By the end of January 1970, the KVM buildup and NVA movements had touched off what would become ever-escalating rounds of Communist fratricide; touched this off even as Royal Government Forces began new tactical operations to, ostensibly, reassert Cambodian sovereignty, halt NVA expansion and force a political guarantee from the North Viet Namese that they would withdraw after their victory in South Viet Nam. Simultaneously, NVA and Krahom intelligence indicated to their respective leaders that American diplomatic efforts were pressing Sihanouk to formally sanction additional high-level B-52 “Menu” bombings. NVA historical accounts call these reports ominous. Perhaps the reports caused a feeling of urgency amongst the North Viet Namese leadership, a need to attack and conquer Phnom Penh be
