The Bandung Sea of Fire: History, Key Figures, and Chronology
The Bandung Sea of Fire was a significant historical event during Indonesia’s independence struggle, where the people of Bandung intentionally set the southern part of the city ablaze before leaving it. This momentous event occurred on March 24, 1946. But why did it happen, and who were the key figures involved? Here’s the full history of the Bandung Sea of Fire.
Background of the Bandung Sea of Fire
After Indonesia proclaimed independence on August 17, 1945, battles continued across several regions due to the arrival of Allied Forces Netherlands East Indies (AFNEI). When the Allies ordered the people to disarm and evacuate Bandung, they refused to comply, instead attacking Allied posts around the city.
By March 1946, Bandung was divided into two regions. The Allies controlled the northern part, while the southern part was under the Indonesian National Army (TRI). On March 22, 1946, the Supreme Commander of AFNEI in Jakarta, Lieutenant General Montagu Stopford, issued another ultimatum. Delivered to Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir, the ultimatum demanded Indonesian military forces withdraw from southern Bandung to a radius of 11 kilometers from the city center.
The next day, the Allies declared that only civilians, police, and the civil government could remain in the city, with a deadline set for midnight on March 24, 1946. The Indonesian government in Jakarta approved the ultimatum, while the headquarters in Yogyakarta ordered TRI to defend every inch of Bandung.
Although TRI and the people of Bandung complied with the withdrawal, they burned the city to the ground to prevent the enemy from using it as a military base.
Key Figures in the Bandung Sea of Fire
- Major Rukana
Major Rukana, commander of the military police in Bandung, was the leader and originator of the idea to burn the city. During a meeting on March 23, he proposed that Bandung be turned into a “sea of fire” to prevent its use by Allied forces. - Colonel AH Nasution
Colonel AH Nasution, then commander of TRI’s Division III, ordered the people to evacuate to southern Bandung. He also oversaw the implementation of the scorched-earth operation. - Muhammad Toha and Muhammad Ramdan
These two TRI members carried out bombings on Allied ammunition depots, significantly aiding the scorched-earth efforts.
Chronology of the Bandung Sea of Fire
- March 24, 1946:
TRI and the people of Bandung began evacuating the southern part of the city. As the evening progressed, waves of evacuees grew.
Initially, TRI planned a total burning of the city at midnight, but the plan went awry when the first dynamite exploded at 8:00 PM in the Inside Restaurant building near the square (now BRI Tower).
The scorched-earth movement had already begun the previous night, on March 23. In a short time, houses and buildings across Bandung were engulfed in flames. - As TRI withdrew, they launched an attack on northern Bandung as a symbolic farewell. This action was accompanied by flames stretching 12 kilometers from east to west, illuminating the night sky.
- The city burned like a sea of fire, earning the event its name, Bandung Lautan Api (Bandung Sea of Fire).
Significance of the Bandung Sea of Fire
This heroic act demonstrated Indonesia’s determination to defend its dignity. While the ultimatum to evacuate was obeyed, the people refused to bow to foreign forces. By burning their city, they ensured it could not be used as a base by the Allies.
The exact number of people affected remains unknown, but estimates from local sources and historians in the United States and Britain suggest between 200,000 and 500,000 people were evacuated, with half the city reduced to ashes.
The Bandung Sea of Fire stands as a testament to the courage and resilience of the Indonesian people, showing their willingness to sacrifice everything for a free and dignified nation.
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