Supardjo
Encyclopedia
Supardjo was a Brigadier General in the Indonesian Army
. He was one of the leaders of the 30 September Movement
, a group that killed six of the army's top generals and launched a failed coup attempt on 30 September 1965.
Supardjo was regimental commander of the Siliwangi Division
which was stationed in West Java
. As a result of his pro-Communist sympathies and actions, he was sent to Kalimantan
, away from the centres of power on Java
, and took part in the Indonesian actions against British and Malaysian troops in Borneo (see Konfrontasi). Based at Menggaian in West Kalimantan
, he led the Fourth Combat Command of KOSTRAD
, the army's strategic reserve.
On 28 September 1965, he left his post without the knowledge of then KOSTRAD commander, Suharto (later President of Indonesia
). He had received a telegram from his wife stating that his child was sick. At Supardjo's trial in 1967, an ex-Communist official testified that the cable was code between Supardjo and Communist participating in the coup, and that the real reason for his return to Java was to help command the coup.
Some Supardjo's military colleagues reported he was resentful over his slow pace of promotion and may have had a grudge against army commander, General Yani, who was one of the 30 September Movement's principal victims. According to General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo
, commander of the fiercely anti-communist RPKAD para-commandos, Supardjo requested RPKAD reinforcements be sent to Kalimantan on 1 October. When Sarwo Edhie heard of the coup attempt, the sailing orders to Kalimantan were cancelled.
Indonesian Army
The Indonesian Army , the land component of the Indonesian Armed Forces, has an estimated strength of 328,517 regular personnel. The force's history began in 1945 when the Tentara Keamanan Rakyat "Civil Security Forces" served as paramilitary and police.Since the nation's independence struggle,...
. He was one of the leaders of the 30 September Movement
30 September Movement
The Thirtieth of September Movement ) was a self-proclaimed organization of Indonesian National Armed Forces members who, in the early hours of 1 October 1965, assassinated six Indonesian Army generals in an abortive coup d'état. Later that morning, the organization declared that it was in control...
, a group that killed six of the army's top generals and launched a failed coup attempt on 30 September 1965.
Supardjo was regimental commander of the Siliwangi Division
Siliwangi Division
The Siliwangi Division or KODAM VI/Siliwangi is the name of a formation of the Indonesian Army. The Division was formed during the Indonesian National Revolution by what was then known as the People's Security Army...
which was stationed in West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
. As a result of his pro-Communist sympathies and actions, he was sent to Kalimantan
Kalimantan
In English, the term Kalimantan refers to the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, while in Indonesian, the term "Kalimantan" refers to the whole island of Borneo....
, away from the centres of power on 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...
, and took part in the Indonesian actions against British and Malaysian troops in Borneo (see Konfrontasi). Based at Menggaian in West Kalimantan
West Kalimantan
West Kalimantan is a province of Indonesia. It is one of four Indonesian provinces in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. Its capital city Pontianak is located right on the Equator....
, he led the Fourth Combat Command of KOSTRAD
Kostrad
Kostrad is the Indonesian Army's Strategic Reserve Command. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops...
, the army's strategic reserve.
On 28 September 1965, he left his post without the knowledge of then KOSTRAD commander, Suharto (later President of Indonesia
President of Indonesia
The President of the Republic of Indonesia is the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Indonesia.The first president was Sukarno and the current president is Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.- Sukarno era :...
). He had received a telegram from his wife stating that his child was sick. At Supardjo's trial in 1967, an ex-Communist official testified that the cable was code between Supardjo and Communist participating in the coup, and that the real reason for his return to Java was to help command the coup.
Some Supardjo's military colleagues reported he was resentful over his slow pace of promotion and may have had a grudge against army commander, General Yani, who was one of the 30 September Movement's principal victims. According to General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo
Sarwo Edhie Wibowo
Sarwo Edhie Wibowo was one of Indonesia's most famous Generals.-Early life:Sarwo Edhie was born in Purworejo, Central Java to a family of civil servants working for the Dutch Colonial Government. As a child, he learned silat as a form of self-defense...
, commander of the fiercely anti-communist RPKAD para-commandos, Supardjo requested RPKAD reinforcements be sent to Kalimantan on 1 October. When Sarwo Edhie heard of the coup attempt, the sailing orders to Kalimantan were cancelled.