The Killing Fields and Poll Pot

A few days after we returned to Phenom Penh, we visited the killing fields. I heard about the movie but never saw it. I even remember reading about it in the 1970’s,but I was too young then, and did not know the extent of the horror.

We took a 30 minute motorcycle ride to reach the place. I got a hat to shield me from the sun. I was told before we arrived to watch my step and lower my normally loud voice. The killing fields is really a mass cemetery. Bone fragments could be found, and thus I was warned about my step. Respect for the dead demanded silence. The whole place, about two football fields had numerous pits that were filled in. These pits were mass graves.

The first atrocity we saw was a tall 10 foot cabinet full of human skulls. Some were skulls of babies. Others were small and probably skulls of women.The majority were larger and belonged to dead men. That cabinet had 4 towers,each full. All skulls had big holes in them ,whether on top or the side. I am sure the fractures were from the intense beatings. No bullets were used.That was too expensive and too merciful. They were clubbed to death, decapitated while still alive at times,and thrown into pits. Invariably,they were blindfolded and led to slaughter blindly and innocently.gs

Knives or palm branches were used to saw off heads. The victims must have known their fate as they could hear the screams of their comrades. The killing fields is situated in a rural housing district. Large radios blared out deafening music to drown out the screams so the neighbors living close by would not hear the screams of the tortured.

Babies were also killed for fear they would grow up and avenge the death of their parents. Large nails were nailed into the palm trees. The heartless soldiers swung the babies by their legs like baseball bats against those nails. I struggle to find a stronger word than heartless. Perhaps devilish or demonic would be more fitting.

Some did not die and were buried alive. All this was perpetrated by the Poll Pot regime by the Khmer Rouge. There were some political assassinations there, but most,as I was led to believe were the elite, the educated, the pro democracy, the rich, and the anti Khmer rouge . My eyes teared as I prayed for the dead. My rage rose concurrently as I cursed the perpetrators. Human evil seems to have no limit.

All in all,9000 lost their lives in the one place. That is the number of skulls found . Perhaps more died. No mercy was shown. Pictures adorned the museum showing graphic drawings of the torture. It was macabre. Anyone visiting must have a strong disposition. The faint of heart can not take it.

Since my visit, I have not been able to dispel those bitter memories. When I have opportunity to talk to older people I touch upon the subject very gently and sympathetically. All Cambodian families were touched by the Poll Pot regime. Estimates range between 1 and 2 Million dead. May they all rest in peace.