THE JAPANESE BATTERY IN BENKOELEN - WEST COAST OF SUMATRA

By Mr. Mahandis Yoanata

“To anyone who observed the compass; do not be angry to this scratches maker.
Remember, the misery and the time that made me to scratch and to write here”
~POW’s Scratches on Internment Camp of Fort Marlborough 1942-45~

Bunker #1: Coastwatcher Shelter Location: western glacis of Fort Marlborough Preservation Status: heritage site

ON MISSION

Observing the remnants of Japanese battery in Benkoelen with John Verbeek on Sunday 19th of July 2009. This mission is a continuation part of my previous journey for observing the Japanese bunkers in Java (Kalimaro Hill – Poerworedjo and Goenoengwesi Hill – near coastline of Jogjakarta).

A military bunker is a hardened shelter, buried partly or fully. Designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks. In our counterpart mission in Benkoelen, we found only seven Japanese military bunkers, probably built 1942-45.

In the history Japanese Campaign in to Sumatra, we know that Benkoelen fell on 24th of February 1942 under the 2nd Company of the 4th Tank Regiment (10 Type 95 Light Tanks) were assigned to the Kamiyoshi Detachment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

J. Welius A voluntary officer of Central of Heritage Conservation (BP3) – Benkoelen Responsible in preservation of Fort Marlborough and Japanese military bunkers

The observing Japanese battery in Benkoelen never be commenced without the best companion J. Welius, voluntary officer of Central of Heritage Conservation – Benkoelen (Balai Pelestarian Peninggalan Purbakala/BP3). For his proficiency and heritage preservation, we express our gratitude to him.

CITY MAP OF BENKOELEN 1924

Source: “Hoofdplaats Bengkoeloe 1924” Batavia: Topografische inrichting 1924

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THE BEGINNING OF JAPANESE CAMPAIGN IN TO SUMATRA

Before Simultaneous Attack on Pearl Harbor – Wake Island – Philippines – Hongkong – Malaya on 7th of December 1941, the Japanese Imperial Army has occupied Manchuria, Korea, and part of China.

CODENAMED “THE OPERATION L”

9th of February 1942

It began with the 229th infantry regiment of the 38th infantry division of Hong Kong moved from the Cam Ranh Bay to Indo-China. The transporters accompanied by a cruiser, destroyers, minesweepers and submarine hunters under the command of rear admiral Hashimoto Shintaro advanced to Bangka and Palembang.

10th of February 1942

Rear admiral Ozawa Jisaburo followed with the western cover fleet on the cruisers, the aircraft carrier, and destroyers.

11th of February 1942

The main armed forces were strengthened in 13 transporters which accompanied by a heavy cruiser, a frigate, four destroyers and a submarine hunter.

THE BATTLE OF PALEMBANG
13 – 15 of February 1942

Under the command of Colonel Seiichi Kume, the Japanese 2nd Parachute Regiment dropped between Palembang and Pangkalan Benteng, including the west of the refineries at Pladjoe. The Japanese occupied the undamaged Pladjoe oil refinery. After the fall of Palembang, they continued to advance road to Benkoelen.

THE NORTH SUMATRA CAMPAIGN, THE FALL OF BENKOELEN
24th of February 1942

The 2nd Company of the 4th Tank Regiment (10 Type 95 Light Tanks) were assigned to the Kamiyoshi Detachment and advanced to Benkoelen. No enemy was found during the advance. Kamiyoshi Detachment were armored sections of infantry detachments or completely independent armor units. They occupied Fort Marlborough, and finally the all the Dutch were interned there.

The Japanese Tank Regiment Type 95 Ha-Go (Kyugoshiki Keisensha Ha-Go) Kamiyoshi Detachment armored by this type of Japanese tank. The Type 95 lacked the armor or armament of contemporary Allied tanks, and was regarded as obsolete by the start of World War II. More than 2,000 units were produced. Source: Australian War Memorial

The POW’s Scratch (Compass and Note) on the Prison of Fort Marlborough.

The text as follows:

“DEI DIT KOMPAS BEZIT BERIDEN KNOEIJEN DIET
BEDENT DAT LEEGEN TIJA TOT KNOEI JERIJ MIJ LEIDT
EN DAT VORR TIJAVERDRAJT IK DIRT HIER NEDERSCHRIFT”

(the translation can be found on the beginning this journal)


CODENAMED “THE OPERATION T”

28th of February 1942

Japanese army get a move on from Singapore. They were split in four fleets and were accompanied by cruisers, destroyers, patrol boats and submarine-defensive unities. The air and sea defense of the Allied Forces were switched off, the movement of Japanese in to North Sumatra has been successfully without any resists.

Please read full article at :

PART I at link : http://rejang-lebong.blogspot.com/2010/02/japanese-battery-in-benkoelen-west.html

PART II at link : http://rejang-lebong.blogspot.com/2010/02/remnants-of-japanese-military-bunkers.html

PART III at link : http://rejang-lebong.blogspot.com/2010/02/gallery-album-remnants-of-japanese.html

Credit :
MY ODYSSEY (Personal site mr. Mahandis Yoanata)
to allow publish at http://rejang-lebong.blogspot.com (Rejang Land Blog)

Pariwisata Bengkulu