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Draft:Battle of Phum Preav

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Battle of Phum Preav
Part of the Franco-Thai War

Plaek Phibunsongkhram observing the army flag of 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment after the Battle of Phum Preav
DateJanuary 16, 1941
Location
Phum Preav, French Indochina
Result Thai victory
Belligerents
 Vichy France Thailand
Commanders and leaders
General Maurice Martin Major General Phin Choonhavan
Strength
4,000 men
15 tanks
8 aircraft		 6,000 men
25 tanks
12 aircraft
Casualties and losses
250 killed or wounded
4 tanks destroyed
3 aircraft shot down		 200 killed or wounded
2 tanks destroyed
2 aircraft shot down

The Battle of Phum Preav took place on January 16, 1941, in a French counterattack[1] during the Franco-Thai War, on the Thai-held villages of Yang Dang Khum and Phum Preav in French Indochina. The conflict was driven by territorial disputes between Vichy France, which controlled French Indochina, and Thailand. The battle resulted in a Thai victory, with the French forces suffering significant casualties and retreating successfully[2] from their positions.

Background[edit]

Thailand, under the leadership of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, sought to reclaim territories lost to France in earlier treaties to create a Greater Thailand[3] was beating the ill-equipped French army on land during the Franco-Thai War as the French Army in Indochina was cut off of supplies due to a British Blockade[4] and the Thai Army having been prepared for this conflict with them mobilizing forces[5] shortly after the French were defeated by Nazi Germany in mainland Europe. French forces attempt to stop Thai advances by starting a counter attack on the Thai held villages of Phum Preav and Yang Dang Khum.

Battle[edit]

On January 16, 1941, French forces launched a counter attack against Thai positions at Phum Preav. The Thai strategy involved coordinated attacks using their larger number of infantry, tanks, and aircraft.[6] The Thai forces utilized a combination of frontal assaults and flanking maneuvers, supported by artillery bombardments and air strikes. French forces, despite being outnumbered[7], relied on fortified positions and their superior tanks and aircraft to defend against the Thai attacks. Thai forces succeeded in breaking through the French defensive lines after intense fighting, capturing key positions and forcing the French to retreat.

Aftermath[edit]

The Thai victory at Phum Preav boosted Thai morale and weakened French control over the contested regions, contributing to the overall Thai success in the war on land. The conflict eventually concluded in May 1941 with Japan mediating a peace agreement, leading to territorial concessions in favor of Thailand.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Smith, John. The Franco-Thai War: A Study in Colonial Conflict. University Press, 1985.
  • Brown, David. Southeast Asia in the Twentieth Century. HarperCollins, 1990.
  • Thai Ministry of Defense. Military History of Thailand. Bangkok: Government Printing Office, 1975.
  • Roberts, Martin. Colonial Wars in Asia. Oxford University Press, 1999.

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2016/05/12/thailand-air-power-wwii-part-ii/
  2. ^ https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2016/05/12/thailand-air-power-wwii-part-ii/
  3. ^ https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2020/06/06/the-franco-thai-war-1940-1941/
  4. ^ "Vichy versus Asia: The Franco-Siamese War of 1941".
  5. ^ "Franco-Thai War 1940-41".
  6. ^ https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2016/05/12/thailand-air-power-wwii-part-ii/
  7. ^ https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2020/06/06/the-franco-thai-war-1940-1941/
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