Dutch military aggression II
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The Dutch military aggression II (Indonesia: Agresi Militer Belanda) or Operation Kraai was an attack carried out by the Dutch at the newly-formed Republic of Indonesia in December 1948 - January 1949. This is part of two politionele acties carried out by the Dutch to re-colonize Indonesia. During this attack, the Dutch managed to capture Indonesian then-capital Yogyakarta and seized Indonesian leaders such as President Sukarno.
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[edit] The Beginning
At 18 December, radio broadcasts in Jakarta reported that the Dutch High Representative Dr. Beel was going to give an important speech the next day. This news did not reach Jogja because the Dutch had already cut down the communication line. Meanwhile General Simon Spoor, the Dutch military leader in Indonesia, gave an instruction to begin a full-scale surprise attack against the republic. The operation was codenamed Operation Kraai (Krai = Dutch: crow).
The very first attack began in the early hours of 19 December. At 4.30 Dutch aircraft took off from Bandung, heading for Jogjakarta via Indian Ocean. Dr. Beel announced that the Dutch were no longer bound by the Renville agreement. The aggression began as the Dutch attacked major Indonesian cities. At 5.30 Maguwo airport at Jogjakarta was bombed by the Dutch air force. Poorly armed airport guards could not do nothing (at the beginning some anti-aircraft machine guns fired at the attackers, but were soon overwhelmed by Dutch P-40s and P-51s), and at 6.45 Dutch paratroopers were dropped by C-34 Dakotas at Maguwo. The skirmish lasted for 25 minutes before the Dutch took over Maguwo, killing 128 republicans while suffering no casualties themselves. Landings and attacks were also reported in big cities throughout Java and Sumatra.
The main aim of the Kraai Operation was to quickly destroy the Indonesian army (TNI - Indonesian National Army) which General Spoor thought would desperately defend their capital. Thus, with Dutch superiority both in the air and on land, the Dutch army will easily make a final blow and decisive victory in Indonesian army. Unfortunately, most of the TNI has leaving Yogyakarta, defending west Yogyakarta`s border from another Ducth military campaign. The air attack found the Indonesian unprepared, within some hours advancing Ducth army quickly take the airport, main road, bridge and strategic location. Jenderal Sudirman strategy is to avoid any major contact with Dutch main army, thus prevent Indonesian from total defeat. He would prefer lost territory but gain extra time to consolidated his army. <see:"Operation Kraai (Jenderal Spoor) vs Surat Perintah no. 1 (Jenderal Sudirman),Gramedia Publisher-Indonesian Language>
[edit] The capture of Jogjakarta
After hearing the surprise attack, Indonesian military commander General Sudirman broadcasted Perintah kilat (quick command) via radios. He also requested Sukarno and other leaders to evacuate from Jogja, and join his guerilla army. After a cabinet meeting, they refused and decided to stay in Jogjakarta, and keep communicating with UN and KTN envoys. Sukarno also announced the plan of "emergency government" in Sumatra, in case something happens to Indonesian leaderships in Jogjakarta. Meanwhile 2,600 fully-armed Dutch troops (infantry and paratroopers) led by Colonel had gathered in Maguwo, ready to capture Jogjakarta. At the same day most of Jogjakarta fell into the Dutch. Indonesian President Sukarno, Vice-President Mohammad Hatta, and prime minister Sutan Sjahrir was seized by the Dutch and subsequently exiled at Bangka. They let themselves captured hoping it would outrage international support. Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX stayed at his palace in Jogja and did not leave during the entire occupation.
[edit] "Emergency Government" and Guerilla warfare
As planned before, emergency government was declared at 19 December. This was named Pemerintah Darurat Republik Indonesia (Indonesian: Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia), based on Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, led by Sjafruddin Prawiranegara. Sudirman radioed his immediate support for this government.
At 20 December, all remaining republican troops in Jogja had been withdrawn. All part of Indonesia except Aceh and some cantons in Sumatra fell into Dutch control. Sudirman, who was suffering from tubercolosis led guerilla from his sickbed. Then-Colonel A. H. Nasution, military commander of Java territories declared military government in Java, arranged a guerilla tactic Totaliter, transforming the whole of Java Island into a guerilla front. One famous implication of this tactic occurred to the Siliwangi Division. They had to march from Central Java to guerilla cantons established in West Java. This is often called Long March Siliwangi. After a tiresome long march, in West Java they had to fight both the Dutch and the rebellious DI/TII.
[edit] International reaction and ceasefire
This attack was known by the international communities. At 20 December, many newspapers including those in the United States condemned Dutch aggression on their editorials. Soon UN was involved and many countries enforced embargo and boycott against the Dutch. United States partially suspended Marshall plan aid to the Dutch. At 24 December, UN Security Council called for the end of hostilities. At 31 December Dutch announced ceasefire in Java and 5 January in Sumatra. However, the Dutch still controlled most of Indonesian territories and the guerilla continued. The hostilities eventually ended at 7 May (Roem-Royen Agreement).
