Fall of Phnom Penh

The fall of Phnom Penh was the capture of Phnom Penh, capital of the Khmer Republic (in present-day Cambodia), by the Khmer Rouge on 17 April 1975, effectively ending the Cambodian Civil War. At the beginning of April 1975, Phnom Penh, one of the last remaining strongholds of the Khmer Republic, was surrounded by the Khmer Rouge and totally dependent on aerial resupply through Pochentong Airport.

Fall of Phnom Penh
Part of the Cambodian Civil War and the Vietnam War
Clockwise from top left:
  • Aerial reconnaissance of an oil storage tank from Esso Shell being burnt down.
  • Aerial reconnaissance view of Monivong Bridge.
  • Soldiers of the MONATIO Militia parading in Phnom Penh.
Date17 April 1975
Location
Phnom Penh, Khmer Republic
Result

Khmer Rouge victory

Belligerents
Khmer Rouge
MONATIO		 Khmer Republic
Commanders and leaders
Pol Pot
Hem Keth Dara		 Sak Sutsakhan
Strength
40,000 ~20,000
Casualties and losses
unknown unknown

With a Khmer Rouge victory imminent, the United States government evacuated US nationals and allied Cambodians on 12 April 1975. On 17 April, the Khmer Republic government evacuated the city, intending to establish a new government center close to the Thai border to continue resistance. Later that day, the last defences around Phnom Penh were overrun and the Khmer Rouge occupied Phnom Penh.

Captured Khmer Republic forces were taken to the Olympic Stadium where they were executed; senior government and military leaders were forced to write confessions prior to their executions. The Khmer Rouge ordered the evacuation of Phnom Penh, emptying the city except for expatriates who took refuge in the French embassy until 30 April, when they were transported to Thailand.

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