Teduh ya

Apa yang hadir dalam benak anda ketika melihat gambar di atas? Keren, teduh, hijau, sepi?

Dua minggu lalu ada setetes bangga meneduhkan hati ketika satu catatan sejarah ditorehkan dalam perjalanan menyusuri makam kehormatan saat melangkah ke dalam Ereveld Kalibanteng, Semarang. Genggaman selamat saya terima dari Alice yang juga turut menenami langkah pertama saat menjejak di Ereveld Menteng Pulo, Jakarta, 22 Juli 2006 silam.

Akhirnyaaaaa …. hari pentahbisan itu datang juga! Sabtu, 9 Maret 2013 saya lulus sebagai penjelajah makam setelah menuntaskan kunjungan ke 7 (tujuh) ereveld/makam kehormatan yang ada di Indonesia dalam kurun waktu 6 (enam) tahun. Ketujuh ereveld itu adalah:

• Ereveld Menteng Pulo, Jakarta – 22 Juli 2006, 4 Pebruari 2012 dan 4 Agustus 2012
• Ereveld Ancol, Jakarta – 22 Juli 2006 dan 9 Pebruari 2013
• Ereveld Kembang Kuning Surabaya – 22 November 2008 dan 16 Agustus 2012
• Ereveld Pandu, Bandung – 13 Juni 2009
• Ereveld Leuwigajah, Cimahi – 13 Juni 2009
• Ereveld Candi, Semarang – 9 Maret 2013
• Ereveld Kalibanteng, Semarang – 9 Maret 2013

Change the way you SEE Indonesia @Ereveld Kalibanteng, Semarang

Ereveld/Makam Kehormatan adalah taman pemakaman yang dikelola oleh OorlogsGravenStichting (OGS) atau Yayasan Makam Kehormatan Belanda yang berada di bawah naungan Kedutaan Besar Belanda. Taman kehormatan ini menjadi tempat peristirahatan terakhir jasad korban dari masa pendudukan Jepang baik dari kalangan militer maupun sipil.

Satu di antaranya yang memegang peran penting adalah Jenderal Simon Spoor, panglima tertinggi tentara kerajaan Belanda (KNIL/Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger) di Hindia Belanda (1945 – 1949). Makam Simon Spoor bisa kita jumpai ketika bertandang ke Ereveld Menteng Pulo. Lalu dari kalangan sipil ada Prof Dr A. Mochtar, Direktur Lembaga Eijkman pada masa perang dunia kedua yang dieksekusi oleh Jepang. Prof Mochtar dimakamkan dalam satu liang bersama 10 jasad lainnya karena tubuhnya sudah tak dikenali.

Senang menghabiskan waktu senggang mencari dan berkunjung ke kuburan tua adalah hobi yang sedikit bahkan berlebihan anehnya bagi mereka yang merasa dirinya normal, terlebih jika kesenangan itu dijalani oleh seorang perempuan imut seperti saya. *hahahahaaaa, lempar tahu!*

Kadang sindiran dilayangkan oleh mereka yang mengaku peduli tapi tak jua mengerti meski paparan alasan panjang kali lebar membentang. Bertolak belakang ketika berjumpa dengan beberapa perempuan super yang ternyata kesenangannya sama. Yang ditanyain adalah,”Live, kamu pernah malam-malam ke kuburan gak?”

Bertandang ke kuburan bagi saya gak sekedar datang duduk berdoa terus pulang, tapi bisa menghabiskan waktu lebih dari sejam bahkan berjam-jam. Karenanya kuping ini pun sudah terlatih menerima rentetan tanya seperti,”nggak ada tempat lain yang lebih menarik dari kuburan? loe ngapain aja kalo ke kuburan?” Biasanya kalau lagi malas, saya cukup menanggapi dengan memberikan perbandingan terhadap kegemaran seseorang ngider di mall. Apa coba yang dilakukan berjam-jam pegel-pegelin kaki keluar masuk butik tapi gak beli apa-apa? Sama kan? Yang membedakan adalah minatnya! Mari kita saling menghargai itu

Aaaggghhhh, saya jadi teringat seorang kawan yang menanti tulisan dari setiap perjalanan yang tak disetor-setor. Indonesia ini luas, tak sanggup saya jelajahi setiap sudutnya dan tuliskan sendiri, kenapa kita tidak berbagi? Ceritakanlah padaku apa yang kamu dapat di mall yang dingin itu, dan datanglah kemari untuk mengetahui apa yang kutemui saat menyusuri petak-petak bisu untuk mengenang mereka yang telah pergi.

I change my way I SEE Indonesia Dangerously Beautiful

Setinggi apapun jabatan yang kau pegang saat ini, sepongah apapun congormu berkumandang, sehebat apa pun kan kau pandang rendah manusia lain di sekitarmu; ketika sampai pada titik akhir yang tertinggal hanyalah sebuah nisan bisu. Kepada siapa engkau berharap makammu kan senantiasa terpelihara & doa untukmu tetap terangkai?

they shall not grow old
as we that are left grow old
age shall not weary them
nor the years condemn
at the going down of the sun
and in the morning
we shall remember them
we shall remember them …

Antjol, 1942 – 1945

Bersyukur atas setiap kesempatan yang diberi olehNya untuk menikmati Indonesia dengan cara yang berbeda, I Change my Way I SEE Indonesia. Itulah sepenggal kisahku, sekarang ceritakan padaku bagaimana kau menikmati Indonesia. [oli3ve]

Flagpole Monument seen from Battle of Tjiaterstelling Cemetery

ON MISSION

About 72 POW’s were executed at Tjiater of whom only three survived. The main cause for this massacre could be the fierce resistance offered by the 5th Battalion, which delayed the Japanese advance for several hours. All victims were buried at Bandung cemetery – Ereveld Pandu.

Ereveld Pandu is the memorial for the Tjiaterstelling, last battle of KNIL against The Japanese. I visited Ereveld Pandu accompanied by Ivan Sjafari, my best companion in Bandoeng on Saturday 9th August 2008. This mission is a part of the series of “My Odyssey in the Seven Dutch War Cemeteries in Java”. The Ereveld Pandu is the sixth ereveld I had visited, so the next mission Ereveld Leuwigajah in Tjimahi would be the final sequential.

Tablet Monument of Tjiaterstelling-Soebang-Kalidjati
1st – 8th of March 1942

Poerwadi – Opzichter in Ereveld Pandu
He has been working in OGS for 30 years on.

I would express my gratitude to Mr. Steenmeijer as the Director of Oorlogsgravenstichting Indonesia and Pak Purwadi as Opzichter of Ereveld Pandu who have kindly permitted me for visiting the Ereveld Pandu. Also for my friend Hatmanto Sri Nugroho who voluntary translating the leaflet of this war cemetery for me, and Ivan Sjafari my best companion in Bandoeng as well.

CITY MAP OF BANDOENG
Situation of Bandoeng in 1930s.
The green point is location of Train Station, whereas the red point is location of Christian Cemetery. However, the Ereveld just established in 1948.
Source: BANDOENG – Aangeboden door NILLMIJ,
Bijkantoor voor de Preanger en de P & T Landen, Aloon2 No.53, Bandoeng.
Courtesy of Hatmanto Sri NugrohoHISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Ereveld Pandu was officially inaugurated on 7th of March 1948 by General S.H. Spoor, it was the sixth years of Battle of Tjiaterstelling when The Dutch fought The Japanese in Tjiater, a town in northern Bandoeng. In the ceremonial inauguration, the remains of 14 corps of soldiers from Tjiaterstelling’s casualties were reburied also.

Inauguration of Ereveld Pandu on 7th of March 1948 by General S.H. Spoor at Flagpole Monument. Fourteen coffins, each covered by the Dutch flag, which a helmet, and roses, stood at the edge of the flagpole.
The Flagpole Monument: Present Day Situation

This cemetery was not for KNIL (Koninklijk Nederlandsch Indie Leger) only who lost their lives when they fought against “The Rising Sun”, but also the civilians who interned surrounding Bandoeng, and the victims in the chaotic period by the time of capitulation of Japanese in 1945, both civil or military regarding their duty for establishing the law and order. About 4.000 of the war victims are now buried in this cemetery.In addition of 1960s, there were reburied the mortal remains of war victims from Muntok (1960), Palembang (1967) and Makassar (1968).

THE PRINCIPAL MONUMENT

“OPGERICHT TER GEDACHTENIS AAN HEN DIE VIELEN ALS OFFER IN DE STRIJD OM VREDE EN RECHT”
“Established in memory of those who fell as a sacrifice in the struggle for peace and justice”

Designed by AW Gmelig Meyling, stand on platform which supported by eight pillars in the squared pond. On the top of monument there was the statement words “OPGERICHT TER GEDACHTENIS AAN HEN DIE VIELEN ALS OFFER IN DE STRIJD OM VREDE EN RECHT” means “Established in memory of those who fell as a sacrifice in the struggle for peace and justice”. Two tombstones escort this monument and between them, there is granite tablet with Dutch Lion relief.

The left tombstone is dedicated to “The Unknown Soldier” with helm (symbolize of strength, protection, invulnerability) and sword (symbolize of justice and military honor), also the laurel wreath (symbolize of peace and triumph).

Dedicated to Unknown Soldier

The right tombstone is dedicated to “The Unknown Civilian” with torch (symbolize of life and engaging in signal service) and laurel wreath.

Dedicated to Unknown Civilian

KNIL MONUMENT

KNIL Monument
The klewang and carbines characterize the appearance of the army KNIL-soldier.

Designed by Mrs. Therese de Groot-Haider, established on 15 August 1991. It is the replica of original monument in Koninklijk Tehuis voor Oud-militairen “Bronbeek” (Royal House for Old Soldier “Bronbeek”) in Arnhem. The klewang and carbines characterize the appearance of the army KNIL-soldier.

 

 

KNIL Monument Seen From the Urn Statue.
The Urn is usually found in cemetery which symbolize the soul or mortality.

FLAGPOLE MONUMENT

Flagpole Monument
It was surrounded by 12 symbols of zodiac and symbols of four major world religions.

The base of this monument is surrounded by 12 symbols of zodiac and symbols of four major world religions. In the based-center there are the names of places where the battle has been delivered: “SOEBANG, TJIATER, KALIDJATI, BATALJON TJIHAPIT, KAREES SLANDS, OPVOEDINGS GESTICHT DEPOT BATALJON XVe, SOEKAMISKIN, BRONBEEK, CHERIBON, BANJOMAS, TJIANDJOER, PREANGER”.

The Flagpole
It represent a kind of ancient book

As well the inscription: “ERE AAN DE GEVALLENEN IN DE STRYD VOOR ORDE, RUST EN WELVAART”, means “To the Fallen in the Struggle for the Restoration of Order, Peace and Prosperity”.

There are 12 inscriptions denote the names of the victims of the battle of Tjiaterstelling and Soebangstelling. Every inscription is symbolized by weapon or armament.

In the outer ring of Flagpole Monument, there are also 12 inscriptions that denote the names of the victims of the battle of Tjiaterstelling and Soebangstelling. Every inscription is symbolized by weapon or armament. Surrounding this monument there is other inscription: “TER EERBIEDIGE NAGEDACHTENIS AAN DE VELE ONGENOEMDEN DIE HUN LEVEN OFFERDEN EN NIET RUSTEN OP DE EREVELDEN” means “Respect The Memory of Many Victims Who Sacrificed Their Lives and Not Rest on The War Cemeteries”.

PADALARANG MONUMENT

The Padalarang Monument
Five person lost their lives in aircraft crash.

 

This monument consists of five columns and an inscription in book monument for memory of the member of company who have marvelous struggle as a soldiers. They lost their lives in aircraft crash.Inscription in Five Pillars:
“LEENDERT PAAY GEB. 7 – 4 – 1903 ROTTERDAM”
“ELISABETH EVERTS GEB. 30 – 8 – 1920 ‘S-GRAVENHAGE”
“JOHAN GUTLICH GEB. 3 – 8 – 1912 ROTTERDAM”
“FRANCINA GERRESE GEB. 19 – 1 – 1902 VLISSINGEN”
“RUDI BROER VAN DYK GEB. 22 – 5 – 1926 ‘SGRAVENHAGE”Inscription in Book Monument:
”TER NAGEDACHTENIS AAN DE LEDEN VAN EEN GEZELSCHAP DIE TER ONTSPANNING VAN DE TROEPEN TE VELDE VOOR – STELLINGEN VERZORGDEN.
ZIJ KWAMPEN OP 10 FEBRUARI 1948 TE PADALARANG MET ANDEREN BIJ EEN VLIEGONGEVAL OM HET LEVEN IN EEN TOESTEL VAN DE MILITAIRE LUCHVAART VAN HET KNIL”

THE VICTIMS

Unknown Moslem Tomb, probably KNIL Soldier

Unknown KNIL Soldier Tomb Perished on Last Battle of Tjiaterstelling
6th of March 1942

The Mass Cemetery
In Memoriam of Slaughtered in Bronbeek Bandoeng – November 1945
At least 33 of Indo-people are slaughtered by klewang in Military House in Bronbeek.

Mass Cemetery from Tegal

JAPANESE CONQUEST OF JAVA IN A WEEK!

1ST MARCH 1942: JAPANESE FLEET

Japanese Army fleet in Northern Coast of Java: Merak, Eretan Wetan, and Kragan. The ML-KNIL, RAF, and RAAF attacked from air to ground with Glenn Martins, Hudson, Blenheims, Hurricanes, and Brewster. They started from Kemajoran, Kalidjati, and Tjililitan airfields. However, Japanese Army can reach airfield of Kalidjati anyway.

2ND MARCH 1942: LACK OF KNIL LOGISTIC

Soebang back into the hands of the army KNIL in sudden assault in early morning, but the next assault must be postponed because lack of infantries and logistic.

3TH MARCH 1942: JAPANESE AIR ATTACK TO SOEBANG

KNIL was slowly movement closed to Soebang. Therefore, they suffered the Japanese air attack, they had lack of logistic as well. Finally, KNIL had moved back to Lembang in unsuccessfully mission.

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH 1942: KALIDJATI WAS OCCUPIED BY JAPANESE

The Americans went away, leaving behind the B-17 and a few P-40′s were awarded to the Dutch. A stream of refugees came from within Bandoeng Batavia. Other side, Japanese fought back to Kalidjati and this airfield was successfully conquered. The Governor General transferred the duty of Army Commander to Ter Poroten.

THURSDAY, 5TH MARCH 1942: DECLINING THE DEFENSE

Batavia and Buitenzorg were occupied by Japanese, only Soerabaya and Bandoeng were not yet occupied. Japanese moved to the South from Kalidjati to Bandoeng. However, KNIL was so deteriorating, they only shielded the Bandoeng. They occupied Tjiater for preparing the assault defense.

FRIDAY, 6TH MARCH 1942: LAST BATTLE OF KNIL IN TJIATERSTELLING

Japanese assault within good air cooperation result the Tjiater was occupied by Japanese, whereas the Dutch suffered bad communication. 72 POW’s were excecuted at Tjiater of whom only three survived. The main cause for this massacre could be the fierce resistance offered by the 5th Battalion, which delayed the Japanese advance for several hours. All victims were reburied at Bandung cemetery in March 1948, Ereveld Pandu.

SATURDAY, 7TH of MARCH 1942:

Japanese expanded to Lembang, closed to Bandoeng. Many KNIL soldier left their unit of duty, escaping from Bandoeng.

SUNDAY, 8TH MARCH 1942: KALIDJATI CAPITULATION

The loss on Friday of the Tjiater pass Saturday afternoon was the last statement in Lembang also cases. It was hard and valiantly fought on the Bandoeng plateau, but after the disappearance of Dutch aircraft and supplies was a hopeless case. Bandoeng, a city full of refugees, would be bombed and that further resistance was irresponsible.
In Kalidjati Airfield, The Dutch was officially surrendered under the Kalidjati Capitulation, means the end of the emporium that built in hundreds years. End of the story of Dutch Indies.

The Spirit Has Overcome!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Almost 25 thousands victims dead for war in Dutch Indies, both of civilian or military. They buried in the seven Dutch War Cemetery [Ereveld] in Java.In the beginning, they burned in 22 war cemeteries which scattered over Indonesia. Between 1946 to 1950 the War Cemeteries was maintained by KNIL. Since sovereignty admission of Repuplic of Indonesia, in 1960s the cemetery was centralized in Java.

However, the cemeteries and monuments inside are not only hold by Dutch history, but Indonesian history as well. A history that told us about what went before, sweet and bitter memories, anyway.

On the Memorial Tablet – The Battle of Tjiaterstelling

REFERENCES

“EREVELD PANDU”
Leaflet by Oorlogsgravenstichting (OGS)

“VAARWEL, TOT BETERE TIJDEN”
By J.C. Bijkerk
Uitgeverij T.Wever b.v., 1973.
Indonesian Edition, Published by Djambatan, 1988.

“BANDOENG, BEELD VAN EEN STAD”
Robert PGA Voskuil, et all, Asia Maior 1996.
Translated in to Indonesian:
“Bandung Citra Sebuah Kota”
Cooperation between Departemen Planologi ITB and Jagaddhita, 2007