Battle of Kumai (Indonesian: Pertempuran Kumai) or also known locally as Battle of 14 January (Indonesian: Pertempuran 14 Januari) was a clash between Netherlands Indies Civil Administration and Royal Netherlands East Indies Army against Indonesian militias in town of Kumai, Central Kalimantan.[1] Indonesian militias, consisted of mostly pemuda (youths), newly formed Indonesian Army, and armed Islamic cleric militia; known as Barisan Ulama (Ulema Front) or Barisan Berjenggot (Bearded Front), confronted Dutch armed convoys that tried to land in the port.[1][2]
| Battle of Kumai | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Indonesian National Revolution | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Dutch East Indies |
 Indonesia | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 250 | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 50 killed | 21 killed | ||||||
The convoy with strength of around 250, was shot from harbour by militias before made a landing, preventing them to do so.[3] As the result, 50 Dutch soldiers died while 21 recorded also died from Republican side, and the convoy was diverted away from the town.[3]
The battle was reported by delegation of Indonesian nationalist from Borneo in militia commander meeting in Yogyakarta, 21 February 1946. From those delegations are from Laskar Kalimantan (lit: Kalimantan Troops) and also from Barisan Ulema.[3]
Legacy
editThe battle is commemorated every year by local government and locals from the town.[4] A road in the town is named Jalan Gerilya, means "Guerilla Street", commemorating the battle.[2][5] A monument, named Monumen Merah Putih (Red and White Monument) was built in the town with mural depicting soldiers on walls surrounding it.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Gunawan, Hendri (15 January 2019). "Peringati pertempuran 14 Januari 1946, berharap pengakuan pemerintah pusat". Antara News Kalteng. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ^ a b Hakim, Lukman (1 October 2021). "Jalan Gerilya, Saksi Bisu Perjuangan TKR di Kotawaringin Barat". kumparan (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ^ a b c Isnaeni, Hendri (2017-01-20). "Barisan Jenggot Berbahaya". Historia - Majalah Sejarah Populer Pertama di Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ^ Dzakwan, Sigit (17 January 2021). "Napak Tilas Pertempuran 14 Januari 1946, AMPP Kumai Tanam Mangrove". SINDOnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ^ "Kenang Jasa Pahlawan, Warga Kumai Peringati Hari Pertempuran". KaltengEkspres (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ^ "Sambut HUT Kemerdekaan RI ke-75, Dinas Dikbud Lakukan Perawatan Monumen Merah Putih". MMC Kobar. Retrieved 2021-10-22.