Cambodia: Killing fields and Toul Sleng (S-21) compound (8 images attached)

Discussion in 'Vietnam' started by bucklt, May 27, 2012.

  1. bucklt

    bucklt Bucklt

    Cambodia: Killing fields and Tuol Sleng (S-21) compound (8 images attached)

    Killing Fields – Choeung Ek – Cambodia.

    There are an estimated 350 killing fields in Cambodia - of which Choeung Ek is one. It lies 15 kilometers from Phnom Penh and is easily reached via a short bus ride. Of the estimated 129 mass graves on this one site, about 89 have been disinterred to-date.

    Images include the Memorial Stupa – with many skulls on display - and the actual site of the mass graves including the entrance/exit area and various sign-posts scattered around the grounds. As this area was originally occupied by a Chinese graveyard and as such, I am also including images of some of those remaining graves.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_Fields


    S-21 – Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – Cambodia.

    Images available include:
    1. A,B,C and D detention blocks - internal and external views
    2.14 graves of last victims to die there – no inscriptions on any of the graves
    3. Individual cells – concrete and wood construction – all built inside former classrooms
    4. Photos (mug shots) of individuals imprisoned/tortured there
    5. Photos of the 7 people who survived S-21
    6. General views of grounds and views taken from roads outside the center
    7. Short stories about former Khmer Rouge members – a then-and-now type-scenario
    8. Confessions – under torture – of KR adults, KR youths, civilians, KR staff and soldiers, S-21 staff and 6 foreigners. These images include a mug-shot of the individual concerned, a copy of the original confession in Khmer, an English translation and a thumb image from the accused.
    9. Views covering other areas of compound and various impliments as used by S-21 staff

    Important note: because of the ‘’composition/nature’’ of some of these images, I am particularly keen to share them with those of you who are researching subjects such as: Asian/Cambodian history, The Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, Genocide etc. As such, I would welcome enquiries from writers, historians, reporters and university students.

    note: The Okinawa Perfectural Peace Memorial Museum were holding an exhibition in one of the display rooms.
    Available: File 1 (10 survivors) and File 2 (15 survivors) each file titled ‘’The battle of Okinawa as witnessed by local resident: Testimony’’. These files may be of interest to those who are studying the war in Japan.
    Moderator: will re-post this particular one - if deemed appropriate - to another section.

    All above images are now available - FREE - to researchers, writers and historians. When asked, I normally suggest that you make a donation to a Forces Charity of your own choice.

    Please contact me with your requirements via: nt872b(at)hotmail.com

    Cemeteries already completed - includes all graves/names on memorials* (as of May 2012):
    BURMA (Rangoon, Taukkyan* and Thanbyuzayat Cemeteries),
    CAMBODIA (Postwar Forum: Killing Fields - Choeung Ek - and S.21 - Toul Sleng Genocide Museum)
    CHINA/HK (Sai Wan, Stanley, Happy Valley - 12 cemeteries in total),
    INDIA (Kohima and both cemeteries at Imphal),
    INDONESIA (Jakarta War Cemetery, Ancol Cemetery and Ambon Cemetery),
    ISRAEL (Ramlah and Khayat Beach Cemeteries),
    JAPAN (Yokohama Cemetery),
    THAILAND (Kanchanaburi and Chung Kai Cemeteries),
    MALAYSIA (Taiping, Labuan-Borneo, CherasRoad and Terendak Cemteries),
    SINGAPORE (Kranji Cemetery* including pre/post WW2 graves).
    VIETNAM (Postwar Forum: VC/ARVN cemeteries, Reunification Palace, HCMC museums and Qu Chi tunnels )
    *note: above includes all c25,000 names on the Kranji/Singapore Memorial and all c27,000 names on the Taukkyan/Rangoon Memorial


    Tony Buckley :poppy: Asia War Graves Photo Group and now, since January 2017: www.asiawargraves.com
    01. CAMBODIA - Tuol Sleng -  View towards Main Entrance.jpg 02. CAMBODIA - Tuol Sleng - Rules of Engagement.jpg 03. S-21 - Block B and beyond, C and D.jpg 04. S-21- Last 14 victims - all nameless - discovered by Vietnamese Forces.jpg 05. S-21 - Scene of torture inside former classroom.jpg 06. S-21 - Map of Cambodia.jpg 07. S-21 - Foreigners and their ''confession'' files..jpg 08. Killing Fields - After the rainfalls, more clothing exposed.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2018
  2. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Well done Tony.

    That must have been a really chilling experience going through those areas. I don't think I could do it without showing a lot of emotion.
     
  3. bucklt

    bucklt Bucklt

    Well done Tony.

    That must have been a really chilling experience going through those areas. I don't think I could do it without showing a lot of emotion.

    A childrens’ school – used/modified to imprison, torture and, in some cases, bury victims in the playground.
    Classrooms – modified to hold prisoners in individual cells or in-bulk, lying on the open floor space
    A childrens’ trapeze/exercise bar – to suspend victims from – with hands tied behind their backs
    Beds – without mattresses – to secure and torture victim
    Instead of bullets – ordinary nails are hammered into the head
    Electric flex – to whip with
    Pieces of rope/cord/twine – to secure victims’ hands whilst beating them to death
    Trees – to suspend speakers from in order to drown-out the cries of victims
    Trees – to bash young babies against
    Hoes, forks, spades, iron bars – to beat victims to death with
    Large pottery jars containing water – water torture
    Existing cemeteries – to create mass graves in
    Open farm fields – to work-to-death, murder and bury victims in
    Chairs, feet, fists – to force victims to confess

    I could go on.

    The sheer horror is contained in the ‘’simplicity’’ of the whole operation and what ‘’lingers’’ most is the reality of how they murdered c1.7 million people by using every-day objects!

    Both mentally and physically, these people really did go back to ‘’Year Zero’’!

    Bucklt :poppy: Asia War Graves Photo Group and now, since January 2017: www.asiawargraves.com
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2017
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    8. Confessions – under torture – of KR adults, KR youths, civilians, KR staff and soldiers, S-21 staff and 6 foreigners. These images include a mug-shot of the individual concerned, a copy of the original confession in Khmer, an English translation and a thumb image from the accused.
    Tony,
    What sort of things did they 'confess' to ?
    Were the foreigners accused of spying ?

    edit: just found this on David Lloyd Scott.
    Yachties' Khmer torturer spared
     
  5. bucklt

    bucklt Bucklt

    Tony,
    What sort of things did they 'confess' to ?
    Were the foreigners accused of spying ?

    edit: just found this on David Lloyd Scott.
    Yachties' Khmer torturer spared

    Good question!

    In the first instance, I would recommend you to read this article: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Secondly – and speaking about Cambodian history here – I would recommend any such book written by David Chandler, in particular:
    Voices From S-21 (Terror and History in Pol Pot’s Secret Prison) ISBN: 974-7551-15-2 Silkworm Books.

    Finally, scanning some of these ‘’confession’’ files:

    SUONG Chhoum, 54 year-old civilian. Studied law in France and returned to Cambodia to teach. Was asked to run a university shortly after returning home. On reading this man’s file/background, it’s clear that he was one of the many ‘’intellectuals’’ who were targeted from day one.

    John Dawson Dewhirst, c26 and UK National. Admitted – under torture – both he and his father were members of the CIA.
    note: The KR were absolutely paranoid about the CIA and used to refer to it as ‘’C’’ i.e are you a member of ‘’C’’ etc.

    NOU Pech Alias: SIN. 52 year-old male, a staff member of the KR and employed in Center K-17. Accused of working for ‘’the imperialistic America’’…CIA.

    P-M me for a copy of a particular file…your choice.

    Bucklt :poppy:
     

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