Operation Kraai

Operation Kraai
Part of the Indonesian National Revolution

From top, left to right:
  • Dutch troops enter Djokjakarta. On the left a burning car.
  • Dutch troops on the advance of East Java
  • Station of Ngebroek. A bivouac is set up.
  • Advance in Tapanoeli (Sumatra). Patrol of Dutch soldiers passes some typical Batak houses
  • Advancement in Padang, Sumatra by Dutch troops.
  • Dutch soldiers in the main street of Rantau Prapat
Date19 December 1948 – 5 January 1949 (1948-12-19 – 1949-01-05)
Guerilla warfare until 7 May 1949
Location
Java and Sumatra, Indonesia[1]
Result
  • Dutch victory
Territorial
changes		 Yogyakarta captured by the Dutch
Belligerents
 Indonesia  Netherlands
Commanders and leaders
Units involved
Strength
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

Operation Kraai (Operation Crow) was a Dutch military offensive against the de facto Republic of Indonesia in December 1948, following the failure of negotiations. With the advantage of surprise, the Dutch managed to capture the Indonesian Republic's temporary capital, Yogyakarta, and seized Indonesian leaders such as de facto Republican President Sukarno. This apparent military success was, however, followed by guerrilla warfare, while the violation of the Renville Agreement ceasefire diplomatically isolated the Dutch. This led to the Dutch–Indonesian Round Table Conference and recognition of the United States of Indonesia.[4]

Referred to by the Dutch as the second politionele actie, it is more commonly known in Indonesian history books and military records as Agresi Militer Belanda II (Second Dutch Military Aggression).[5]

  1. ^ a b Kahin (2003), p. 89
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference KahinSEA90 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Nasution, Abdul H. (1965). Fundamentals of Guerilla Warfare. New York: Praeger. pp. 179–180.
  4. ^ Ricklefs (1993), p.230 "... both a military and a political catastrophe for [the Dutch]".
  5. ^ Zweers (1995)