DJOKJAKARTA: In December 1948, when the military and the political situation deteriorated drastically, the government ordered to conduct the Tweede Politionele Actie. On 19 December 1948 Dutch commando parachutists were the first, by launching a spectacular airborne operation, at the republican capital Djokjakarta. The entire Indonesian republican government, including President Soekarno, was captured.
CENTRAL SUMATRA: Ten days later, on 29 December 1948, this event was followed by parachuting the battle group over Sumatra and the conquest of the oilfields near Djambi. On 5 January 1949 another hazardous airborne operation was carried out on the oilfields near Rengat and Ajer Molek at Sumatra. These three airborne operations took place in less than three weeks by the same red and green berets of thes battle group. For the last time, on 10 March 1949, the battle group were parachuted over Gading, south-east of Djokjakarta on 27 December 1949. The political situation changed resulting in the transfer of sovereignty to the Federal Republic of Indonesia. In the spring of 1950 part of the soldiers demobilised in Indonesia. The other part returned to the Netherlands. |