Above: Prince Sisowath Monipong in 1950.
Below: Privates, pilots, French advisers and instructors.
Ven Runnath (méca. nav.), ?, ?, ?, Kuch Cheng Heng (méca. nav.),
Keam Edouard (Off Méca.), Cdt Gacouin, ?, ?, Pao Lim Sina.
Above: Air Force officers in parade.
Before and during World War II, very few fellow-countrymen had the pleasure of flying airplanes. As Cambodia was part of the French Union, the few Khmer pilots of that time flew within the French Air Force. In 1939, Prince Sisowath Monipong went to the French Air Academy at Salon de Provence, and during World War II, Prince Sisowath Sundeth served as a B-26 Marauder’s pilot with the Free French Air Force and fought during the Campaign of Italy.
Later on, several Army officers got their private pilot certificate at the Phnom-Penh Flying Club. Some of them joined the Aviation Royale Khmère (AVRK), when it was created in 1954.
In 1940, during the conflict over Cambodian western provinces between France and Thailand, ally of Japan, it seems there were no Cambodian pilots among the French aviators. We pay tribute to all the French aviators who fought in the Cambodian sky but may our French friends forgive us, this is part of another Story....
In 1945 after the departure of the Japanese forces, the only remaining Air Force in Cambodia was the French Armée de l’Air. It continued to provide air transport and some close air support missions during the Indochina War. In 1953 the French finally made plans for an autonomous military Khmer Aviation.
In April 1954, a royal decree officially created the 'Aviation Royale Khmère' (AVRK). Ngo Hou, a doctor and flying club pilot, was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the AVRK. Keu Pau Ann, a former inspector of the Department of Forestry, as well as a member of the flying club, became his assistant. Both respectively received the assimilated ranks of Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain. A staff was formed with army officers, assisted by French Air Force advisers placed under the command of Major De Salabery.
Immediately, a group of French Air Force advisers set an instruction program for the future Khmer aviators (see. notes of pilot instructor André Bellouard) The first recruiting campaign was launched. Several contingents of technical students were subsequently sent to different specialty schools in France. Five air cadets then entered the Class 1954 of the prestigious French Air Academy (Ecole de l’Air) at salon de Provence to be trained as pilot officers. Two more air cadets later joined the same academy as technical-engineer officer. (See 'Ecole Militaire de l’Air' Air Academy 1954). Meantime at Pochentong, the new Royal Flying School, under the command of French Captain Robert Carbonel, began the training of eighteen Khmer pilot students of Class 1 (1954).
1. To read more and view more pictures, visit Khmer Air Force website.
2. visit Khmer Navy website.
Khmerization would like to thank Mr. Davan Long and Mr. Uch Perom for alerting me to these two websites.
Later on, several Army officers got their private pilot certificate at the Phnom-Penh Flying Club. Some of them joined the Aviation Royale Khmère (AVRK), when it was created in 1954.
In 1940, during the conflict over Cambodian western provinces between France and Thailand, ally of Japan, it seems there were no Cambodian pilots among the French aviators. We pay tribute to all the French aviators who fought in the Cambodian sky but may our French friends forgive us, this is part of another Story....
In 1945 after the departure of the Japanese forces, the only remaining Air Force in Cambodia was the French Armée de l’Air. It continued to provide air transport and some close air support missions during the Indochina War. In 1953 the French finally made plans for an autonomous military Khmer Aviation.
In April 1954, a royal decree officially created the 'Aviation Royale Khmère' (AVRK). Ngo Hou, a doctor and flying club pilot, was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the AVRK. Keu Pau Ann, a former inspector of the Department of Forestry, as well as a member of the flying club, became his assistant. Both respectively received the assimilated ranks of Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain. A staff was formed with army officers, assisted by French Air Force advisers placed under the command of Major De Salabery.
Immediately, a group of French Air Force advisers set an instruction program for the future Khmer aviators (see. notes of pilot instructor André Bellouard) The first recruiting campaign was launched. Several contingents of technical students were subsequently sent to different specialty schools in France. Five air cadets then entered the Class 1954 of the prestigious French Air Academy (Ecole de l’Air) at salon de Provence to be trained as pilot officers. Two more air cadets later joined the same academy as technical-engineer officer. (See 'Ecole Militaire de l’Air' Air Academy 1954). Meantime at Pochentong, the new Royal Flying School, under the command of French Captain Robert Carbonel, began the training of eighteen Khmer pilot students of Class 1 (1954).
1. To read more and view more pictures, visit Khmer Air Force website.
2. visit Khmer Navy website.
Khmerization would like to thank Mr. Davan Long and Mr. Uch Perom for alerting me to these two websites.
No comments:
Post a Comment