An original Associated Press black-and-white press photograph showing a Cambodian soldier giving his pet puppy a drink from an improvised bowl made from a military shell case during fighting at Arey Khsat, near Phnom Penh.
The soldier is shown crouching in camouflage uniform and combat helmet, with his rifle beside him, while pouring water for the puppy. The contrast between the battlefield setting and the soldier’s affectionate care for the animal creates an unusually engaging and memorable image from the Cambodian Civil War.
The original Associated Press caption attached to the reverse is headed:
“BATTLEFIELD PUP”
It states:
“A Cambodian soldier gives his pet puppy a drink from a shellcase ‘bowl’ during fighting at Arey Khsat, a town near Phnom Penh.”
The caption carries the Associated Press reference SAI/STR CC 1132 and the date code 250275, corresponding to 25 February 1975. It also records that the photograph was supplied from London for first publication in evening newspapers on Monday, 17 March.
Arey Khsat lies across the Mekong from Phnom Penh and formed part of the strategically important approaches to the Cambodian capital. Fighting in the area took place during the Khmer Republic’s increasingly desperate defence of Phnom Penh and its remaining river supply routes. The capital was captured by Khmer Rouge forces on 17 April 1975, less than two months after the photograph was taken.
The reverse retains:
This is a genuine period Associated Press press photograph produced for contemporary newspaper use. It is not a modern reproduction.
Good condition for an original working press photograph. There is light age toning, minor surface marking and normal handling wear, with slight edge and corner wear and a small amount of disturbance along the lower edge.
The reverse has general toning and adhesive-related rippling and creasing to the original green caption sheet, together with contemporary archive stamps and manuscript filing marks. The main photographic image remains clear, sharply focused and strongly contrasted.
Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
Title: Battlefield Pup
Agency: Associated Press
Photographer: Uncredited
Date: 25 February 1975
Location: Arey Khsat, near Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Subject: Cambodian soldier feeding his puppy
Reference: SAI/STR CC 1132
Provenance: Shields Gazette photographic archive
Size: 20.4 × 14.2 cm
Format: Original black-and-white press photograph
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Hornseys – Established 1976
Specialists in Books, Ephemera, Maps, Prints and Collectables.