The Dutch–Indonesian War 1945–49

Armies of the Indonesian War of Independence

The Dutch–Indonesian War 1945–49 cover

The Dutch–Indonesian War 1945–49

Armies of the Indonesian War of Independence

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Description

Highly detailed and colourful, this account illustrates the struggle of Indonesian forces in their War of Independence against the Netherlands, following the surrender of occupying Japanese forces in 1945.

Following on from MAA 521 Royal Netherlands East Indies Army 1936–42 and completing the coverage of the post-World War II wars of decolonization, The Dutch–Indonesian War 1945–49 describes the Japanese surrender in September 1945 which left a power vacuum in the colonial Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). Using vivid colour illustrations and rare photos, this title depicts the various forces involved in the struggle for Indonesia: the British Indian Army troops sent to key areas to disarm Japanese garrisons, the Indonesian nationalists who immediately proclaimed an independent Republic, remaining Japanese troops, and the Dutch forces which arrived in 1946.

The wide dispersion of populations, and their ethnic, religious and political differences ensured that the struggle which followed was complex. Fragmented bands of nationalist permuda insurgents were slowly brought together under command of a republican army (the BKR, later TKR, and finally the TNI, complete with naval and air elements), but stubborn negotiations alternated with bouts of major fighting.

This book details how the nationalists were defeated by Dutch and Dutch-led local forces in urban areas (e.g. during Operations Product and Crow, 1947 and 1948), but how their guerrillas evaded Dutch troops in the jungle hills and swamps. Illustrating a wide range of uniforms, insignia, personal weapons and equipment, this study showcases the troops and armour involved in the conflict.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
Summary – Chronology – Revolution
FOREIGN FORCES, 1945–46
Japanese army of occupation – Police and auxiliary forces –
After capitulation
British Indian Army
DUTCH RECOLONIZATION
Political strategy – Civil administration – Police
INDONESIAN FORCES
Successive reorganizations – Divided character – Equipment
and training – Strength – Air Force and Navy – TNI order of
battle, June 1947 – Laskar non-state armed groups
DUTCH FORCES
Organization – Formations – Strengths
Koninklijk Netherlands-Indisch Leger (KNIL): Organization
– Composition – Militaire Luchtvaart (ML- KNIL)
Koninklijke Landmacht (KL): Composition – Battalion
organization – Equipment – Militaire Luchtvaart (ML)
Koninklijke Marine (KM): Marine Brigade – Marine
Luchtvaart Afdeling (MLD)
THE COURSE OF THE WAR
Dutch strategy – The Bersiap, 1945 – Battle for the cities,
1945–46 – Outer Regions, 1945–46 – The enclaves and
ceasefire, 1946–47
Operation 'Product', 1947 – Dutch order of battle, July 1947
TNI evacuations – Pacification, 1947–48
Operation 'Crow', 1948–49 – Guerrilla warfare, 1948–49 –
The end, 1949–50
FURTHER READING
PLATE COMMENTARIES
INDEX

Product details

Published 22 Jun 2023
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472854742
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 8 colour artwork plates; black & white photographs and illustrations.
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series General Military
Short code GNM
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Marc Lohnstein

MARC LOHNSTEIN holds an MA in History and his main…

Illustrator

Adam Hook

Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his wo…

Resources

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