Battle of Surabaya

Orientation The battle of Surabaya against the allied forces was inseparable from the
preceding event, namely the power and arms concessions of the Japanese
hands that began on September 2, 1945. The incident has aroused upheaval
so as to bring about a confrontational revolutionary situation. The youth
succeeded in possessing weapons, and the government provided support for
the actions they undertook. In fact both are ready to face a variety of threats
that come from both outside and from within.

Record of There was October 25, 1945, the Allied forces of the 49th Brigade under the
Events command of Brigadier General A.W.S. Mallaby landed in Surabaya. The
troops were part of the 23rd Division under the leadership of General D.C.
Hawthorn. They were tasked by the AFNEI Commander to disarm Japanese
soldiers and rescue Allied internees. Allied forces leaders meet R.M. Suryo
(Indonesian government holder in East Java). But the Indonesian
government in East Java was reluctant to accept their arrival. After a meeting
between representatives of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and
Brigadier General A.W.S. Mallaby, agreed on the following matters.
1. The British promised that there was no Dutch army in their army. .
2. They agree on the cooperation of both parties to ensure security and peace
3. They immediately formed a bureau contact so that cooperation could be
done as well as possible
4. England will only disarm Japan.
Therefore, the Republic of Indonesia permitted the British army to enter the
city on condition that only objects that were in accordance with their
occupation may be occupied, such as captive camps. But in subsequent
developments, the British broke his promise. On October 26, 1945, the night
of one platoon field security section under Captain Shaw's command to
attack the Kalisosok Prison to free Colonel Huiyer (a Dutch naval colonel)
with his friends. The British action continued by occupying the
Morokrembangan Air Base, the Port of Tanjung Perak, the Great Post Office,
the International Bank Building, and other vital objects. On October 27,
1945, at 11.00 British airplanes distributed pamphlets. The pamphlets
contained an order for the people of Surabaya to surrender the weapons they
had taken from Japanese hands. The Government of the Republic of
Indonesia attempted to ask Brigadier General A.W.S. Mallaby, but he
admitted knowing about the pamphlet. That attitude deprives the government
of the Republic of Indonesia of his trust. The government asks the youth to
remain alert for all possibilities. On October 27, 1945 came the first armed
contact between the youth and the British. The armed contact was
widespread, resulting in a battle between Indonesia and Britain on 28, 29
and 30 October 1945. In that battle the Allied forces could be repulsed and
even almost destroyed by Indonesian troops. Some vital objects were
 recaptured by the youth. Even Allied Brigadier General A.W.S. Mallaby was
captured by the youths. Seeing such a reality, the commander of the allied
forces contacted President Soekarno to reconcile the dispute between the
youth and the English bitch there. On October 30, 1945, President Soekarno,
Hatta, and Amir Syarifuddin came to Surabaya to reconcile the dispute.
Peace was achieved, but after the return of Soekarno and his entourage to
Jakarta, the fighting resumed and killed General A.W.S. Mallaby. British
troops were almost destroyed, and then they asked the bantuna of the
Division V under the leadership of Major General Mansergh with the
strength of 24,000 people. On November 9, 1945, the UK issued an
ultimatum containing the threat of pounding the city of Surabaya from land,
sea, and air if the people of Indonesia Surabaya did not obey the command
of England. They also issued instructions that all Indonesian leaders and
youths in Surabaya must arrive no later than November 10, 1945, at 6:00 am
at the appointed place. They are required to come with their hands on their
heads, and then sign the available documents as an unconditional surrender.
The young men holding the weapons were ordered to surrender their
weapons. The ultimatum was not obeyed by the people of Surabaya. On
November 10, 1945, there was a great battle of Surabaya. The people of
Surabaya are determined to fight furiously.

Reorientation It was a symbol of courage and determination to defend Indonesia's

independence. The November 10 event is commemorated every year as a
hero day by all the Indonesian nation.