Physical Revolution After Dutch Military Aggression II in Lampung

After entering Tanjung Karang City - Betung Bay, Dutch troops continued to move to Tegineneng and headed west until Kemiling (the Bandar Lampung area bordered by Pesawaran now).

IPHEDIA - Around November and December 1948 or before 1949, situation and conditions in Lampung region were relatively calm after the Dutch Military Aggression II. This was due to fact that at that time it was still in an atmosphere of a ceasefire due to Renville Agreement. But, in fact it cannot be said that agreement results are satisfactory, so that it can guarantee an atmosphere of calm.

The Renville Agreement that has been made, among other things regarding demarcation line or also known as Van Mook Line, statusquo borders between Dutch power (KL-KNIL) and TNI who are still in Dutch occupation area (enclaves) must be issued or included in area RI.

This agreement was signed on January 17, 1948 aboard Renville ship. So that agreement was known as Renville Agreement. Agreement, each consisting of 10 articles of agreement on a ceasefire, 12 articles of political principles and 6 articles of additional principles from the KTN.

On January 1, 1949, around midnight (dawn), Indonesian Navy (ALRI) post in Kalianda reported movement a Dutch warship heading towards Betung Bay. Movement this ship, made ALRI troops swiftly to intercept. At 05.00 WIB, warship began to try to land ship in Panjang port. However, they have not had time to reach shoreline immediately received a scorched earth and fire from ground by ALRI unit.

Received resistance from land, Dutch warship then anchored near Condong Island. With their landing craft, Dutch troops landed on Mount Kunyit and Teluk Betung. About 6:00 a.m., they moved towards Tanjung Karang City. In Teluk Betung, Dutch troops went through 3 directions, namely through Golak-Kalan, Geruntang railroad and Teluk Betung - Tanjung Karang highway.

With 2 aircraft protected from air, Dutch troops continued to move forward. Landing was accompanied by aircraft metraliur fire and cannon fire from his warship. This naval battle was first experience of ALRI forces fighting in sea.

With unbalanced weaponry, troops are ordered to retreat from battlefield while doing scorched earth. Various important facilities burned down. Next, they were ordered to gather at Km 21, Gedong Tataan, which was determined as emergency headquarters of ALRI forces.

After entering Tanjung Karang City - Betung Bay, Dutch troops continued to move to Tegineneng (Pesawaran area that borders South Lampung, Central Lampung and Metro City now) and headed west until Kemiling (Bandar Lampung area bordered by Pesawaran now). Dutch troops in Tegineneng then stopped at Mandah Village.

Dutch movement into the Lampung region threatened sovereignty Republic of Indonesia. At 10:00 a.m., Battalion Car Battalion Command, Captain Nurdin, communicated other troops by calling from Natar to Kotabumi to Captain Ahmad Ibrahim. That is, so Abdulhak's troops returned to Tegineneng area by train to survive around egineneng bridge.

On a cold night, in pouring rain at 19.30 WIB, Young Lieutenant Masno Asmono along with several members Supomo troops used head train (locomotive) from Rengas bus stop heading straight to Tegineneng. However, just arrived at end Way Sekampung bridge, they were greeted with Dutch fire.

Masno Asmono and a member of Supomo's troops who had just arrived from Rengas (now a village in Bumiratu Nuban Subdistrict, Central Lampung), when they received a less friendly response, they immediately resisted. In a short time a shootout took place between two sides. Each of them took position to attack and shoot each other. The silence  night split with gunfire.

Young Lieutenant Masno Asmono and his friends held a fight while sheltering behind iron bridge. However, because Dutch fire was very intense accompanied by mortar fire, troops which only numbered a few people finally chose to retreat while returning to Rengas.

Realizing this situation and conditions, that night the STL Commander Lieutenant Colonel Syamaun Gaharu, his staff members along with several civil administration officials in Lampung Residency were already in Gedong Tataan. Families of military and civilian officials who fled were eventually accommodated in Kyai Haji Gholib housing complex in Pringsewu.

On January 5, 1949, Abdulhak's army minus Lieutenant Bursyah Section I who was in Pakoan Ratu headed for Kemiling. Force consisted two sections, namely Young Lieutenant section Sahlan and section Young Lieutenant, Thanksgiving. Because northern and eastern regions defense were assigned to First Lieutenant Endro Suratmin and First Lieutenant Supomo, Abdulhak's troops walked to Gedong Tataan through "umbulan" road.

Abdulhak's forces, assigned by STL commander, served on southern front as a protective force for STL staff and Lampung Residency emergency government. From Kemiling to Gedong Tataan, bridges were cut off and barricades of trees were knocked down to middle road to block enemy's movements.

A truce between Republic of Indonesia and Dutch army was announced in August 1949. For negotiations with the Dutch, TNI officers were appointed as liaison officers from ALRI, including Captain C. Souhoka, Lieutenant I Hotma Harahap and Second Lieutenant J. Samuel Muda.

In January 1950, all ALRI troops entered city. Based on MBAL radiogram in Jakarta, it was instructed that all ALRI personnel from all bases in Sumatra be drawn to Jakarta to take part in Selection Board. Unfortunately, due to family interests, war was over and so many ALRI personnel resigned back to community.

On 29 April 1950 at 21.00 West Indonesia Time, ALRI troops came from Lampung with news of their victory leaving for Jakarta. The troops were transported by warships that still used name KM YS Vogel. Since then, ALRI Pangkalan IA Lampung has been withdrawn from Lampung.

In 1976, after physical revolution in Lampung, former members ALRI Lampung Base IA with guidance Major Sea Syairudin Said, and Sional Panjang, with assistance local community succeeded in building a monument in Inner City. Although monument was built modestly, it is a memento devotion and sacrifice warriors who died there. Monument was inaugurated on June 26, 1976 by KASAL accompanied by governor of Lampung. (US)

Source: Book "Regency of Pesawaran in Historical String", Author: Akhmad Sadad, Publisher: Regional Government of Pesawaran District, 2010-2011.