Commemoration: In Memory of the Cambodians Who Fought in the Trenches in 14-18
- Christophe Gargiulo
- 23 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Let us recall that on November 11, 1918, the armistice ending the guerre de 14-18 was signed. The First World War, which caused more than 18 million deaths, saw the participation of thousands of volunteers from the French colonial empire. Among them were also Cambodians.
The Tears of Prey Veng
The dark and imposing clouds above the village of Chong Ampil, in Prey Veng, were more than just a sign of rain on the afternoon of October 31, 1918. Chak Neang Van, sitting in front of his house, listened to the distant sounds of rural life in one of his three small rice fields. The 66-year-old farmer was blind, and he and his wife lived a difficult and miserable life in the rural Cambodia of the time.
As Chak Neang Van slowly listened to the passing day, he heard some people approaching and then stopping in front of his small house. From the elegant footsteps of the men visiting, the old man thought they must be important. But what could they want from him, a poor farmer from the province of Prey Veng? It was the French resident of the province carrying a letter from the resident of Cambodia, Mr. Baudoin. Chak Neang Van then knew the news could only be bad. The French resident solemnly read the letter’s content:
"Sir, I regret to inform you of the death of your son, the volunteer infantryman Nuon, killed on June 28 at the Alsace front. The general commander of the 33rd corps mentions soldier Nuon as follows: ‘A courageous infantryman who remained with great bravery at his observation post under extremely violent bombardments.’"
Killed in the Line of Duty
The resident continued reading the official letter: «
"The Croix de Guerre has been awarded to this brave soldier and will be sent to you as recognition of your family's sacrifice. His body was buried in the cemetery of the village of Stossweier in Alsace. I would like to renew, on this occasion, the protectorate's gratitude for the sacrifice of your son, who faithfully served France and contributed to the great victories of recent months alongside his Cambodian comrades."
How did Nuon, the only son of a farming family from Cambodia, find himself alongside thousands of other Indochinese soldiers fighting against an aggressor he probably had never heard of before, in a foreign country several thousand kilometers from the kingdom?
Indochinese Participation
Many Cambodians mobilized during the First World War were used behind the front lines, like thousands of Indochinese who worked in French armament factories. In 1915, large posters appeared in Cambodian towns and villages ordering the mobilization of the Indochinese population for the war. But it was only in February 1916 that the Cambodian monarch Sisowath launched a call by royal decree to participate in this famous « Grande Guerre ». The call said:
"It is with immense pride that we authorize our subjects to volunteer to serve in France, in the army, arsenals, and factories."
For the Free World
Like many other volunteer soldiers from the far colonies of the French colonial empire, Cambodians had only vaguely learned that this war threatened to ruin the world, including their country. This catastrophe could then only be avoided with massive mobilization intended to « défendre la sécurité du monde contre la barbarie des Allemands et la participation à la bataille contre le mal qui menace le monde et tous les peuples libres ».
Probably not aware of the destructive power of modern weapons and the horror of this « Grande Guerre », many chose to volunteer to leave for Europe because of attractive conditions and salaries offered.
Which seems logical; no Cambodian volunteer likely suspected the purely geopolitical origins of the conflict, which was also a war among cousins. The enlistment conditions consisted of a lump sum of 80 piastres per soldier or 20 per auxiliary soldier upon contract signing, no taxes for their families, a pension of 3 piastres per month for families while they were abroad, a salary in France, and promotion based on merit.
Recruits
In January 1916, the Governor-General of Indochina announced the need for 7,000 men (seven battalions) of reserves and active Indochinese soldiers, 12,000 volunteers, 10,000 skilled workers (qualified nurses, interpreters), and 20,000 unskilled workers.
Cambodia was called upon to provide 1,000 volunteer infantrymen and 2,500 workers for France. On April 7, 1916, the number of enrolled volunteers (workers and soldiers) amounted to only 1,015 recruits. This was not up to French expectations. King Sisowath had to urge his officials to redouble efforts to recruit the needed numbers by promoting the recruitment campaign more, creating special offices with flags and posters in every provincial sangkat.
Among recruits were five princes, including three grandchildren of Norodom, and two grandchildren of Sisowath. There were about 15 Indochinese battalions, with a Cambodian to 10 ratio. Most Indochinese volunteers came from Annam and Cochinchina. Most Cambodians were enlisted in the 20th Indochinese battalion.
Upon arrival in France, this battalion was split: some went to Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne, and Perpignan. Instead of frontline combat, many soldiers found themselves assigned to agricultural work, railway repair, and armament factories.
Praise
Cambodians were often praised. Captain Gilles of the 1st company of the 23rd Indochinese battalion wrote to superiors about the Cambodians under his command:
"With my own money, I bought three footballs and now have an excellent Cambodian football team that has won several matches against the French team. Recently, at their request and thanks to donations, I formed a music group that shows great promise."
In a second letter sent to King Sisowath (for which he was punished for bypassing protocol), the captain wrote:
"I am pleased to extend my compliments and congratulations regarding the Cambodians’ performance. Dedicated, disciplined, clean, intelligent, these are your subjects. Brave and persistent, after a hard day, they study French, music, or football. Several matches have been played, and we have yet to lose."
He also requested the score of the Cambodian national anthem "to study it and for the day when, covered in glory, they return to Phnom Penh to pay respects". He asked the king to have Phnom Penh women make a national flag for the troops to carry upon their return.
Other reports confirm Cambodians were known for their good conduct and left "an excellent impression and very good memories wherever they traveled". They were praised for their "fierce soldierly air, good attitude, and skillful weapon handling"
In Cambodia, recruitment faced difficulties due to growing peasant rebellions sparked by increased taxes for French war support and rumors that Cambodian volunteers sent to France had been killed. A 1916 circular by Baudoin warned about letters sent by volunteers that contained disheartening content:
"I have been informed that some correspondences sent to Cambodia by native volunteers serving in France contain remarks that could affect their families or create unfavorable civic spirit. Whether these reflections are from discontent or demoralization, they represent an opinion that must be closely examined."
He instructed local authorities to confiscate such letters for their "subversive nature". To raise morale, families were allowed to send free parcels (up to 1 kg) to volunteers.
Opiate Benevolence
This benevolence had consequences as some indochinese workers received opium parcels which they resold. The superior resident warned:
"Indochinese workers received parcels containing opium that they resell. Inform the population that exporting opium to France is forbidden; strict surveillance is in place and offenders face heavy sanctions."
Post-war, discipline weakened as returning Cambodian soldiers deserted their units upon arriving in Saigon to go home without demobilization. The French complained they no longer cared about orders after receiving pay.
Land concessions were made for returning soldiers in Banam (Prey Veng), Popokvil, and Kandal, and 20,000 piastres was allocated in the 1920 budget for their resettlement.
Memorial
In 1919, Phnom Penh’s mayor announced a competition to build a memorial titled "To Those Who Died for France", honoring French, Cambodian, and Asian citizens who died for France. Only French nationals were invited to submit proposals. The monument was inaugurated on February 14, 1925, seven years after the war ended.
The monument, located on a traffic island near the current French embassy, was demolished under the Khmer Rouge. Some remnants decorate public building entrances. Reconstruction began recently during the French minister O. Becht’s visit, preserving the memory of volunteer infantryman Nuon and Cambodians who died in European trenches for the colonial power.
NOTES : Fonds du supérieur résident, dossiers 4246, 4594, 4605, 7727, 7745, 7753, 10 378, 10 421, 15 345 et Revue indochinoise, 1917. PP Post & Collection Delcampe
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