War Museum, Siem Reap

The War Museum in Cambodia, situated close to Siem Reap and the International Airport, is a significant site preserving the legacy of Cambodia's civil war. Established near National Highway No. 6, its primary goal is to maintain awareness of this historical period and safeguard its extensive collection for future generations.

This museum boasts a remarkable array of war equipment, predominantly showcased outdoors under mango trees. Since 1999, the collection has been amassed from former battlegrounds like Anlong Veng, Siem Reap, and Odor Meanchey. It includes a diverse mix of weaponry, predominantly Russian, such as tanks and assault arms, alongside Chinese, U.S., and Soviet gear. Some items even have a history tracing back to World War II.

Acquiring these pieces wasn't straightforward. The museum contended with scrap metal dealers for equipment and faced challenges in transporting heavy machinery from dense jungles, including tanks and guns. Over time, private Western collectors like Geoffrey Oldham contributed to the museum, and the General Manager, Mr. R.S. Esselaar, sourced artifacts from remote villages.

In 2015, Project Preservation was initiated to maintain and restore key pieces in the collection. The museum displays a wide variety of military equipment, from Russian T-54 and T-55 tanks, a MiG-19 jet, a Mil Mi-8 helicopter, to artillery like the 85-mm field gun and D-44 divisional gun. Many items show signs of combat use. The museum also houses an extensive assortment of assault rifles, including the famous AK-47, landmines, uniforms, flags, and rare wartime photographs.