Bandung Lautan Api | Documentary Film Erlangga 70th Anniversary

Anjasrizki

24 Apr 202215:54

Summary

TLDRThe script recounts the heroic history of Bandung, Indonesia, during its struggle for independence post-proclamation. Known as 'Bandung Lautan Api', it details the city's resistance against British-led Allied forces and the Dutch-backed NICA, who sought to regain control. The narrative unfolds with the ultimatum issued to divide Bandung, the fierce battles, and the strategic scorched earth policy adopted by Indonesian forces led by AH Nasution. The people's sacrifice and love for their homeland are highlighted as they burned their own homes and left the city to prevent it from being used by the Allies. The 'Bandung Lautan Api' monument stands as a testament to this brave resistance.

Takeaways

🏙️ Bandung, known as 'Kota Kembang', is famous for its natural beauty and cityscape.
🗓️ On March 24, 1946, the beauty of Bandung was overshadowed by a significant historical event.
🌏 Post-proclamation of independence, Indonesia faced challenges from powerful nations wanting to control it.
🛡️ October 12, 1945, British forces led by Brigadier General McDonald arrived in Bandung, supported by NICA, to repatriate Japanese soldiers.
🔥 The process of repatriation was disrupted by attacks from Indonesian freedom fighters, leading to armed conflicts.
🗡️ November 21, 1945, marked the attack on the British forces' headquarters at Hotel Savoy Homann and Hotel Priangan by Indonesian fighters.
⚔️ An ultimatum was issued on November 24, 1945, dividing Bandung into North and South to facilitate the repatriation process.
🛑 The Indonesian forces were ordered to withdraw from Bandung, which was seen as a strategic move by the Allies to control the city fully.
🏹 The Battle of Bojongkokosan on December 9-10, 1945, showcased a heroic stand by the people of Sukabumi against the British convoy.
📜 On March 23, 1946, another ultimatum was issued demanding the evacuation of Bandung North of all inhabitants and troops by midnight.
🔥 In response, AH Nasution ordered the 'burning of the land' strategy, setting buildings on fire to prevent their use by the Allies.

Q & A

What is the nickname 'Kota Kembang' associated with and why?
-The nickname 'Kota Kembang' is associated with Bandung city, known for its beauty and regular events.
What significant event occurred on March 24, 1946, in Bandung?
-On March 24, 1946, the beauty of Bandung was overshadowed by the conflict between Indonesian forces and the Allied forces, leading to the city being set on fire, known as 'Bandung Lautan Api' or 'Bandung Sea of Fire'.
Why did the Allied forces, led by Brigadier General McDonald, arrive in Bandung on October 12, 1945?
-The Allied forces arrived in Bandung to repatriate Japanese soldiers and to free Dutch and European civilians from Japanese captivity.
What was the purpose of the Allied forces' ultimatum issued on November 24, 1945?
-The ultimatum demanded the division of Bandung into two areas, Bandung Utara for the Dutch and Allies, and Bandung Selatan for the Indonesian people, to facilitate the release of prisoners.
Why did the Indonesian fighters attack the hotels Savoy Homann and Priangan on November 21, 1945?
-The Indonesian fighters attacked the hotels because they were the headquarters of the Allied forces, and the fighters were frustrated by the continuous disturbances and armed conflicts caused by some of the released prisoners.
What was the significance of the Bojongkokosan battle on December 9-10, 1945?
-The Bojongkokosan battle was significant as it showcased the Indonesian fighters' ability to defeat a large British convoy carrying logistical support for the Allied forces in Bandung, despite being outnumbered.
What ultimatum did Brigadier General McDonald issue to the Indonesian Prime Minister Sutan Syahrir on March 23, 1946?
-The ultimatum demanded that Bandung Utara be cleared of inhabitants and troops by midnight on March 24, 1946, to prevent further bloodshed.
What decision did AH Nasution make in response to the ultimatum issued by Brigadier General McDonald?
-AH Nasution decided that Indonesian inhabitants and troops would leave Bandung, and the city would be set on fire to prevent it from being used by the Allies.
Why was Bandung considered a strategic location by the Allies?
-Bandung was considered strategic due to its central location on the island of Java, close to Jakarta and other major cities, and surrounded by high mountains that could serve as a natural fortress.
What did the people of Bandung do in response to the order to leave the city on March 24, 1946?
-The people of Bandung secured what belongings they could carry, set fire to their own homes, and left the city, becoming refugees.
What is the significance of the 'Bandung Lautan Api' monument in Tegal Lega, Bandung?
-The 'Bandung Lautan Api' monument commemorates the heroic resistance and sacrifices of the people of Bandung during the conflict with the Allied forces, symbolizing their love for their homeland.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Bandung's Struggle for Independence

This paragraph recounts the historical struggle of Bandung, a city known for its beauty, during the Indonesian fight for independence post-proclamation. It details the arrival of British forces led by Brigadier General McDonald on October 12, 1945, with the intent to repatriate Japanese soldiers and free Dutch and European prisoners of war. However, the process was disrupted by Indonesian fighters, leading to armed conflicts. The narrative culminates in the significant event of November 24, 1945, where the British issued an ultimatum to divide Bandung into North and South, with the former for the Dutch and allies, and the latter for Indonesians, sparking further resistance and battles.

05:03

🛡️ The Heroic Battle of Bojongkokosan

Paragraph 2 delves into the broader resistance against the allies, including the merchants and buyers from North Bandung, which forced the allies to send food logistics from Jakarta. It highlights the heroic and historic Battle of Bojongkokosan near Sukabumi on December 9-10, 1945, where a large British convoy carrying food logistics was defeated by Indonesian fighters and the people of Sukabumi. This event was a significant blow to the British forces and an embarrassment on the international stage. The paragraph also describes the ultimatum issued by Brigadier General McDonald on March 23, 1946, demanding the evacuation of North Bandung and the dilemma faced by AH Nasution, who was torn between accepting the ultimatum and defending Bandung.

10:06

🔥 The Sacrificial Burning of Bandung

The third paragraph narrates the dramatic decision made by AH Nasution to evacuate Bandung and set the city ablaze to prevent its use by the allies. On March 24, 1946, the order was broadcasted for the citizens to leave, while soldiers carried out the 'scorched earth' policy by burning buildings. The citizens secured what they could, set fire to their own homes, and left the city. The paragraph describes the ensuing battles to stop the burning, the heroic actions of Muhammad Toha and Muhamad Ramdan who infiltrated and blew up an ammunition depot, and the eventual departure of the people, turning the once beautiful city into a 'sea of fire' and a city of ashes.

15:12

🕍 The Legacy of Bandung's Sea of Fire

The final paragraph reflects on the significance of the Bandung 'Sea of Fire' event, emphasizing the love and sacrifice of the people of Bandung for their homeland. It speaks of the collective decision to burn their own city and become refugees, showcasing their resistance against the allies' attempt to control Bandung. The paragraph concludes by commemorating this historic event with the establishment of the Bandung Sea of Fire Monument in Tegal Lega, Bandung, and calls for the remembrance and appreciation of the heroes' sacrifices for Indonesia's independence.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Bandung

Bandung is a city in Indonesia known for its beauty and is often referred to as 'Kota Kembang' which translates to 'Flower City'. In the video, Bandung is the central location for the historical events described, including its struggle for independence and the 'Bandung Lautan Api' (Sea of Fire) incident.

💡Independence

Independence in this context refers to the state of being free from colonial control, which was a significant theme in the video. It discusses Indonesia's fight for freedom after the proclamation of independence on 24 Maret (March) 1946, highlighting the challenges faced by the new nation.

💡Allies

The Allies in the script refer to the coalition of countries, including the British forces led by Brigadier General McDonald, who were involved in World War II and later arrived in Bandung with the intention of repatriating Japanese soldiers and freeing European prisoners of war.

💡Savoy Homann Hotel

Savoy Homann Hotel is mentioned as the location where the Allied forces were headquartered during their stay in Bandung. It was also the site of significant conflict when Indonesian fighters attacked it in response to the Allies' actions.

💡Ultimatum

An ultimatum is a final demand or statement of terms, the refusal of which will result in some form of punishment or conflict. In the video, the British forces issued an ultimatum to the Indonesian government, demanding the division of Bandung and the withdrawal of Indonesian forces.

💡Bojongkokosan

Bojongkokosan refers to a heroic and historical battle that took place in Sukabumi on December 9-10, 1945. The Indonesian fighters and people of Sukabumi managed to destroy a large British military convoy carrying logistics and food supplies intended for Bandung.

💡Diplomacy

Diplomacy is the art of conducting negotiations between countries or groups. In the script, Sutan Syahrir, the then Prime Minister of Indonesia, preferred to resolve the conflict with the Allies through diplomatic means rather than military confrontation.

💡Defiance

Defiance in the video represents the Indonesian people's and fighters' refusal to comply with the demands of the Allies and their determination to maintain their sovereignty. This is exemplified by the decision to leave Bandung and set it ablaze to prevent it from being used by the Allies.

💡Strategic Location

A strategic location is a place of significant importance due to its position or characteristics that provide an advantage. Bandung is described as a strategic location because of its central position on Java Island, close to Jakarta and other major cities, and surrounded by high mountains that could serve as natural defenses.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice in this context refers to the willingness of the people of Bandung to give up their homes and city for the sake of their country's independence. The script describes how they burned their own houses and left the city to become refugees, showing their love for their homeland.

💡Monument

A monument is a structure or object created to commemorate a significant event or person. The script mentions the 'Bandung Lautan Api' monument in Tegal Lega, Bandung, which was erected to honor the heroic resistance and sacrifices made by the people of Bandung during the conflict.

Highlights

Bandung is famously known as 'Kota Kembang' due to its beauty and regular events.

On March 24, 1946, the beauty of Bandung was overshadowed by a significant historical event.

The struggle of the people of Bandung to defend their beloved land from colonization began after the proclamation of independence.

On October 12, 1945, British forces led by Brigadier General McDonald arrived in Bandung with the intention to repatriate Japanese soldiers.

The process of releasing prisoners was disrupted by the Indonesian fighters, leading to armed conflicts.

On November 21, 1945, Indonesian fighters attacked the hotels Savoy Homann and Priangan, which were the headquarters of the Allied forces.

The attack resulted in a fierce battle on November 24, 1945, leading to an ultimatum from the Allies to divide Bandung into North and South.

The division aimed to facilitate the release of prisoners and was a strategic move by the Allies to control Bandung.

The heroic and historic Battle of Bojongkokosan took place on December 9-10, 1945, where a large British convoy was defeated by Indonesian fighters.

The British were forced to send logistical support from Jakarta due to ongoing armed conflicts in Bandung.

On March 23, 1946, Brigadier General McDonald issued an ultimatum demanding the evacuation of Bandung North.

Sutan Syahrir, the Prime Minister at the time, urged AH Nasution to accept the ultimatum to avoid further bloodshed.

General Sudirman's telegram instructed to defend Bandung to the last drop of blood, creating a dilemma for AH Nasution.

AH Nasution decided that Indonesian troops and civilians would leave Bandung, but the city would be set ablaze to prevent its use by the Allies.

The decision to burn down Bandung was strategic to prevent the city from being used for military bases by the Allies.

On March 24, 1946, the order was broadcasted for the evacuation of Bandung, with Indonesian soldiers setting fire to buildings.

The residents of Bandung began to secure their belongings and set fire to their homes before leaving the city.

The event of Bandung being set ablaze is commemorated with the 'Bandung Lautan Api' monument in Tegal Lega, Bandung.

The 'Bandung Lautan Api' event is a heroic part of history that will always be remembered for the sacrifices made by the people of Bandung.