On 11 May 1970: 47 vessels from the South Vietnamese Navy reached Phnom Penh. It was the official start of the evacuation operation. Journalist Henry Kamm describes the “colourful spectacle” it was for the thousand Cambodians lining the banks of the Mekong River, as the vessels, with their flags flying, were welcomed by two MIG fighters of the Khmer Air Force. The river operation had been conducted by some 110 South Vietnamese patrol boats supported by about 30 American gunboats. They landed troops who recaptured key points. They secured the Mekong River between the border and Phnom Penh and opened the way to five large LST (landing ship tanks). South Vietnamese of Social Welfare Tran Nguyen Phieu was in Phnom Penh to greet the convoy upon arrival. The ships were expected to discharge their cargo of relief goods quickly and leave the day after with refugees. Commodore Tran Van Chon’s LST Vung Tau tied up across from the refugee camp Church Sisters of La Providence. “Vietnamese men and children climbed the walls surrounding the buildings, grasped the barbed wire on top, and strained for a view of the river. They cheered, and they laughed, and some women below wept.” (“47 Saigon vessels reach Phnom Penh”, New York Times, 12 May 1970, p. 1).

Ship transporting militaries and refugees

Phnom Penh, Kandal Province, Cambodia

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