Battle of Surabaya

Battle of Surabaya
Part of the Indonesian National Revolution
A British Indian soldier uses a knocked-out, Indonesian nationalist militia-modified Universal Carrier as defensive cover against enemy gunfire in a main street in the East Javan city of Surabaya, in November 1945.
Date 27 October – 20 November 1945 (3 weeks and 3 days) Location Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia 07°15′35″S 112°44′23″E / 7.25972°S 112.73972°E / -7.25972; 112.73972 Result British victory Territorial changes British military forces successfully occupy Surabaya until November 1946
Belligerents
Indonesia	United Kingdom  British Raj
Commanders and leaders
Sutomo Soengkono [id] Moestopo Muhammad Mangundiprojo Muhammad Yasin Hario Jonosewojo [id]	A.W.S. Mallaby † Robert Mansergh
Units involved
Indonesian People's Revolutionary Front Tokubetsu Keisatsutai People's Security Army	5th Indian Infantry Division 23rd Indian Infantry Division 49th Indian Infantry Brigade
Strength
20,000 Infantry troops 100,000+ Youth volunteers[1]	30,000[1]
Casualties and losses
6,300[2]–15,000[3] dead 20,000 wounded	295[4]–2,000[1] dead 210 wounded

The Battle of Surabaya was fought between regular infantry and militia of the Indonesian nationalist movement and British and British Indian troops as a part of the Indonesian National Revolution against the re-imposition of Dutch colonial rule. The peak of the battle was in November 1945. The battle was the largest single battle of the revolution and became a national symbol of Indonesian resistance.^[2] Considered a heroic effort by Indonesians, the battle helped galvanise Indonesian and international support for Indonesian independence. 10 November is celebrated annually as Heroes' Day (Hari Pahlawan).

By the time the Allied forces arrived at the end of October 1945, the Pemuda ("youth") foothold in Surabaya City was described as "a strong unified fortress".^[5] Fighting broke out on 30 October after the British commander, Brigadier A. W. S. Mallaby was killed in a skirmish.^[5] The British retaliated with a co-ordinated sweep that began on 10 November, under the cover of air attacks. Although the colonial forces largely captured the city in three days, the poorly armed Republicans fought for three weeks, and thousands died as the population fled to the countryside.

Despite the military defeat suffered by the Republicans and a loss of manpower and weaponry that would severely hamper Republican forces for the rest of the revolution, the battle and defence mounted by the Indonesians galvanised the nation in support of independence and helped garner international attention.

For the Dutch, it removed any doubt that the Republic was not simply a gang of collaborators without popular support. It also had the effect of convincing Britain that wisdom lay on the side of neutrality in the revolution; within a few years, in fact, Britain would support the Republican cause in the United Nations.^[2]