Battle of Yang Dang Khum | |||||||
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Part of the Franco-Thai War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
5,000 men 20 tanks 10 aircraft |
8,000 men 30 tanks 15 aircraft | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown killed or wounded 3 tanks destroyed 2 aircraft shot down |
Unknown killed or wounded 5 tanks destroyed 3 aircraft shot down |
The Battle of Yang Dang Khum took place on January 16, 1941, in a French counterattack during the Franco-Thai War, on the Thai-held villages of Yang Dang Khum and Phum Preav in French Indochina. The conflict was driven by territorial disputes between Vichy France, which controlled French Indochina, and Thailand. The battle resulted in a Thai victory, with the French forces suffering significant casualties and retreating successfully from their positions.
On January 16, 1941, French forces launched a counter-offensive against Thai-held positions in the villages of Yang Dang Khum and Phum Preav, aiming to reclaim these strategic locations. The French planned to leverage their superior firepower, including tanks and aircraft, with concentrated attacks supported by artillery and air raids. Thai forces, commanded by General Phin Choonhavan, fortified their positions with entrenched infantry, tanks, and supporting air units. They executed a coordinated defense strategy, repelling French assaults through organized defense and counterattacks. The Thai forces successfully defended against multiple French assaults, inflicting significant casualties and destroying several French tanks. Their counterattacks disrupted the French offensive momentum, ultimately forcing the French to retreat and regroup.
The battle resulted in a Thai victory, with the Thai forces retaining control over the village of Yang Dang Khum. The French were unable to recapture the territories, and their counter-offensive was effectively halted.