The war free-inhabitant of Thailand (1940 - 1941) opposed the Thailand of the general Plaek Pibulsonggram, more known under the name of Phibun, and the France of Vichy in the Indochinese peninsula.

Context

June 12th, 1940, the government inhabitant of Thailand had agreed to sign with France a Non-aggression pact but after the French rout of 1940, the Prime Minister Phibun inhabitant of Thailand foresees a chance for Thailand to recover the territories given up in France during the reign of Chulalongkorn (provinces of Melou Prei and Tonlé Repou in 1904, and provinces of Battambang, Sisophon and Siem Reap into 1907 which was yielded in 1867 against the recognition of protectorate on the Khmer kingdom; these provinces all were attached to Kampuchea), and to avenge the humiliations undergone in 1893 (fastening of Laos in French Indo-China) and 1904.

The weakening of the Métropole returned the maintenance of French control on hazardous and difficult Indo-China. The colonial, private administration of assistance and reinforcements, had been forced to authorize the Japanese to settle in French Indo-China after the catch of Lạng Sơn (offensive the 22 September 25th, 1940). Low French resistance vis-a-vis this invasion convinces the mode of Phibun which a military confrontation would turn to its advantage.

Release and operations

After nationalist demonstrations and anti-Frenchwomen with Bangkok, frontier skirmishes follow one another along the Mekong. The aviation inhabitant of Thailand, higher of number, bombards day Vientiane, Sisophon, and Battambang in all impunity. The French air forces try raids in reprisals, but the damage caused in Thailand is quite less. The admiral Jean Decoux, general governor of Indo-China, recognizes besides that the aviators inhabitant of Thailand controlled like men having several campaigns with their credit. In December, Thailand occupies Pak-Lay and the Bassac.

At the beginning of January 1941, Thai Burapha and the Isaan armies launch an offensive on the Laos and the Kampuchea. French resistance is immediately places from there, but of many units are exceeded by the forces inhabitants of Thailand, equipped better. The Inhabitants of Thailand occupy Laos quickly, whereas in Kampuchea French resistance is better.

January 16th, 1941, France launches a broad counter-offensive carried out by the 5th regiment foreign of infantry on the villages inhabitant of Thailand of Yang Dang Khum and Phum Preav, where the wildest combat of the war are held. The French counter-attack is blocked, and is completed by a retirement, but the Inhabitants of Thailand cannot continue the French forces, their tanks having been nailed on the ground by the French Artillerie.

Battle of Koh Chang

See also: Battle of Koh Chang

Whereas the situation with ground is critical for France, the admiral Jean Decoux (1884-1963) gives the authorization to the admiral Terraux, ordering the Navy 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 Golfe of Thailand. An air recognition is carried out on January 16th with Satahib (point Is bay of Bangkok) and with Koh Chang.

In the morning of January 17th, 1941, the " group occasionnel" , fleet of circumstance formed of the cruiser Lamotte-Picquet, the colonial sloops Dumont d' Urville , Admiral Charner and of the sloops the Marne and Tahure , placed under the command of the captain Governed Berenger, ordering the cruiser Lamotte-Picquet, attacks the ships inhabitant of Thailand in Koh Chang.

Although the enemy fleet outclasses it of number - and by far - the operation of the French navy, carried out with brilliance, is completed by a complete victory. At the conclusion of the combat, which lasts almost two hours, the assessment is heavy side inhabitant of Thailand. The destroyers Chomburi and Songkla are run. The coastguard armoured Dombhuri capsizes, in flames. A good part of the fleet of war inhabitant of Thailand is destroyed.

The assessment of the human losses is divergent according to the sources. According to the French navy, more than 300 men died on the side inhabitant of Thailand and there are hardly but 80 survivors.

It is an important victory. Moreover, the battle of Koh Chang, on January 17th, 1941, is the last naval battle gained by France (in fact, the only naval victory gained by France during the two world wars).

However, on January 24th, the final air battle takes place when the French airport of Angkor is reached by a raid of the bombers inhabitant of Thailand.

Conclusion and consequences

The war makes according to certain sources approximately: 3400 dead; This assessment is very divergent according to the sources.

Japan, eager to make sure military collaboration of Thailand, intervenes quickly as a mediator in the conflict. An ultimatum initially imposes on the two belligerents a Armistice, proclaimed the 28. May 9th, France, under Japanese constraint, sign a peace treaty, by which it gives up the provinces of Battambang and Siem Réap (literally " Siam écrasé"), taken with the Kampuchea, of Champasak and Sayaburi (taken with the Laos which thus yields the territories on Right Bank of Mekong) that is to say a territory of more than: 50000 km2 lived by: 420000 people. This treaty is followed of another between France and Laos on August 21st. The Protectorat French consequently proves unable to preserve its colonies at Kampuchea and Laos.

This annexation causes, in July 1941, the imposition by the United States of an embargo on the delivery of Pétrole towards Japan and creation, by the Anglo-Saxon secret services, of the Thai Séri (free Thais), clandestine organization anti-Japanese woman.

After Pearl Harbor, the people and the assembly inhabitant of Thailand mobilize themselves against Japan, which attacks it but after the short countryside concluded by the Bataille from Prachuab Khirikhan, Thailand is combined in Japan. The territories annexed by Thailand will be restored in France only in November 1947.

See too

Sources and references

  • '' the conflict free-inhabitant of Thailand (June 1940 - May 1941), a Japanese handling? '', Fabienne Draper-Bernadet. Article published in the historical Review of the armies, n°223, 2001

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