Bersiap
Encyclopedia
Bersiap is the name given by the Dutch to a violent and chaotic phase of Indonesia's revolutionary period following the end of World War II. The Indonesian word bersiap means 'get ready' or 'be prepared'. The Bersiap period lasted from August 1945 to December 1946.
It is a specific period starting with revolutionary violence occurring during the increasing power vacuum left by the retreating Japanese occupational forces and the gradual build up of a British military presence, but before the official handover to a Dutch military presence.
The period ends with the departure of the British military in 1946, by which time the Dutch had rebuilt their military capacity. Meanwhile also the Indonesian revolutionary fighters were well into the process of forming a formal military structure.
populations.
Several phases are distinguished during the Bersiap period, each with different levels of violence and chaos. October–November 1945 is considered the most aggressive one with the Battle of Surabaya
as its heaviest single battle.
The Bersiap can be roughly divided into four phases and is mostly situated on the island of Java
.
and Semarang
Japanese forces intervene to regain control. In Surabaya
and Malang
Indonesian forces are able to disarm the Japanese military. European and Indo-European men and boys are locked up, soon followed by the women and girls. Travel for the perceived anti-revolutionary population (Christian Indonesian, Chinese Indonesian, European and Indo-European people) becomes impossible. The British armed forces try to obtain control, but encounter heavy resistance particularly in the middle of Java. Surabaya is the scene of bitter fighting.
and throughout Java
regular violence continues up to march 1946. Indonesian commanders put much effort in organising the many irregular fighting units and consolidate their forces on Java. Heavy pressure from the British compels the Dutch politicians to commence negotiations with the Republican leadership.
Indonesian forces start evacuating the Japanese military forces and European and Indo-European civilian prisoners. March 1946 regular Dutch troops start entering the country. July 1946 the Japanese army was finally evacuated and the British troops were all withdrawn by the end of the year, leaving the Dutch military in charge and de facto ending the Bersiap period. The country was now divided into Republican and Dutch controlled areas.
The violence and warfare continued, but now between two clear parties: the Dutch army and the Indonesian army.
One of the catalysts driving the atrocities committed by Indonesian Pemuda against the native Indo-European civilian population was the inciteful Republican propaganda
. The Republican military declaration of total war (14 October 1945) states: "When the sun sets, we the Indonesian people are in war with the Dutch." The declaration then continues with clearly targeting civilian groups: "With this declaration we order all Indonesians to find their own enemy – Dutch, Indo or Ambonese." In his speeches the radical revolutionary leader Sutomo specifically aims at the Indo population, verbally reducing them to bloodhounds.
Soon in the streets of Batavia the walls showed explicit slogans: "Death to the Ambonese and Indos!" Leaders such as Sukarno
and Sjahrir
attempted to call for calm, and even groomed the Indo population to join the revolution, but were unable to prevent the atrocities. The small town of Depok
, pre-dominantly occupied by native Christian (indigenous and Indo) people, was one of the first places to be destroyed. Many of its inhabitants were tortured and killed by the Pemuda.
and Nasution began to hastily build a formal military structure and develop an Indonesian military strategy. In his book about the founding doctrines of Indonesia's Army general Nasution, who became Indonesia's formost military intelectual, reflects on this strategy as follows:
' was erected to commemorate the victims of both the Japanese occupation
and Indonesian National Revolution
in The Hague
, Netherlands
.
It is a specific period starting with revolutionary violence occurring during the increasing power vacuum left by the retreating Japanese occupational forces and the gradual build up of a British military presence, but before the official handover to a Dutch military presence.
The period ends with the departure of the British military in 1946, by which time the Dutch had rebuilt their military capacity. Meanwhile also the Indonesian revolutionary fighters were well into the process of forming a formal military structure.
Phases
As off the unilateral declaration of Indonesia's independence in August 1945 young Indonesian revolutionary fighters (Indonesian: Pemuda) violently opposed both the Japanese and British armies. They also opposed European civilians returning from their imprisonment by the Japanese, as well as all perceived pro-Dutch populations, which include the Indo-European (Eurasian) and Indo ChineseChinese Indonesian
Chinese Indonesians, also called the Indonesian Chinese, are an overseas Chinese group whose ancestors emigrated from China to Indonesia, formerly a colony of the Netherlands known as the Dutch East Indies...
populations.
Several phases are distinguished during the Bersiap period, each with different levels of violence and chaos. October–November 1945 is considered the most aggressive one with the Battle of Surabaya
Battle of Surabaya
The Battle of Surabaya was fought between pro-independence Indonesian soldiers and militia against British and Dutch troops as a part of the Indonesian National Revolution. The peak of the battle was in November 1945. Despite fierce resistance, British and Indian troops managed to conquer Surabaya,...
as its heaviest single battle.
The Bersiap can be roughly divided into four phases and is mostly situated on the island of Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
.
Phase 1
The first phase started immediately after the unilateral declaration of Indonesian independence and before the arrival of the British armed forces. Even though the declaration was made under strong arm pressure of the so called 'Pemuda', this short phase was the least violent one of the Bersiap. The Japanese were either supportive or indifferent to the Indonesian independence movement, but were under clear orders to remain neutral and protect the former European inmates in their concentration camps. Indonesian independence leaders were taking over key positions from the Japanese. The trains were still riding and some of the former Dutch and Indo prisoners were out looking for their families and property.Phase 2
In the second phase of the Bersiap (15 Sep – 14 Oct 1945) de-centralised local Pemuda groups started to organise and obtain weapons. The first Japanese soldiers were molested and the attitude against Dutch and Indo civilians became hostile. Indonesian propaganda also became aggressive. Fights between young Pemuda and young Indos start, resulting in a food boycot of Indos (October 5), which in turn resulted into more violent fights. In October razzias commence and Indo males were arrested and killed. Atrocities committed by revolutionary forces against Indo-Europeans begin. By the end of September the first British (Indian) troops started to arrive. The British tried to remain neutral and seek cooperation with the Republican leadership. Also the Japanese military tried not to get involved and only reacted when provoked.Phase 3
The third phase (middle of October to the end of November 1945) is considered the most violent one. In BandungBandung
Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area in Indonesia, with a population of 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 metres above sea level, approximately 140 km southeast of Jakarta, Bandung has cooler...
and Semarang
Semarang
- Economy :The western part of the city is home to many industrial parks and factories. The port of Semarang is located on the north coast and it is the main shipping port for the province of Central Java. Many small manufacturers are located in Semarang, producing goods such as textiles,...
Japanese forces intervene to regain control. In Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
and Malang
Malang
Malang is the second largest city in East Java province, Indonesia. It has an ancient history dating back to the Mataram Kingdom. The city population at the 2010 Census was 819,708. During the period of Dutch colonization, it was a popular destination for European residents. The city is famous for...
Indonesian forces are able to disarm the Japanese military. European and Indo-European men and boys are locked up, soon followed by the women and girls. Travel for the perceived anti-revolutionary population (Christian Indonesian, Chinese Indonesian, European and Indo-European people) becomes impossible. The British armed forces try to obtain control, but encounter heavy resistance particularly in the middle of Java. Surabaya is the scene of bitter fighting.
Phase 4
The fourth phase (December 1945 to December 1946) is considered the aftermath of the heaviest Bersiap fighting. Although in Batavia, BandungBandung
Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area in Indonesia, with a population of 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 metres above sea level, approximately 140 km southeast of Jakarta, Bandung has cooler...
and throughout Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
regular violence continues up to march 1946. Indonesian commanders put much effort in organising the many irregular fighting units and consolidate their forces on Java. Heavy pressure from the British compels the Dutch politicians to commence negotiations with the Republican leadership.
Indonesian forces start evacuating the Japanese military forces and European and Indo-European civilian prisoners. March 1946 regular Dutch troops start entering the country. July 1946 the Japanese army was finally evacuated and the British troops were all withdrawn by the end of the year, leaving the Dutch military in charge and de facto ending the Bersiap period. The country was now divided into Republican and Dutch controlled areas.
The violence and warfare continued, but now between two clear parties: the Dutch army and the Indonesian army.
Post Bersiap period
Because the Indonesian military leadership is able to control and organise the militant revolutionary forces, the Indonesian political leadership retain overall authority and political leverage in the international arena. The civilian evacuation of Europeans and Indo-Europeans continues until the middle of the next year (May 1947) and renewed hostility and warfare during the continued struggle for Indonesian independence lasts until under heavy political pressure of the US and UN the Dutch formally recognise the young state three years after the Bersiap (December 1949).Propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
. The Republican military declaration of total war (14 October 1945) states: "When the sun sets, we the Indonesian people are in war with the Dutch." The declaration then continues with clearly targeting civilian groups: "With this declaration we order all Indonesians to find their own enemy – Dutch, Indo or Ambonese." In his speeches the radical revolutionary leader Sutomo specifically aims at the Indo population, verbally reducing them to bloodhounds.
"Torture them to death, destroy those bloodhounds of colonialism to the root. […] The immortal spirits of your ancestors demand of you: revenge, bloody revenge!" , Sutomo, Jogjakarta, 24 November 1945.
Soon in the streets of Batavia the walls showed explicit slogans: "Death to the Ambonese and Indos!" Leaders such as Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
and Sjahrir
Sutan Sjahrir
Sutan Sjahrir , an avant garde and idealistic Indonesian intellectual, was a revolutionary independence leader...
attempted to call for calm, and even groomed the Indo population to join the revolution, but were unable to prevent the atrocities. The small town of Depok
Depok
Depok is a city in West Java province, Indonesia on the western border of DKI Jakarta in the Jabodetabek metropolitan region. The "de" in Jabodetabek refers to Depok, while the word "depok" itself comes from Sundanese language meaning hermitage or abode of one living in seclusion.It has an area of...
, pre-dominantly occupied by native Christian (indigenous and Indo) people, was one of the first places to be destroyed. Many of its inhabitants were tortured and killed by the Pemuda.
Republican military strategy
At first republican propaganda such as radio speeches and mass rallys were the main tools to influence and mobilise the revolutionary masses. Indonesian military leadership was yet to establish a military agenda and had little control over the many autonomous revolutionary forces. During the Bersiap Indonesian leaders such as generals SudirmanSudirman
General Sudirman was the first military commander of Indonesian forces during the country's fight for independence from the Dutch in the 1940s.-Life:...
and Nasution began to hastily build a formal military structure and develop an Indonesian military strategy. In his book about the founding doctrines of Indonesia's Army general Nasution, who became Indonesia's formost military intelectual, reflects on this strategy as follows:
“Guerrilla war is indeed destructive in nature, not only materially because it uses sabotage and scorched earth, but also what is more, it causes psychological, political and social damage. A guerrilla fighter is bred on a spirit of destruction and is not easily repatriated into the community as an ordinary citizen. The spirit of revolution, of guerrilla warfare and of scorched earth is aimed at destroying the whole existing religious, legal, socio-economic order which forms the organisation of the dominating power. How can the guerrilla accept again a legal, political and socio-economic situation since to him it has the taint of the old system? Many nations and countries continue to be chaotic years and decades after a guerrilla war overturns and rubs out the ethical, legal standards which are normally found in a society. Burning, sabotage, killing and kidnapping at the expense of the enemy have a heroic value. To have participated in guerrilla activities makes it difficult for one to adapt oneself to an ordered society, a society based on law.” Abdul Haris NasutionAbdul Haris NasutionIn this Indonesian name, the name "Nasution" is a family name, and the person should be referred to by the family name "Nasution".Abdul Haris Nasution was an Indonesian general who was twice appointed Army Chief of Staff and who escaped an assassination attempt during the...
in 'Fundamentals of Guerrilla Warfare', 1953.
Casualties
The death toll of the Bersiap period runs into the tens of thousands. The bodies of 3,600 Indo-Europeans have been identified as killed. However more than 20,000 registered Indo-European civilians were abducted and never returned. The Indonesian revolutionaries lost at least 20,000, often young, fighting men. The Japanese forces lost around 1,000 soldiers and the British forces registered 660 soldiers, mostly British Indians, as killed (with a similar number missing in action). The actual Dutch military were hardly involved, as they only started to return to Indonesia in March and April 1946.Research
Few Dutch or Indonesian historians have done holistic studies about this specific phenomenon of the Indonesian national revolution. Dutch historians mostly focus on particular locations and incidents and Indonesian historians mostly focus on the heroic aspects of the revolution. Witness reports from Indo (Eurasian) people mostly focus on the atrocities experienced. Japanese historians show very little interest all together in this part of the World War II aftermath. The most holistic studies encompassing all these elements have in fact been performed by American and English historians.Commemoration
In 1988 a national 'Indies MonumentIndies Monument
The ‘Indies Monument’ is a memorial in The Hague in memory of all Dutch citizens and soldiers killed during the Second World War as victims of the Japanese occupation and Bersiap in the former Dutch East Indies. It is dedicated to all who died in battle, in prison camps or during forced labor...
' was erected to commemorate the victims of both the Japanese occupation
Japanese Occupation of Indonesia
The Japanese Empire occupied Indonesia, known then as the Dutch East Indies, during World War II from March 1942 until after the end of War in 1945...
and Indonesian National Revolution
Indonesian National Revolution
The Indonesian National Revolution or Indonesian War of Independence was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between Indonesia and the Dutch Empire, and an internal social revolution...
in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
External links
- http://www.semarang.nl/bersiap/en/index.html Bersiap in SemarangSemarang- Economy :The western part of the city is home to many industrial parks and factories. The port of Semarang is located on the north coast and it is the main shipping port for the province of Central Java. Many small manufacturers are located in Semarang, producing goods such as textiles,...
.] - Official NIOD (Dutch Institute for War Documentation) website.
- Official SJV (Foundation for victims of the Japanese concentration camps) website. Includes accounts of the Bersiap period http://www.svjappenkamp.nl/nieuws/jack-boer.html. Camp Children Website. Bersiap Chapter. Retrieved 06 aug 2011. Java Post Website. Bersiap related articles. Retrieved 06 aug 2011.