Word: phnom
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Life in beleaguered Phnom-Penh was gradually returning to normal. For ten days the Cambodian capital had been spared the pounding of the Khmer Insurgents' artillery. Then suddenly, one day last week at midafternoon, captured American 105-mm. howitzers slammed 73 shells into the city in the worst attack in the history of that...
...killing eight. Other rounds came dangerously close to the U.S. embassy. Most of the shells impacted in a densely populated refugee area. Fanned by gusting winds, flames raced through flimsy wood-and-straw huts in a fire storm so intense that a huge pall of smoke almost blotted out Phnom-Penh's bright afternoon sun. The attack took a heavy toll: at least 140 dead, 200 wounded, more than 1,000 homes destroyed and 10,000 people homeless...
Artillery bombarded Phnom-Penh last week, inflicting the most serious damage on the capital in nearly four years of war. Taking advantage of the dry season, Khmer Rouge insurgents moved their forces to within 4½ miles of the city and shelled it over a period of five days with captured U.S.-made 105-mm. howitzers. During the attacks, at least 1,200 of the 25-lb. shells rained upon the refugee-packed capital, demolishing flimsy makeshift huts and killing more than 100 civilians...
...howitzers. Military observers believe that the insurgents are merely lying low, waiting for the government forces to withdraw before resuming the attacks. Said a Western military expert: "Neither side is strong enough to win, or weak enough to lose." A sure loser, however, will be once graceful and tranquil Phnom-Penh. With seven months remaining in the dry season, the capital faces a long, painful siege...
...Khmer Rouge, who have pressed hard against Phnom Penh in recent weeks, are reported to be massing in several of the approaches to the capital and have reportedly intensified their shelling attacks...