East Indies Crisis: Difference between revisions

From Roses, Tulips, & Liberty
Content added Content deleted
VisualWikitext
(move withdrawal lore to main page)
(Added links to new pages, fixed spelling errors, redid introductory paragraph, changed Malay language phrases to Indonesian, added new Soendanese figures.)
Line 2: Line 2:
| conflict = East Indies Crisis
| conflict = East Indies Crisis
| image = [[File:East_Indies_Crisis.png|300 px]]
| image = [[File:East_Indies_Crisis.png|300 px]]
| caption = Two Dutch soldiers in Malaya watching the Krijgspeerd helicopters come in after a battle.
| caption = Two Dutch soldiers in Malaya watching Krijgspeerd helicopters fly in in the aftermath of a battle.
| partof = the [[Silent War]]
| partof = the [[Silent War]]
| date = 3 February 1960 – 22:03 11 November <span style="color: transparent;text-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);-webkit-touch-callout: none;-webkit-user-select: none;-khtml-user-select: none;-moz-user-select: none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select: none;">1976</span>
| date = 3 February 1960 – 22:03 11 November <span style="color: transparent;text-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);-webkit-touch-callout: none;-webkit-user-select: none;-khtml-user-select: none;-moz-user-select: none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select: none;">1976</span>
| place = Insular Southeast Asia
| place = Indonesia
| result = * <span style="color: transparent;text-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);-webkit-touch-callout: none;-webkit-user-select: none;-khtml-user-select: none;-moz-user-select: none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select: none;">Withrawal of the Dutch and formal end of the East Indies (1610-1976)</span>
| result = * <span style="color: transparent;text-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);-webkit-touch-callout: none;-webkit-user-select: none;-khtml-user-select: none;-moz-user-select: none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select: none;">Withrawal of the Dutch and formal end of the East Indies (1610-1976)</span>
* <span style="color: transparent;text-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);-webkit-touch-callout: none;-webkit-user-select: none;-khtml-user-select: none;-moz-user-select: none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select: none;">Independence of Soenda and Pinang</span>
* <span style="color: transparent;text-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);-webkit-touch-callout: none;-webkit-user-select: none;-khtml-user-select: none;-moz-user-select: none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select: none;">Independence of Soenda and Pinang</span>
* <span style="color: transparent;text-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);-webkit-touch-callout: none;-webkit-user-select: none;-khtml-user-select: none;-moz-user-select: none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select: none;">Refugee crisis</span>
* <span style="color: transparent;text-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);-webkit-touch-callout: none;-webkit-user-select: none;-khtml-user-select: none;-moz-user-select: none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select: none;">Refugee crisis</span>
| combatant1 = {{flagdeco|NED}} [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]]<br/>
| combatant1 = {{flagdeco|NED}} [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]]<br/>
'''Supported by:'''<br />{{flagdeco|GBR}}[[Britain]]<br />{{flagdeco|PHP}}[[Philippines]]
'''Supported by:'''<br />{{flagdeco|GBR}} [[Britain]]<br />{{flagdeco|PHP}} [[Philippines]]
| combatant2 = [[Soendanese Liberation Front]]<br />{{flagdeco|THT}} [[Thaitania]]<br/>
| combatant2 = [[PKKN]] <br> [[Soendanese Liberation Army]] <br> {{flagdeco|THT}} [[Thaitania]]<br/>
'''Supported by:'''<br />{{flagdeco|RUS}} [[Russia]]
'''Supported by:'''<br />{{flagdeco|RUS}} [[Russia]]
| commander1 = Cornelis van Langen </br> Willem Middendorp
| commander1 = [[Cornelis van Langen]] </br> [[Willem Middendorp]] <br> [[Koen Haverman]]
| commander2 = Soedjojo Soesanto </br> Soerjadi Nazir </br> Kasan Said Narajau </br> Junaid Siahaija </br> Pieter-Bas Teterissa </br> Bassil Patawala
| commander2 = [[Soedjojo Hok]] </br> [[Andries Peta Taba]] </br> [[Kasan Said Narajau]] </br> Djoeneid Siahaija </br> Pieter-Bas Teterissa </br> Bassil Patawala
| strength1 = {{flagdeco|NED}} '''Netherlands''' <br> 3,581,929 Total number deployed in the East Indies
| strength1 = {{flagdeco|NED}} '''Netherlands''' <br> 3,581,929 <small>(total number deployed)</small>
| strength2 = 1960-1967: 2,400,000 (estimated) <br>
| strength2 = 1960-1967: 2,400,000 <small>(estimated)</small> <br> 1967-1973: 5,000,000 <small>(estimated)</small> <br> 1973-1976: Unknown
⚫
| casualties1 = '''Killed:''' 294,918 <br> '''Missing:''' 149,582 <br> '''Total Casualties''' 444,500
1967-1973: 5,000,000 (estimated) <br>
⚫
| casualties2 = '''Civilian dead:''' 8,000,000–11,000,000 <small>(estimated)</small> <br> ~5,205,000 wounded <small>(estimated)</small> <br>'''Military dead:''' 1,690,624 <br> '''Total Casualties''' 9,391,694–11,895,624
1973-1976: Unkown
⚫
| casualties1 = '''Killed:''' 294,918 <br> '''Missing:''' 149,582 <br> '''Total Casualties''' 444,500
⚫
| casualties2 = '''Civilian dead:''' 8,000,000-11,000,000 (official)<br> ~5,205,000 wounded (Estimated) <br>'''Military dead:''' 1,690,624 <br> '''Total Casualties''' 9,391,694 - 11,895,624
}}
}}


The '''East Indies Crisis''' (Malay Roman: ''Prang Hindia Belanda''), also known as the '''War of the Soenda Archipelago''' or the '''Anti-Dutch Liberation War''', and also known as the '''Indian War''' in the Netherlands (Dutch: ''Indische Oorlog'') was a military conflict fought between the [[Netherlands]] and pro-independence forces in [[Soenda]]. The conflict lasted sixteen years, making it the largest largest colonial conflict fought in the 20th century, and is also considered to be one of the most destructive wars in modern history. The East Indies Crisis was also concurrent with the rise of popular visual media, being the first "''internationally perceptible"'' war.
The '''East Indies Crisis''' ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: ''Indische Oorlog''), from 1976 commonly known as the '''War of Soendanese Independence''' ([[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]: ''Cwang Kemerdekaan Sunda''), was a military conflict chiefly fought between the [[Netherlands]] and various pro-independence parties in modern [[Soenda]] under the umbrella of the [[PKKN]] and its military arm, the [[Soendanese Liberation Army]]. Lasting sixteen years, it is the longest-lasting of the colonial conflicts fought in the 20th century and is considered one of the most destructive wars in history. The Crisis occurred alongside the rise of popular visual media throughout the world, becoming the first 'internationally perceptible' war (from a [[French language|French]] media phrase '<nowiki/>''perceptible dans le monde entier''').


==Background ==
==Background and origins ==


The Dutch East Indies found itself under a period of intensified turmoil following the aftermath of the [[Great War|Great War (1935-1939)]]. The [[Netherlands]], having experienced economic and industrial exhaustion as a result, relied heavily on its East Indies colony for the extraction of raw natural resources. This dependency caused an increasing strain on the region, leading to a series of sweeping reforms and elevated colonial pressures to exploit the colony.
The Dutch East Indies found itself under a period of intensified turmoil following the aftermath of the [[Great War|Great War (1935-1939)]]. The [[Netherlands]], having experienced economic and industrial exhaustion as a result, relied heavily on its East Indies colony for the extraction of raw natural resources. This dependency caused an increasing strain on the region, leading to a series of sweeping reforms and elevated colonial pressures to exploit the colony.
Line 45: Line 43:
Over the next two years (1958-1960), the PKKN rapidly grew in size and influence. This period was characterized by escalating tensions between the PKKN and the Dutch East Indies authorities.
Over the next two years (1958-1960), the PKKN rapidly grew in size and influence. This period was characterized by escalating tensions between the PKKN and the Dutch East Indies authorities.


==Onset of the rebellion==
==Onset of the Rebellion==


==== 1960 Soematra General Strike ====
==== 1960 Soematra General Strike ====
Line 69: Line 67:
On February 1st, 1962, the States-General of the Netherlands authorized the deployment of 120,000 Dutch soldiers to Soenda, with the mission of assisting the KNIL in suppressing the rebellions and restoring Dutch authority over the archipelago. Throughout the year, Dutch forces appeared to be making progress, successfully crushing revolts on various islands and reclaiming control over central Soematra. This process followed a conventional colonial campaign strategy, focusing on securing major population centers before expanding further. Unbeknownst to the Dutch forces, however, the Soendanese Liberation Army (SLA) continued to grow its ranks by recruiting from the countryside, which remained beyond Dutch control but was still perceived as conquerable.
On February 1st, 1962, the States-General of the Netherlands authorized the deployment of 120,000 Dutch soldiers to Soenda, with the mission of assisting the KNIL in suppressing the rebellions and restoring Dutch authority over the archipelago. Throughout the year, Dutch forces appeared to be making progress, successfully crushing revolts on various islands and reclaiming control over central Soematra. This process followed a conventional colonial campaign strategy, focusing on securing major population centers before expanding further. Unbeknownst to the Dutch forces, however, the Soendanese Liberation Army (SLA) continued to grow its ranks by recruiting from the countryside, which remained beyond Dutch control but was still perceived as conquerable.


== Phase of Fire (1963-1967) ==
== Phase of Fire: 1963–1967 ==


=== New Year Offensive (1963) ===
=== New Year Offensive (1963) ===
Line 104: Line 102:
The operation saw the most intense air-to-ground battles from 1966-1967. This campaign was exceptionally challenging due to the scattered distribution of enemies across various islands, equipped with a mix of Russian fighter interceptors and advanced air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons. This allowed the SLA to create a highly effective air defense network. However, by the end of the operation, this air defense network had been significantly weakened, and in certain areas, completely dismantled.
The operation saw the most intense air-to-ground battles from 1966-1967. This campaign was exceptionally challenging due to the scattered distribution of enemies across various islands, equipped with a mix of Russian fighter interceptors and advanced air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons. This allowed the SLA to create a highly effective air defense network. However, by the end of the operation, this air defense network had been significantly weakened, and in certain areas, completely dismantled.


== Stalemate (1966-1972) ==
== Stalemate: 1966–1972 ==
The following six years were characterized by a persistent pattern of small-scale jungle warfare, with intermittent periods of high-intensity military operations undertaken by both Dutch and Soendanese forces. During this period, the Netherlands maintained control over significant portions of southern Soematra, the coastal parts of the Malay peninsula, Java, and most urban centers within these regions. The contested areas were primarily Borneo and Celebes, where control of urban centers was fiercely disputed.
The following six years were characterized by a persistent pattern of small-scale jungle warfare, with intermittent periods of high-intensity military operations undertaken by both Dutch and Soendanese forces. During this period, the Netherlands maintained control over significant portions of southern Soematra, the coastal parts of the Malay peninsula, Java, and most urban centers within these regions. The contested areas were primarily Borneo and Celebes, where control of urban centers was fiercely disputed.
[[File:EIC 1970.png|left|thumb|439x439px|Stalemate by 1970]]
[[File:EIC 1970.png|left|thumb|439x439px|Stalemate by 1970]]
Line 114: Line 112:
The SLA also used the period of relative calm to infiltrate Java, which was the stronghold of Dutch colonial control. During the stalemate, Java saw strikes, acts of terrorism, and small-scale uprisings, all of which were ultimately suppressed.
The SLA also used the period of relative calm to infiltrate Java, which was the stronghold of Dutch colonial control. During the stalemate, Java saw strikes, acts of terrorism, and small-scale uprisings, all of which were ultimately suppressed.


== Phase II: The ''Bloodening'' (1972-1976) ==
== Phase II, The ''Bloodening:'' 1972–1976 ==
By 1972, Dutch forces were strategically dispersed throughout the Soenda archipelago. Java accommodated around 83,000 KNIL and regular Dutch soldiers, while 70,000 Dutch soldiers were stationed and actively engaged on Borneo. In Celebes, a contingent of approximately 90,000 soldiers was still embroiled in guerilla warfare. Moreover, about 120,000 troops were stationed in Soematra, and another 100,000 personnel were positioned in the Malayan peninsula, spanning Djohor and Penang. The Dutch military presence also extended to the naval and air forces, comprising 73,000 naval personnel and 120,000 air force personnel stationed across the entire archipelago.
By 1972, Dutch forces were strategically dispersed throughout the Soenda archipelago. Java accommodated around 83,000 KNIL and regular Dutch soldiers, while 70,000 Dutch soldiers were stationed and actively engaged on Borneo. In Celebes, a contingent of approximately 90,000 soldiers was still embroiled in guerilla warfare. Moreover, about 120,000 troops were stationed in Soematra, and another 100,000 personnel were positioned in the Malayan peninsula, spanning Djohor and Penang. The Dutch military presence also extended to the naval and air forces, comprising 73,000 naval personnel and 120,000 air force personnel stationed across the entire archipelago.


Retrieved from "https://wiki.rosestulipsandliberty.com/wiki/East_Indies_Crisis"