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Battle of Phum Preav
Part of the Franco-Thai War, French Indochina in World War II, the South-East Asian theatre of World War II and the Pacific Theater of World War II
Plaek Phibunsongkhram, observing the army flag of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, after defeating France at Phum Preav.
Date 16 January 1941 Location Phum-Preav, western Cambodia Result Thai victory
Belligerents
Vichy France French Indochina	Thailand
Commanders and leaders
Marcel Chalvidan †	Khun Nimmankolnlayuth
Strength
5° Foreign Infantry Regiment	Unknow
Casualties and losses
33 killed or wounded (French estimates)	1 killed 2 wounded (Thai estimates)

The Battle of Phum Preav was a battle that was part of a French counter-offensive on a Thai-occupied village in western Cambodia during the Franco-Thai War of 1941. The attack ultimately ended in a Thai defensive victory.

The Battle

At dawn on January 16, 1941, the French launched a significant counterattack against Thai-held positions in the villages of Yang Dang Khum and Phum Preav. This engagement quickly became the fiercest battle of the Franco-Thai War, as the French aimed to regain lost territory and halt the Thai advance. The defenders had fortified their positions well, anticipating the French counteroffensive, which put the attackers at a severe disadvantage. As the French troops moved forward, they were met with strong resistance from entrenched Thai forces. The battle quickly became a brutal contest of firepower, but the French found it nearly impossible to break through the Thai lines. The lack of organization among the French, coupled with the strength of the Thai defenses, ultimately caused the offensive to lose momentum and stall.

As the fighting intensified, French forces suffered heavy casualties. Among the dead were two key officers: Captain Marcel Chalvidan and Lieutenant Guy de Cros Peronard. In total, 33 legionnaires from the French Foreign Legion were either killed or wounded during the battle, with the majority of them being fatal casualties. The heavy cassualities forced the french to retreat under the pressure of the Thai defense.

On the Thai side, losses were considerably lighter. According to Major Khun Nimmankolnlayuth, only one Thai soldier was killed in action, while two others were seriously injured. Despite their victory, the Thai forces were unable to press forward due to the effectiveness of the French artillery, which prevented any further advances.

Aftermatch

Although the French were in retreat, their withdrawal was not a complete defeat. The French Foreign Legion's artillery played a crucial role in covering it, preventing the Thai forces from capitalizing on their advantage. The well-coordinated artillery fire held back the advancing Thai tanks, ensuring that the enemy forces were unable to pursue the retreating French troops further.

== "Operaciones terrestres de la guerra franco-tailandesa. 1940-1941" en Battlefields núm . 19. Artículo de Yann Mahé y Étienne le Baube, ilustrado por Guillaume Le Baube, que analiza y detalla el desarrollo de las operaciones.

References

Bibliography

• Mahé & Le Baube, Yann & Étienne. Les opérations terrestres de la guerre franco-thaïlandaise. 1940-1941.

External Links

• Le 5ème REI durant la Guerre franco-thaïlandaise: 1940-1941 at patrianostra.forum
• Foreign Legion events: January 11 – 20 at foreignlegion.info
• 1940 - 1941 : la guerre franco-thaïlandaise at monbalagan.com