Battle of Koh Chang

The battles naval of Koh Chang was held during the Guerre free-inhabitant of Thailand (1940 - 1941).

January 16th, 1941, the France lance a broad terrestrial counter-offensive on the villages inhabitant of Thailand of Yang Dang Khum and Phum Preav, where are held wildest combat of the war .

The French counter-attack is cut in parts, and is completed by a retirement, but the Inhabitants of Thailand cannot continue the French forces, their tanks having been nailed on the spot by the French Artillerie.

Whereas the situation with ground is critical for France, the general governor of Indo-China, the Admiral Jean Decoux, gives the authorization to the admiral Jules Terraux, ordering the National marine in Indo-China, to carry out an operation against the Navy inhabitant of Thailand.

The order is given to the warships available to attack in the gulf of Thailand. A air Reconnaissance is carried out on January 16th with Satahib (point Is bay of Bangkok) and with Koh Chang.

In the morning of January 17th, the " group occasionnel" , formed of the light Cruiser Lamotte-Picquet, of the colonial sloops of Class Bougainville Dumont d' Urville , Admiral Charner and of the Sloop S the Marne and Tahure , placed under the command of the Captain Governed Berenger (1888-1971), ordering the cruiser Lamotte-Picquet attacks the fleet inhabitant of Thailand.

At the conclusion of the combat which lasts a little less than two hours, the assessment is heavy side inhabitant of Thailand. The Destroyer S Chonburi , Songkla and Trat were cast. The Garde-côte Dombury is touched seriously; taken in trailer, it ends up capsizing. A good part of the fleet of war inhabitant of Thailand is destroyed. 36 men died on the destroyed ships on the side inhabitant of Thailand. Several Japanese officers present at edge of the Siamese buildings perish in the confrontation. The French fleet is intact.

The historian of the navy Jacques Mordal pointed out that the battle of Koh Chang is the only battle arranged delivered and gained during the two world wars " … by a French division, on exclusively French levels and with means exclusively français".

Following this victory, the captain Bérenger will be promoted rear-admiral.

The light cruiser Lamotte-Picquet (8000 tons, 8 parts of 155 mm, 4 of 75 mm, 12 torpedo tubes, 2 seaplanes) will be destroyed on January 12th, 1945, during the bombardment of Saigon by American planes.

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