnam govt. on
length of time its troops can remain inside Cambodia.
May 16-17, 1970
At a Key Biscayne, Fla. Press briefing, White House
officials give the impression that the South Vietnamese will withdraw from
Cambodia on June 30. US high command
announces that 5,500 troops have been withdrawn from Cambodia since May 12.
----- US reports capture of part of COSVN (Central Office for South Vietnam)
headquarters five mile north of Memot, 10 miles inside Cambodia. Foreign Minister of 12 Asian nations
meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, recommends an international conference on
Southeast Asia war.
May 18, 1970
Allied command reports 7,843 enemy killed compared to
850 US and South Vietnamese troops during the Cambodia operation.
May 19, 1970
Phnom Penh govt. restored
diplomatic relations with South Korea, which had been broken in 1966.
May 20, 1970
South Vietnamese forces open a new front in Cambodia
against the Communists, supporting by US air power and ground advisers.
May 21, 1970
US Defense Dept. reports that the Communist base COSVN has
been relocated beyond the 21-mile operation limit in Cambodia set by Pres.
Nixon.
May 22, 1970
South Vietnam announces a halt in the repatriation of
Vietnamese refugees in Cambodia.
May 24, 1970
South Vietnamese troops capture Cambodia's largest
rubber plantation at Chup, 50 miles northeast of Phnom Penh.
May 25, 1970
US announced that it would supply arms to Cambodia for defending her
territory.
May 26, 1970
Operation Menu ended; it replaced by Arc Light.
May 27, 1970
Phnom Penh govt. restored diplomatic ties with South Vietnam, which had been
broken in 1963, and military assistance agreement concluded between the two
govt. ----- Prince Sihanouk confers with North Vietnamese leaders in
Hanoi.
May 28, 1970
VNA push into the provincial capital of Prey Veng.
-----Thailand follows South Vietnam in reaching agreement with Cambodia to
assist in its struggle against Communists.
May 30, 1970
Eight TV newsmen, including three Americans, are believed
captured or dead following the ambush attack on their vehicle by the Vietcong
near Takeo Province.
June 1, 1970
Martial law goes into effect throughout Cambodia.
June 3, 1970
Vietcong capture Set Bo, 11 miles south of Phnom Penh.
-----VNA and VC launch attacks across the northern part of Cambodia.
-----Pres. Nixon hails that Cambodian incursions as the most successful
operations of the war and reiterates that US and South Vietnam forces will be
withdrawn on June 30.
June 4, 1970
Communist forces were reported to be within ten miles of Phnom Penh.
June 6, 1970
South Vietnam VP Nguyen Cao Ky meets with Cambodian
officials in Phnom Penh to resolve questions of Saigon's military role in
Cambodia.
June 8, 1970
No details of a North Vietnamese agreement with Prince
Sihanouk are given following his return to Peking after a two-week visit to
Hanoi.
June 9, 1970
South Korea rejects a Cambodia's request for direct
military assistance.
June 13, 1970
Communist forces capture the strategic city of Kompong
Speu following a fierce fighting.
June 15, 1970
American journalists, Richard Dudman, Elizabeth Bond, and
Michael Marrow captured on May 7, are released by the Vietcong.
June 16, 1970
Cambodian and South Vietnamese forces recapture Kompong
Speu.
June 17, 1970
Chinese PM Zhou Enlai, in a
conversation with Nguyen Thi Binh in Beijing, blames the US for war in
Indochina: " Now the war has expanded to Cambodia and the entire Indochina. It is not you, nor Prince
Sihanouk, nor China, who planned the expansion. It is the United States,
which did it. Fine, let the war expand. In the past, only areas on the east
bank of the Mekong River were the shelter. Now the whole Cambodia becomes the shelter, and
the whole Indochina becomes the shelter, not to mention that there exists the
big shelter—China." [25]
June 22, 1970
US Defense Dept. acknowledges that US planes have bombed
Communist infiltration routes deep inside Cambodia.
June 24, 1970
US steps up shipment of $7.9 million in military
equipment to the Cambodian govt.
June 25, 1970
Phnom Penh govt. announced “General Mobilization” in order to deal with the
communist invasion.
June 27, 1970
South Vietnamese Pres. Thieu says his troops will help
Cambodia defend itself against Communist attacks. Cambodian troops withdraw from Ratanakiri Province, leaving the
northern part of the country in Communist control.
June 29, 1970
US end its incursion into Cambodia. ----- South Vietnamese forces lift
a siege of Cambodian troops trapped in Longvaek.
June 30, 1970
Operation Patio ended; it replaces by Freedom Deal. -----In a report to the
nation, Pres. Nixon praises the "successful" completion of the
Cambodian "incursion," citing the amount of enemy supplies
captured. -----US Senate pass the Cooper-Church Amendment, barring the use of
US troops in Cambodia.
July 2, 1970
Prince Sihanouk returns to Peking from North Korea where
he received a pledge from Premier Kim Il Sung to aid in overthrowing the
Phnom Penh govt.
July 5, 1970
A Cambodian military court, after three days of trial, sentences Prince
Sihanouk in absentia to death on grounds of treason and corruption.
July 6, 1970
Communist forces withdraw from Angkor after a month of
occupation.
July 11, 1970
Communist forces capture the mountaintop military base
at Kirirom.
July 24, 1970
US Presidential Determination provided $7.9 million for military aid;
supplemented by $40 million in Military Assistance Program (MAP) funds.
July 26, 1970
South Vietnam sends 2500 troops into Cambodia in a
search and destroys operation.
Aug. 7, 1970
Cambodian troops recapture Skoun.
Aug. 8, 1970
Communist forces encircle Kompong Thom Province.
Aug. 17, 1970
Military court in Phnom Penh sentences 17 former Sihanouk
govt. officials to death in absentia on charges of conspiracy to commit
treason.
Aug. 19, 1970
US and Cambodia sign an agreement in which US will provide
with $40 million worth of military equipment to Cambodia.
Aug. 20, 1970
Fighting continued on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. ----- Cambodia and United
States exchanged notes
constituting an agreement concerning military assistance to Cambodia.
Aug. 21, 1970
A 4000-strong South Vietnamese force attacks Communist
troops at Neak Luong.
Aug. 23, 1970
US VP Agnew, on his four-nations Asian tour, pledges US
help to bolster the Lon Nol govt. to fight against the Communist.
Aug. 28, 1970
US Vice Pres., Spiro Agnew,
made an official visit to Cambodia.
Aug. 29, 1970
Communist forces attack Moat Krasas Krao, just five
miles from Phnom Penh.
Aug. 30, 1970
Supporters of Prince Sihanouk left the Cambodian embassy in Prague,
Czechoslovak, after holding it for two weeks.
Sept. 1, 1970
US VP Agnew tells reports that the situation in Cambodia
is developing well.
Sept. 7, 1970
Cambodia military launched an offensive “OPERATION CHENLA I” against the
communist. The objective of CHENLA I
was to clear Route 7 connecting Skoun and Kompong Cham. Skoun had been repeatedly attacked by the
communists. Some ten to twelve of the
FANK infantry battalions, with artillery and armor support, were committed to
the operation; it was placed under the command of Brigadier General Um
Savuth.
Sept. 9, 1970
Cambodian govt. patrol boats reach Kompong Thom, breaking
Communist seizure of the city.
Sept. 12, 1970
US ambassador, Emory C. Swank, arrived in Phnom Penh as the first to Cambodia
in five years.
Sept. 13, 1970
CHENLA I forces was blocked at Tang Kauk.
Sept. 15, 1970
US ambassador, Emory C. Swank,
presented his credentials to Cambodia Head of State Chang Heng.
Sept. 24, 1970
Pham Van Dong, in a meeting
with Chinese Amb. Wang Youping in Beijing, is told, " Premier
Zhou would like to know as soon as possible Vietnam's position on the
following points: 1. Will North Vietnam recognize Lon Nol's Government if it
continues to negotiate with both North and South Vietnam? 2. Will North
Vietnam support Sihanouk or Lon Nol if war breaks out in Cambodia? 3. Right now, based on the
whole context, [how will Vietnam think if] China supports
Sihanouk?" In response, Pham Van
Dong says: "Vietnam cannot recognize Lon Nol. We recognize Sihanouk.
China and Vietnam are determined to support Sihanouk and support the struggle
by the patriotic forces against Lon Nol. Yes, we support Sihanouk. China
supports him, so does Vietnam. I think that it is the time to persuade the
Soviet Union and other socialist countries and others to support Sihanouk, to
isolate and condemn Lon Nol and Sirik Matak." [25]
Sept. 25, 1970
CHENLA I forces captured Tang
Kauk. A strong resistance from the
units of the 9th NVA Division located in the rubber plantation
prevented the advancement of CHENLA I beyond Tang Kauk for the rest of the
year.
Sept. 29, 1970
Communist launches a major offensive against vital road
links in Cambodia.
Oct. 5, 1970
Both Houses of Cambodian parliament unanimously approved to replace the
country's more than one thousand year-old monarchy with republic.
Oct. 6, 1970
South Vietnam withdraws its forces from Neak Luong and
Takeo after completing a three-month operation against the Communist.
Oct. 9, 1970
Cheng Heng, the National Assembly Pres. and acting head of state, proclaimed
the Khmer Republic. The proclamation marked the official end of the country's
more than one thousand year-old monarchies.
Oct. 24, 1970
South Vietnamese forces cross into the Fishhook area of
Cambodia in a drive designed to relieve Communist pressure on Saigon.
Oct. 26, 1970
National Security Decision Memorandum #89 defined the administration's
"Cambodia Strategy" as to "capitalize on Cambodian
nationalism." ----- South Vietnamese forces, in a new offensive
into Cambodia, capture the abandoned town of Snoul.
Nov. 7, 1970
North and South Vietnamese forces clash along Routes 1 and
7 in Cambodia.
Nov. 9, 1970
Communist forces open a new offensive in Cambodia,
attacking and isolating Kompong Cham province.
Nov. 10, 1970
Communist destroys a key bridge 20 miles north of Phnom
Penh, which linked the capital to Skoun.
Nov. 12, 1970
US air supply flights to Phnom Penh began.
Nov. 16, 1970
NVA forces attack a 20,000-man FANK unit 50 miles north of
Phnom Penh.
Nov. 17, 1970
A 4,500 strong South Vietnamese forces enter Ratanakiri
province.
Nov. 23, 1970
Communist troops seize a six-mile stretch of Highway 4,
Cambodia's supply line to the Gult of Siam.
Nov. 24, 1970
Cambodia places with the
Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization, her acceptance
of International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
Dec. 1, 1970
Terrorist bombed new US
embassy in Phnom Penh.
Dec. 6, 1970
The Communist overruns a FANK military district
headquarters, 40 miles east of Phnom Penh.
Dec. 14, 1970
First directly war-related cargo via Mekong River reached Phnom Penh.
Dec. 15, 1970
FANK successfully hold back a three-day Communist
assault at Prey Totung, the last govt. stronghold north of Phnom Penh.
Dec. 22, 1970
The Cooper-Church amendment become law, prohibiting the use of authorized
funds for sending American troops into Cambodia or for attaching American
advisers to Cambodian forces. It proclaims that any assistance given by the
US did not constitute a commitment by the US to the defense of Cambodia.
----- FANK clear a 50-mile stretch of Highway 4 linking Phnom Penh and
the Gulf of Siam.
Dec. 27, 1970
Communist forces unsuccessfully attack Chambak and
Tramkhnar, two key govt. supply bases near Phnom Penh.
1971
Chronology Of Cambodia History
Abbreviations on this page
Jan. 3, 1971
A large force of US B-52 bombers accompanied by 300
fighter-bombers flying support mission carries out widespread raids against
Communist supply routes in Cambodia, Laos and South Vietnam.
Jan. 5, 1971
US Congress approved $255 million for military-economic aid to Cambodia.
Jan. 12, 1971
Cambodia and South Vietnamese troops are in the twelfth
day of their campaign to open Route 4, linking the capital and seaport of
Kompong Som.
Jan. 13, 1971
Khmer-South Vietnamese joint operation was launched to reopen Highway 4.
Jan. 16, 1971
A joint commission of both Houses of Cambodian Parliament is set up to draft
a new constitution. ----- South Vietnamese report the capture of Stung
Chhay pass, a strategic point 95 miles southwest of Phnom Penh.
Jan. 17, 1971
First Mekong River convoy arrived at Phnom Penh.
Jan. 18, 1971
Defense Dept. spokesmen say that the US intends to use all necessary air
power against Communist forces in Cambodia that ultimately might threaten
America troops in South Vietnam, but deny that US liaison officers might have
operated from Cambodia soil. ----- US helicopter gunship fly at least three
strikes in support of the combine Cambodian-South Vietnamese forces battling
to clear Vietcong and NVA from the vital highway link between Phnom Penh and
Kompong Som.
Jan. 19, 1971
The White House acknowledges that the US has widened its
air attacks against Communist positions in Cambodia.
Jan. 21, 1971
Lon Nol ends a two-day conference with South Vietnamese
officials. The meeting results in
agreement to expand relations and reduce tensions between the two countries
but fails to resolve the dispute over South Vietnam's demands that Cambodia
finance the cost of South Vietnamese military operation in Cambodia.
Jan. 22, 1971
Communist assaults on
Pochentong Airport; the Khmer Air Force (KAF) is almost completely destroyed.
Jan. 27, 1971
FANK launch a major offensive to wipe out Communist
troop concentration west and northwest of Phnom Penh.
Jan. 30, 1971
The Military Equipment Delivery Team, Cambodia (MEDTC) was established to
take over US military aid program.
Feb. 8, 1971
Lon Nol suffered stroke.
Feb. 10, 1971
PM Lon Nol, partially paralyzed by a stroke suffered
Feb. 8, transfers his duties as defense minister to Dep. PM Sisowath Sirik
Matak.
Feb. 13, 1971
Lon Nol departed for Hawaii for treatment of a stroke.
Feb. 18, 1971
Prince Sihanouk's Sangkum Reastr Niyum is dissolved.
March 2, 1971
Communist attack and damage Kompong Som oil refinery.
Khmer Republic and United
States sign, in Phnom Penh, an agreement
for sales of agricultural commodities.
March 30, 1971
NVA and VC troops seize a 10-mile stretch of Route 4,
linking Phnom Penh with Kompong Som.
April 4, 1971
Communist and FANK forces suffer heavy casualties around
Pich Nil Pass in the struggle for Route 4.
April 12, 1971
Lon Nol returns to Phnom Penh.
April 20, 1971
PM Lon Nol resigns citing ill health.
April 21, 1971
Gen. Lon Nol is promoted to Field Marshal.
May 3, 1971
Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak is granted the principal
executive power in the govt.
May 6, 1971
Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak
becomes Prime Minister (05/06/1971-03/18/1972).
May 15, 1971
For the second time in four days, South Vietnamese
troops launch assaults against Communist concentration in Cambodia.
May 28, 1971
Month long battle for control of east bank of Mekong across from Phnom Penh
began.
May 31, 1971
Khmer Republic and the US exchange notes,
in Phnom Penh, constituting an agreement relating to economic assistance.
----- Phnom Penh govt. proposes peace talks to end fighting in the
country.
June 2, 1971
South VN troops open a drive 5 miles inside Cambodia to
block infiltration routes into the western part of the Mekong Delta in South
VN.
June 6, 1971
Khieu Samphan selection as PNLAFK (People's National Liberation Armed Forces
of Kampuchea) commander was announced.
June 8, 1971
A four-day lull in fighting ends in Cambodia when the NVA
attack FANK near Prey Thom.
June 11, 1971
Communist conduct 3-days of heavy assaults at the eastern
approaches to Phnom Penh.
July 29, 1971
South VN troops launch another assault into eastern
Cambodia.
Aug. 10, 1971
PM Sirik Matak confers with Nixon in Washington on the
need for continued economic and military assistance.
Aug. 20, 1971
Lon Nol launched another offensive “OPERATION CHENLA II” to reopen Route 6,
the highway connecting Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Province. The main objective
of CHENLA II was to break the yearlong siege of Kompong Thom Province; to cut
enemy infiltration routes; and to reclaim part of the country rich in rice
and fish. The operation was launched with some 16000 troops commanded by Gen.
Hou Hang Sin.
Sept. 7, 1971
Assassination attempted on US
Amb. Swank in Phnom Penh. ----- Ieng Sary meets with Le Duc Tho, who reminds
Sary of the mistakes of the 1954 Geneva Accord, " We will always remember
the experience in 1954. Comrade Zhou Enlai admitted his mistakes in the
Geneva Conference of 1954. Two or three years ago, comrade Mao also did so.
In 1954, because both the Soviet Union and China exerted pressure, the
outcome became what it became. We have proposed that the Chinese comrades
admit their mistakes and now I am telling you, the Cambodian comrades, about
this problem of history. We should be
independent in thoughts, promote international solidarity and solidarity with
the Soviet Union and with China. We have to fight a big imperialist country.
If we take sides in the Sino-Soviet dispute, the situation will become more
complicated. At present, China considers that it has two enemies, namely the
Soviet Union and the US. It therefore will not be beneficial if we take
sides." [25]
Sept. 20, 1971
Communist attacked on Phnom Penh fuel storage area.
Sept. 26, 1971
Terrorist attacked on US Embassy softball game, killing two Americans, one
Cambodian child and wounding many others.
Oct. 5, 1971
CHENLA II forces linked up with defenders of Kompong Thom, making successful
completion of Phase I of the offensive operation.
Oct. 20, 1971
Lon Nol declares a state of emergency, saying he will no longer "play
the game of democracy and freedom," because it stands in the way of
victory.
Oct. 27, 1971
Vietnamese Communist begins counterattack against CHENLA II forces, only
hours after the start of its Phase II operation, striking the center of the
CHENLA column between Tang Kauk and Rumlong.
Oct. 29, 1971
FANK suffer heavy loses in battles with the Communists
around Kompong Thom and Rumlong, 52 miles northeast of Phnom Penh.
Nov. 10, 1971
A Communist rocket barrage on Pochintong airport,
killing 25 people.
Nov. 13, 1971
FANK abandon Rumlong to the Communist.
Nov. 24, 1971
South VN airlifts several thousand paratroopers from Krek
to Chup in its drive to neutralize the NVA forces in Cambodia.
Nov. 30, 1971
Marshall Lon Nol, with the
officers of the general staff, visits CHENLA II forces at the front line.
Dec. 1, 1971
CHENLA II forces abandon all their major position and fall back in disorder
with heavy losses.
Dec. 3, 1971
CHENLA II Operation officially terminated.
Dec. 8, 1971
Khmer Republic, United States, Australia, and Republic of Vietnam signed a memo
of understanding on Australia participation in the training of FANK personnel
in South Vietnam. ----- Fighting reaches to within 9 miles of Phnom
Penh as govt. troops try to block a NVA advance near Sre Ngai.
Dec. 14, 1971
South VN forces capture Chup, 35 miles inside Cambodia.
Dec. 17, 1971
Lon Nol issues decrees,
banning political meetings, anti-govt. demonstrations and suspending all
constitutional civic rights.
Dec. 30, 1971
South VN forces ends its operations in Cambodia which
begun in Nov.
1972
Chronology Of Cambodia History
Abbreviations on this page
Jan. 10, 1972
A combined FANK/ARVN launched
an operation “PREK TA” involving 11 battalions south of Route 1 between the
Mekong and the South Vietnamese border.
Jan. 13, 1972
Khmer Republic and United
States signed, in Phnom Penh, an agreement
for sales of agricultural commodities.
Jan. 14, 1972
The Phnom Penh govt. is reported to has launched a
6,000-man drive to expel the NVA from Angkor area.
Jan. 29, 1972
Lon Nol launched an offensive “OPERATION
ANGKOR CHEY” in Siem Reap Province with an objective of encircling Angkor
complex and interdicting the flow of supplies to enemy in the area, which the
communists had been use as sanctuary.
Feb. 5, 1972
The US Senate Refugee Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee reported that
two million Cambodians have been made homeless by the war.
Feb. 7, 1972
Symington-Case Amendment enacted to limit number of US govt. personnel in
Cambodia.
Feb. 12, 1972
Khmer Republic, United States, New Zealand, and Republic of Vietnam signed,
in Saigon, a memorandum
of understanding on New Zealand participation in FANK training in the South
Vietnam.
Feb. 21, 1972
OPERATION ANGKOR CHEY units ran into stiff resistance as they tried to route
the communists from fortified position along the southern periphery of the
temple complex.
March 10, 1972
Chief of State Cheng Heng resigns, transferring his powers to Marshall Lon
Nol, who dissolved the National Assembly, and declares himself President of
Cambodia, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Pres. of the Council of
Ministers - Prime Minister.
March 18, 1972
Lon Nol becomes Pres. of the Khmer Republic; and Son Ngoc Thanh Prime
Minister (03/18/72-03/21/72).
March 20, 1972
Communists launched direct
attacks on Prey Veng City and Neak Luong.
March 21, 1972
Lon Nol becomes Prime Minister
(03/21/72-10/15/72)…… Communist artillery and rockets pound Phnom Penh
and its outskirts, killing more than 100 civilians and wounding more than 100
others…....Heavy clashes break out between govt. and communist forces within
3 miles of Angkor temples.
March 23, 1972
Communist frogmen sunk a cargo
vessel and damaged another on the Mekong near Chruoy Chang War Naval Base.
March 24, 1972
Lon Nol created a new committee to the different draft of constitutions
prepared up to this time……..A span of Chruoy Chang War Bridge was damaged
when a vehicle containing an estimated 200 kilos of explosives was
detonated. Four people were killed
and seven wounded.
March 27, 1972
Chruoy Chang War Bridge was
reopen to traffic after it was repaired.
April 5, 1972
A draft of constitution was agreed.
April 17, 1972
Communist forces cut off 1000 govt. troops near Angkor
Wat.
April 25, 1972
The New York Times reports that Communist troops have
taken control of all Cambodian territory east of the Mekong River along the
border with South Vietnam, except for a few provincial capitals.
April 26, 1972
Communist troops are reported massing near the city and
have been sighted within 10 miles of its limits.
April 30, 1972
The draft of constitution was overwhelmingly approved by a popular
referendum.
May 6, 1972
Communists launched its second
major attack on Phnom Penh area killing 28 people and wounded 96 others. The city was lightly shelled again on the
9, 10 and 11.
May 10, 1972
New constitution (Cambodia second since independent in 1953) is promulgated.
May 17-18, 1972
OPERATION ANGKOR CHEY resume, with limited success.
June 4, 1972
Marshal Lon Nol is declared winner in Cambodia's first presidential election.
He won 54.92 percent of 1,059,000 votes cast by beating In Tam who grabs
24.44 percent and Keo An - dean of the Phnom Penh University law school - who
grabs the rest.
June 19, 1972
First US Air Force supply airdrop to Khmer army occurred during the siege of
Svay Rieng province……..Prince Sihanouk began his international trip on behalf
of National United Front of Kampuchea (NUFK).
June 25, 1972
Two battalions of the 48th
Khmer Krom Brigade were ambushed by the communists Southeast of Neak Luong
along Route 1, only 13 soldiers returned to friendly lines while
approximately 600 others were officially unaccounted for.
July 4-24, 1972
FANK launched OPERATION SORYA, a joint Cambodia-South Vietnamese operation,
to retake Kompong Trabek and Route 1.
The objective was accomplished on the 24th.
July 31, 1972
South Vietnamese troops launches an offensive near
Kompong Trabek in the Parrot's Beak of eastern Cambodia.
Aug. 6, 1972
PAVN launched a counterattack against SORYA I forces on Route 1, capturing a 7-km
section of the Route which isolate five battalions of the FANK 11th
Brigade group west of Kompong Trabek.
The attack supported by armor; this was the first time that communists
use armor in Cambodia.
Aug. 8, 1972
A FANK helicopter carrying
refugees was shot down by a SA-7 missile, killing 14 people……. Pres. Lon
Nol flies to Neak Luong to confer with FANK and South Vietnamese commanders
defending Kompong Trabek.
Aug. 11-21, 1972
OPERATION SORYA II was launched to relieve surrounded SORYA I units and clear
Route 1. After ten days of artillery
and air strikes on communist strongholds along the Route, allied forces (ARVN
from Neak Luong and South Vietnam) succeeded in linking up with FANK 11th
Brigade units.
Aug. 12, 1972
Khmer Republic and Unites
States signed, in Phnom Penh, a Memo
of Understanding concerning airfield upgrading.
Aug. 21, 1972
Assassination attempted on
Prime Minister Son Ngoc Thanh.
Sept. 7-8, 1972
Rice shortages and rising prices led to food riots in Phnom Penh.
Sept. 9, 1972
NVA troops capture Kompong Trabek.
Sept. 17, 1972
Sosthene Fernandez became FANK (Forces Armees Nationales Khmeres or Royal
Khmer Armed Forces) chief of general staff.
Sept. 21, 1972
Operation Angkor Chey terminated after failure.
Sept. 27, 1972
Terrorists attempted to
assassinate US Charge d’Affaires, Mr. Enders. Approximately 15 kilos of plastic explosive were exploded near
his car as he exited Independence Monument circle on the way to the US
Embassy. Mr. Enders escaped unharmed,
although his car was destroyed by the explosion and subsequent fire. A security outrider and a passing cyclist
were killed.
Oct. 7, 1972
PAVN sappers made severest raid on Phnom Penh, damaging Chruoy Chang War
Bridge and destroying seven of FANK M-113 APCs.
Oct. 14, 1972
PM Son Ngoc Thanh's cabinet resigns. Pres. Lon Nol appoints Hang Thun Hak to
form a new cabinet.
Oct. 15, 1972
Hang Thun Hak becomes Prime
Minister (10/15/72-05/06/73).
Oct. 22, 1972
Henry Kissinger visited Cambodia.
Oct. 29, 1972
Prince Sihanouk, speaking in Peking, says that the
proposed US-North Vietnamese peace treaty will not end fighting in Cambodia,
because his force will then overthrow the Phnom Penh govt.
Oct. 30, 1972
PAVN made another raid against
sensitive installations in Phnom Penh area.
Ammunition in a storage facility near Pochentong airport was
destroyed, and the Komboul radio station was heavily damaged by enemy
indirect fire.
Nov. 4, 1972
Lon Nol offers amnesty to any Khmer Rouge soldiers who
defect to the govt.
Nov. 15, 1972
FANK recapture Trapeang Kraleng, 35 miles west of Phnom
Penh, that had been under the Communist control since Nov. 1.
Dec. 3, 1972
Lon Nol launched "Neo-Khmerism" theory.
Dec. 7-27, 1972
Communists launched a major offensive directed against Kompong Thom. A mixed PNLAFK-PAVN of an estimated
4000-7000 troops attacked and inflicted heavy casualties on the 3000-man FANK
defenders in the first two days of fighting.
USAF tactical air strikes helped to slow the communists
offensive. To relief the enemy
pressure, FANK began to reinforce Kompong Thom on Dec. 19 with 12th
Brigade troops from Siem Reap. The
communists made another drive on Dec. 23-24 but the attack was driven off by
a strong defense with major assistance from USAF strikes. And on Dec. 27, FANK shifted to the
counterattack that succeeded in expanding Kompong Thom perimeter.
1973
Chronology Of Cambodia History
Abbreviations on
this page
Jan. 3, 1973
US Rep. Kock introduces H.R.713
Jan. 18, 1973
US Rep. Gude introduces H.R. 2325
Jan. 6, 1973
PNLAFK conducted its first significant action without direct Vietnamese
Communist participation.
Jan. 23, 1973
Pres. Nixon announces that Henry Kissinger and Le Duc
Tho have initialed an agreement in Paris to end the Vietnam War.
Jan. 24, 1973
Prince Sihanouk meets with
Chinese PM Zhou Enlai in Beijing. The
Prince is told: " According to what the Vietnamese side told our
ambassador in Hanoi, the armistice in Vietnam does not cover Cambodia and Laos. This was Point 7
in the original nine-point agreement. But this time the agreement makes it
clear that the problems of the three Indochina countries should be solved by
the three countries themselves. This point was not included in the previous
drafts, and is added this time. If this is true, the agreement is better than
the previous one. This means that other countries cannot interfere with the
affairs of the three countries." [25]
Jan. 27, 1973
Paris Agreement signed to bring peace to Southeast Asia. Article 20 of the
Agreement deals with the withdrawal of foreign troops from Cambodia.
Jan. 28, 1973
At 8:00 AM Saigon time, the cease-fire agreement aimed
at ending the Vietnam Was goes into effect.
Jan. 29, 1973
Phnom Penh govt. declared unilateral cease-fire. In his radio message, Lon Nol asked that the VC/NVA lay down
their arms and the Khmer communist forces to rejoin their national community
with a guarantee of general amnesty.
FANK suspended offensive operations against the communists.
Feb. 1, 1973
US vice pres., Spiro Agnew, visited Cambodia………Penn Nouth meets with Zhou
Enlai in Beijing; Nouth is told Chairman Mao said: "It is good that the
Vietnamese-American agreement lets the American troops leave Vietnam. This
agreement is a success. After the withdrawal of American troops, including
American naval, air, and land forces, and after the withdrawal of American
military bases, it is easy to deal with Nguyen Van Thieu. The troops of the
allies [of the Saigon regime] will all leave. For example, the troops of South
Korea have begun to leave. Why does the United States do this? For the
purpose of getting out. It has dispatched so many troops to Indochina, and
spent so much money there, and the problem has not been solved. And new
problems emerge continuously. Finally the agreement has been reached. While
the American troops will leave, the agreement does not formally and openly
ask the North Vietnamese troops to leave. Nguyen Van Thieu made a really loud
noise against the United States. It was because of Nguyen Van Thieu's
opposition that the agreement was not signed last October. Of course, the
rightists in the United States do not favor the agreement either. In
addition, the Pentagon wants to ship ammunition and weapons to South Vietnam,
and, with the signing of the agreement, the shipping will become impossible.
Therefore, the signing of the agreement was delayed, and a large amount of
ammunition was transported to South Vietnam. But Nguyen Van Thieu was not in
a position to know how to use it. [North] Vietnam does not recognize its
troops to be foreign troops. At this point, the United States made
concessions. If there had not been victories on the battlefield, there would
not have been gains at the negotiation table." [25]
Feb. 7, 1973
US air action recommences after 11-day halt…….North Vietnam and Prince
Sihanouk's govt. issues a joint communiqué, insisting that the war would be
continued in Cambodia.
Feb. 27, 1973
Khmer Republic and World
Health Organization signed a basic agreement
for the provision of technical assistance.
March 2, 1973
FANK troops flee north to the Phnom Penh suburb of
Takhmau in face of Communist advances along Route 2.
March 17, 1973
Grenade was thrown into
meeting of striking teachers and their students in Phnom Penh…….Assassination
attempted against Lon Nol: a Khmer air force Captain So Potra hijacked a
T-28D fighter-bomber from Pochentong and dropped two 250-pound bombs on
Chamcar Mon Palace in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Khmer Republic
President.
March 22, 1973
Govt. imprison 20 people and has another 100 under house
arrest in connection with the March 17 assassination attempt.
March 25, 1973
Assassination attempt against leading Lon Nol opponent Tep Khunnah.
March 26, 1973
Khmer Rouge capture Trapeang Thnot, 10 miles west of
Phnom Penh.
March 31, 1973
Khmer Rouge shell Takeo province and seize a portion of
the road linking the province with Phnom Penh.
April 4, 1973
US Rep McCloskey introduces H.J.RES. 486
a joint resolution to terminate American military activities in Cambodian and
Laos………Lon Nol govt. declares a state of danger as the military
situation around Phnom Penh worsen.
April 5, 1973
US Senate investigators arrived in Phnom Penh.
April 11, 1973
Prince Sihanouk returned to Beijing after Hanoi stopover following Cambodia
tour……. US deliver vital supplies into besieged Phnom Penh from
Saigon.
April 15, 1973
Three tankers, said to be escorted by US bombers and
Cambodian helicopter gunships, penetrate the communist blockade of the Mekong
river and reach Phnom Penh.
April 18, 1973
Communist forces capture the coastal town of Kep, 85 miles
southwest of Phnom Penh.
April 22, 1973
Communist forces penetrate a defensive perimeter nine
miles south of Phnom Penh.
April 23, 1973
State Dept. claims that NVA forces are heavily involved in
the Cambodian fighting….….Henry Kissinger claims that the US is not
supporting any particular side in the Cambodian war, but rather is seeking a
political settlement.
April 24, 1973
Lon Nol created High Political Council. The council consisted of Lon Nol,
Sirik Matak, In Tam, and Cheng Heng. In Tam was selected as Prime Minister.
April 25, 1973
Khmer Rouge advance across Mekong River from Phnom Penh began month-long
fight; US Embassy evacuation alert.
April 29, 1973
South Vietnamese FM Tran Van Lam discloses that he has
rejected Pres. Lon Nol's request to provide air support if the US discontinues
air strikes in Cambodia.
May 6, 1973
In Tam becomes Prime Minister
of the Khmer Republic (05/06/73-12/09/73).
May 7, 1973
Pathet Lao announces their withdrawal from an alliance
with NVA, VC, and Cambodian Communists………For the first time since April 23, a
Mekon River supply convoy reaches Phnom Penh from South Vietnam.
May 10, 1973
Prince Sihanouk began his 56-day tour of Africa and East Europe……..US House
of Representative voted, 219-188, to block the use of funds for continue
bombing of Cambodia. This was the first time in the war that the House had
voted to undercut a military action on which the Pres. insists.
May 23, 1973
Communist forces overrun the govt. outpost on the Mekong
River at Lovea Sar, 20 miles southeast of Phnom Penh.
May 29, 1973
Prince Sihanouk rejects Lon Nol's request for peace
talks………..FANK, aided by US air strikes, halt the Communist siege on Route 5.
May 30, 1973
Mass release of royal family members arrested after March 17 assassination
attempt.
June 3-4, 1973
European news agencies reported that Prince Sihanouk has attempted to make
contact with Pres. Nixon through third countries, but that his overtures had
been rejected. The State Department confirmed these accounts.
June 5, 1973
Zhou Enlai meets with
Vietnamese communist delegation; the PRC Premier is informed that the Khmer
communist is making much progress against Lon Nol. [Conversation]
June 7, 1973
Heavy fighting continues around Route 4 linking Phnom
Penh with Kompong Som.
June 13, 1973
Sosthene Fernandez became FANK commander-in-chief.
June 14, 1973
Le Duc Tho, Hanoi's negotiator, told the press that "no tacit
agreement" exists between him and Henry Kissinger on Cambodia.
June 19, 1973
FANK recapture a section of Route 4, 16 miles west of
Phnom Penh.
June 25, 1973
US Rep. Mahon introduces H.J.RES. 636
a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1974
for Cambodia, among others.
June 30, 1973
US Pres. Richard Nixon signed PL 93-52, setting Aug. 15 cutoff of all US
military action in Indochina.
June 29, 1973
Communist forces launch an offensive to capture Kompong
Spea province, 29 miles southwest of Phnom Penh.
July 2, 1973
US Defense Dept. announces that bombing in Cambodia have
increased from 150 weekly to around 200s.
July 4, 1973
FANK command reports that communist forces again cut off
Route 4, linking Phnom Penh and Kompong Som.
July 16, 1973
Khmer Republic govt. instituted compulsory military service…… Communist
forces tighten their siege of Phnom Penh, despite heavy US air strikes.
July 17, 1973
Defense Dept. sources acknowledged that US B-52 bombers had carried out at least
3500 secret bombing raids over Cambodia in a 14-month period beginning in
March 1969.
July 19-21, 1973
A "National Congress" of the Cambodian resistance movement, held in
the "liberated zone," decided that there will be no peace until all
US military activities in Cambodia are ended and Lon Nol was replaced by
leaders from Prince Sihanouk's govt..
July 22, 1973
Communist forces advance to within 10 miles of Phnom
Penh.
July 25, 1973
The US State Dept. claimed that Prince Sihanouk had authorized the bombing in
1969 to expel North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces from Cambodia…….Khmer
Republic and United States signed, in Phnom Penh, an agreement
for sales of agricultural commodities……..US Congressman Harrington introduced
resolution H.RES.508
directing the Secretary of Defense to furnish the House of Representatives
with data concerning the extent of the bombing of Cambodia and Laos from Jan.
20, 1969 through April 30, 1970.
July 26, 1973
US, British, and Australian embassies in Phnom Penh call
the situation grave and direct evacuation of nonessential personnel.
July 28, 1973
S’aang is captured by the Communist forces after a
three-month siege.
Aug. 2, 1973
US govt. announces that it will continue all assistance
allowable by law to Cambodia after the Aug. 15 deadline for halting air
support.
Aug. 3, 1973
Khmer Rouge troops advance to within three miles of Phnom
Penh.
Aug. 5, 1973
FANK recapture Veal Sbou, 3 miles southeast of Phnom Penh.
Aug. 7, 1973
US Air Force accidentally bombed Neak Luong killing 137 and wounding 268,
mostly Cambodian soldiers and their families. An US Air Force officer blamed
the incident on an error by the plane's radar-navigator.
Aug. 10, 1973
The Communist infiltrate Phnom Penh, knocking out one of
the city's two radio stations.
Aug. 12, 1973
Lon Nol refuses to grant military protection in Phnom
Penh to the royal family……….Communist forces capture Skoun.
Aug. 15, 1973
US announced officially the end of all its aerial operations in support of
Cambodian army (FANK) against the communists.
Aug. 16, 1973
Battle for Kompong Cham
province, Cambodia's third largest city, begins……….Pham Van Dong, in a
meeting with Zhou Enlai in Beijing, is told: "The Americans told
comrade Huang Chen that they want to solve the Cambodian question and that
they were ready to talk with Sihanouk or with his representative. At the same
time, they want representatives of the United National Front in Cambodia to hold talks with Lon
Nol's faction. What we are concerned
about is that Sihanouk will change his position. We cannot change the joint
position adopted by the Indochinese countries' summit. As long as the US
continues its bombing operation, talks cannot be held. But at this moment,
the US wishes to withdraw from Cambodia.
If we can win the sympathy of some people in Lon Nol's faction, we will be in
an advantageous position. It is therefore unwise if these chances are not
exploited." [25]
Aug. 20, 1973
Khmer Rouge end a five-day lull with attacks on the
provincial capital of Kompong Cham and Kompong Speu.
Aug. 21, 1973
Cambodian Amb. to the US Um Sim reads an open letter
addressed to all US congressmen appealing for continued aid………..Prince
Sihanouk asserts that he never assented to US bombing of Cambodia in 1969, as
claimed by Nixon.
Aug. 26, 1973
US Defense Secy. James Schlesinger confirms that heavy
fighting erupted on several occasions between the Khmer Rouge and NVA in
Cambodia………..Khmer Rouge cuts Route 4 and 5.
Sept. 3, 1973
A convoy of 15 river boats reaches govt. troops in
besieged Kompong Cham.
Sept. 4, 1973
US Ambassador Swank gave farewell press conference.
Sept. 7, 1973
Twelve FANK army officers are executed for ordering a
retreat of their troops in a battle north of Kompong Cham province.
Sept. 11, 1973
FANK win a week-long battle for Kompong Cham.
Sept. 18, 1973
FANK reopen Route 4, liking Phnom Penh and Kompong Som.
Oct. 4, 1973
Kompong Cham battle ended in FANK victory.
Oct. 8, 1973
Zhou Enlai meets with Le Thanh
Nghi who is advised to be consistent in negotiation with the US that
communist system will not be imposed in South Vietnam after the US
withdrawal; however, the neocolonial system will not be maintained
there. On Cambodia, Zhou says:
"Negotiations in Cambodia are not suitable for the time being. Sihanouk
is against negotiations. So is the
internal faction of FUNK. They want
to prolong the fighting for some more time.
Therefore, if you see any possibility for talks, please tell
them. We are not in a position to do
so because we have talked with them a lot about fighting and encouraged them
to fight. We suggest that the
Vietnamese Workers' Party find a suitable more to tell them." [25]
Oct. 9, 1973
Soviet inform Prince Sihanouk that it now considers him
the legal govt. leader of Cambodia.
Oct. 13, 1973
After three weeks of fighting FANK break through a rebel
road block, and military and supply convoys begin traveling from Kompong Som
to Phnom Penh's beleaguered govt. troops.
Oct. 25, 1973
All but three Soviet embassy staff in Phnom Penh leave
Cambodia.
Oct. 25-30, 1973
Operation Thunder Strike launched, first major Khmer air offensive.
Oct. 31, 1973
For the second time in three days, the Communists toss grenades
into crowds in Phnom Penh, killing eight.
Nov. 3, 1973
Royal family members left Phnom Penh for Beijing.
Nov. 5, 1973
US Senate passes a resolution H.CON.RES.373
authorizing the Clerk of the House of Representative to make correction in
the enrollment of the bill (H.R. 9286) by adding the following provision:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon enactment of this Act, no
funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated may be obligated or expended to
finance the involvement of United States military forces in hostilities in or
over or from off the shores of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos, or
Cambodia unless specifically authorized hereafter by the Congress……… FANK
recapture from the Khmer Rouge three positions northeast of Phnom Penh.
Nov. 6, 1973
At least 700 FANK soldiers and civilians are killed or
taken prisoner in an ambush after fleeing from Srang, 26 miles southwest of
Phnom Penh.
Nov. 9, 1973
Prince Sihanouk announced transfer of RGNUK (Royal Government of National
Union of Kampuchea) from Beijing, China, to Cambodia.
Nov. 19, 1973
A Khmer air force lieutenant, Pech Lim Kuon, dropped four bombs on a govt.
building, where Lon Nol about to chair a meeting, in a second unsuccessful
aerial assassination attempts against the Khmer Republic pres.. Lon Nol
escaped unhurt.
Nov. 30, 1973
Khmer Rouge captures the govt. outpost of Vihear Suor, 12
miles east of Phnom Penh.
Dec. 5, 1973
A force of about 20 Khmer Rouge commandos make their way
into Phnom Penh and carry out their first insurgent attack inside the city in
more than a year.
Dec. 11, 1973
US House of Rep. passes
resolution H.RES.742
considering the emergency security assistance authorizations for Israel and
Cambodia…… Khmer Rouge cut off Route 5, linking Phnom Penh and
Battambang province.
Dec. 23, 1973
PNLAFK began its two-month assaults on Phnom Penh with intensive bombardment.
Dec. 26, 1973
Long Boret becomes Prime Minister of the Khmer
Republic (12/26/73-04/17/75).
Dec. 30, 1973
Lon Nol visited his troops
along Route 4.
1974 Chronology Of Cambodia
History
Abbreviations on
this page
Jan. 5-7, 1974
Khmer Rouge open 1974 dry-season offensive with attack on the northwest
perimeter of Phnom Penh. An estimated
two communist regiments attacked northwest sector, approximately 5-6 km from
Phnom Penh, with 105-mm artillery bombardment. FANK reacted on the morning of Jan. 6 by committing the 28th
Brigade support by two M-113 squadrons.
Heavy fighting ensued on Jan. 6-7; 100 communists were killed………Assassination
attempted against Gen. Sosthene Fernandez on Jan.6.
Jan. 9, 1974
Former PM Son Sann (a centralist) formally asks Pres. Lon Nol to step down,
as the war is moving closer to the capital.
Jan. 19, 1974
Khmer Rouge attacked
southwestern defense sector, causing the FANK 334th Battalion to
withdraw in disarray without any orders.
Jan. 28, 1974
Khmer Rouge end six days of shelling on Phnom Penh, which
killed 89 and wounded 229 civilians……….In a letter to Lon Nol, Pres. Nixon
promises maximum US assistance to Phnom Penh in the fight against the Khmer
Rouge.
Jan. 30, 1974
Lon Nol declares a six months state of emergency to cope
with the Khmer Rouge attacks and civilians unrest.
Feb. 11, 1974
Khmer Rouge shell Phnom Penh area with 105-mm howitzer, causing civilian
casualties of over 200 killed and wounded with some 10,000 became homeless.
Feb. 26, 1974
PNLAFK (Khmer Rouge) begin their assault on Kompot province.
March 3, 1974
PNLAFK (Khmer Rouge) began assault on Oudong.
March 6, 1974
New Khmer army draft drive began.
March 8, 1974
Mass pro-Sihanouk, anti-Pol Pot Khmer Rouge defect to govt. side.
March 12, 1974
FANK break the rebel hold of Route 4, 15 miles west of
Phnom Penh.
March 18, 1974
Khmer Rouge capture Oudong, 24 miles northwest of Phnom
Penh, killing previously wounded FANK
soldiers. Several FANK soldiers
killed their families and themselves to avoid being captured.
March 28, 1974
GRUNK Deputy PM and PNLAFK Commander Khieu Samphan began his 77-days
Asia-East Europe-Africa tour……. FANK fail to retake Oudong from the
Khmer Rouge after a week of heavy fighting.
March 31, 1974
New US ambassador, John G. Dean, arrived in Phnom Penh……..Lon Nol dissolved
High Political Council upon resumption of two-chamber parliament.
April 1, 1974
The High Political Council that dissolved a day earlier was replaced by a
four-man executive council, which conspired of Lon Nol, Sirik Matak, Long
Boret and Gen. Fernandez.
April 3, 1974
John Dean presented his letters of credential as American ambassador to
Cambodia.
April 4, 1974
FANK launch a counterattack, including hand-to-hand
combat, against 4,000 Khmer Rouge forces who besieged Kompot.
April 7, 1974
More than 400 FANK soldiers and civilians are lost when
Khmer Rouge overrun six govt. outposts southeast of Phnom Penh.
April 21, 1974
Khmer Rouge overrun key FANK
positions along the Tonle Sap River bank, encircling Kompong Luong garrison
which was abandoned a week later. The
garrison approximately 15000 civilians and 2000 military personnel moved into
Lonvaek garrison.
April 24, 1974
Rebel forces capture the govt. outpost at Koh Krabei,
eight miles southeast of Phnom Penh……….Rebel forces numbering 2,500 intensify
their drive against govt. troops trapped at Peam Lovek, 25 miles north of
Phnom Penh.
April 30, 1974
Khmer Rouge begin siege of Lonvaek garrison…….. For the first time
since 1973, thousands of South Vietnamese troops cross into Cambodia in
pursuit of NVA.
April 10, 1974
The Western Kampot defense
perimeter collapsed, making the PNLAFK (Khmer Rouge) within 1.5 kms from the
heart of the city.
April 29, 1974
PNLAFK (Khmer Rouge) shelled Takhmau
killing 9 and wounding 37 civilians.
April 30, 1974
FANK counterattack was able to push the west perimeter out 2.5 km from Kampot
city center and re-captured Kbal Romeas.
May 14, 1974
Khmer Republic and United States of America exchanged notes, in Phnom Penh,
constituting an agreement relating to military assistance. [Notes
13800] …… FANK halt a rebel drive on Route 4 toward Kompong Som.
May 20, 1974
PNLAFK attacked Kompong Seila, beginning war's longest sustained siege.
May 26, 1974
People's Republic of China announced its open-end military agreement with
Khmer Rouge.
May 28, 1974
Khmer navy reopened Tonle Sap River.
June 5, 1974
Minister of National Education Keo Sangkim and his deputy, Thach Chea, were
kidnapped from their offices by protesting students. Both officials are
killed.
June 12, 1974
Lonvaek garrison broke the Khmer Rouge’s siege.
June 13, 1974
Khieu Samphan received head of state treatment from PRC at the end of his
three-continent tour.
June 17, 1974
Long Boret forms a new 16-member Cabinet.
June 29, 1974
FANK recaptured Oudong.
June 30, 1974
US supply of materiel to Khmer air force ended.
July 2, 1974
US notified UN of its
objection to, among others, the Khmer Republic reservations concerning Vienna
Convention On Diplomatic Relations. [7310]
July 9, 1974
Lon Nol govt. made another
appeal to the Khmer communist to commence peace talks without pre-conditions.
July 30, 1974
The Judiciary Committee approved Article III, which charges the Pres. with
contempt of Congress; it voted down Article IV, which accused the Pres. of
waging secret illegal war in Cambodia.
Aug. 4, 1974
Khmer Rouge capture five govt. outposts within five
miles from Phnom Penh.
Aug. 6, 1974
Rebel rockets strike at the center of Phnom Penh,
killing a policeman.
Aug. 9, 1974
US Pres. Richard Nixon resigned.
Aug. 10, 1974
Khmer Republic and United States
signed an agreement for sales of agricultural commodities. [Subsequent
agreement]
Aug. 15, 1974
The Khmer Republic celebrated
for the first and last time the Armed Forces Day. Lon Nol made another appeal for the Khmer communist to enter
peace talk.
Aug. 21, 1974
FANK initiated offensive for control of Bassac River southeast of Phnom Penh.
Aug. 26, 1974
FANK recapture Angkor Wat.
Sept. 17, 1974
Khmer Republic and United
States exchanges notes amending the agreement of Aug. 10, 1974 relating to
the sales of agricultural commodities. [Notes
14504]
Oct. 7, 1974
Regular US military non-combat air activity in Cambodia ceased.
Oct. 9, 1974
The 4th anniversary
of the Khmer Republic. Lon Nol made
another appeal for the Khmer communist to enter peace talk.
Oct. 25, 1974
Khmer Republic and United
States exchanges notes amending the agreement of Aug. 10, 1974 relating to
the sales of agricultural commodities. [Note
14504]
Nov. 10, 1974
PNLAFK (Khmer Rouge) launched two weeks of major attacks against Phnom Penh's
northern defenses.
Nov. 30, 1974
U.N. General Assembly voted in
favor of the Khmer Republic to maintain the seat in the world body and asked
various parties in the Cambodia conflict to enter into negotiations. Lon Nol made another appeal for the Khmer
communist to enter peace talk; the Khmer communist never respond favorable to
previous appeals.
Dec. 16, 1974
Pres. Ford met with French Pres. Giscard d'Estaing in Martinique; the final
communiqué stated "regarding Cambodia, they expressed the hope that the
contending parties would enter into negotiations in the near future rather
than continuing the military struggle."
Dec. 18, 1974
US Foreign Assistance Act limits aid to Cambodia.
Dec. 27, 1974
Khmer Republic, Great Britain,
and Northern Ireland exchanged notes constituting an agreement concerning an
interest-free loan by the Govt. of Great Britain to the Govt. of the Khmer
Republic towards the cost of the Prek Thnot power and irrigation Development
Project. [Original
agreement 14300]
Dec. 24, 1974
FANK launched BASSAC RIVER
OPERATION to clear the west bank of the Bassac River.
Dec. 31, 1974
FANK terminated BASSAC RIVER OPERATION.
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