Cambodian Campaign

Cambodian Campaign. The Cambodian Campaign was a series of military operations conducted by the United States and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The campaign involved Operation Menu, a series of United States Air Force bombing campaigns against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong supply lines and bases in Cambodia, and was authorized by President of the United States Richard Nixon and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger. The campaign was supported by South Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu and Prime Minister of South Vietnam Trần Thiện Khiêm.

Background

The Cambodian Campaign was launched in response to the increasing presence of North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces in Cambodia, which was being used as a sanctuary and supply route for attacks against South Vietnam. The United States and South Vietnam had been conducting secret bombing campaigns against these forces since March 1969, but the campaign was expanded in April 1970 to include ground operations. The campaign was supported by Australian Prime Minister John Gorton and New Zealand Prime Minister Keith Holyoake, who contributed Australian Army and New Zealand Army troops to the effort. The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, Ta Mok, and Ieng Sary, also played a significant role in the campaign, as they allied themselves with the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong.

Military Operations

The Cambodian Campaign involved a series of military operations, including Operation Shoemaker, Operation Chenla I, and Operation Chenla II. These operations were conducted by the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and Army of the Republic of Vietnam, and involved airborne assaults, amphibious landings, and ground attacks against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces. The campaign also involved naval operations, including Operation Market Time and Operation Game Warden, which were conducted by the United States Navy and South Vietnamese Navy. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, led by Lon Nol and Sisowath Sirik Matak, also played a significant role in the campaign, as they fought against the Khmer Rouge and North Vietnamese Army.

Aftermath

The Cambodian Campaign ended on June 30, 1970, but the Vietnam War continued until the Paris Peace Accords were signed in January 1973. The campaign had significant consequences, including the overthrow of Prince Norodom Sihanouk and the rise of the Khmer Rouge to power in Cambodia. The campaign also led to increased anti-war protests in the United States, including the Kent State shootings and the Jackson State killings. The My Lai Massacre, which occurred in March 1968, also had a significant impact on public opinion about the Vietnam War. The War Powers Resolution, which was passed by the United States Congress in November 1973, was also a response to the Cambodian Campaign and the Vietnam War.

International Reaction

The Cambodian Campaign was widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations, the Soviet Union, and the People's Republic of China. The campaign was also criticized by Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who opposed the United States's involvement in the Vietnam War. The Australian Labor Party, led by Gough Whitlam, also opposed the campaign, and Australia eventually withdrew its troops from Vietnam in 1971. The New Zealand Labour Party, led by Norman Kirk, also opposed the campaign, and New Zealand eventually withdrew its troops from Vietnam in 1972.

Casualties and Atrocities

The Cambodian Campaign resulted in significant casualties and atrocities, including the killing of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure. The campaign also involved the use of napalm and agent orange, which had significant environmental and health consequences. The Khmer Rouge, which rose to power in Cambodia after the campaign, also committed significant atrocities, including the killing of intellectuals and the forced relocation of civilians. The S-21 Prison, which was established by the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh, was also a site of significant atrocities, including the torture and killing of prisoners. The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, which was established in 2006, is currently trying Khmer Rouge leaders, including Pol Pot, Ta Mok, and Ieng Sary, for their role in the atrocities committed during the Cambodian Campaign and the Khmer Rouge regime. Category:Vietnam War