Don McCullin
1970
Don McCullin's Nikon F camera, damaged by a Khmer Rouge AK47 bullet at Prey Veng, Cambodia.

Colour image
Imperial War Museum
Photograph © Imperial War Museum
 
The war in Cambodia was particularly savage. Cambodian communist forces, known as the Khmer Rouge, made no distinction between military and civilians, including journalists. In 1970, 25 journalists died in Cambodia. At Prey Veng, Don McCullin barely escaped with his life when the Vietnamese forces he was accompanying were ambushed twice within a few days. On the first occasion, McCullin was saved from injury by his Nikon F camera which stopped a bullet aimed for his head. On the second occasion, he was badly wounded by mortar shrapnel.
 
This image was included in the exhibition "Shaped by War: Photographs by Don McCullin" at the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester, UK (6 February to 13 June 2010)
 
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