Battle of Semarang

This article is about the battle between the Japanese empire and Indonesian military. For the Semarang offensive against the British that reached the city on 15 December 1945, see Battle of Ambarawa.
Battle of Semarang
Part of the Indonesian National Revolution

Tugu Muda in Semarang commemorating the battle
Date15–19 October 1945[a]
Location
Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Result Ceasefire
Belligerents
 Indonesia  Japan
Commanders and leaders
Kido Shinichirō
Units involved
People's Security Army (TKR)
Indonesian National Police (POLRI)
Youth volunteers (pemuda)		 5th Special Infantry Battalion (Kido Butai), Yagi Butai (battalion of 42nd Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, 2nd Army), and smaller units
Strength
7,000 441[2]–949[3]
Casualties and losses
2,000 dead (including civilians)[4][5][6] 150[7]–850 dead[6]
61 wounded[7]
231 missing[7][b]

The Battle of Semarang (Indonesian: Pertempuran Semarang), in Indonesia also known as Pertempuran Lima Hari (Five Days' Battle)[8] was a clash between Japanese forces of the Sixteenth Army and Indonesian forces consisting of People's Security Agency personnel and pemuda in October 1945 at the city of Semarang, Central Java. The battle is considered as the first major clash involving the Indonesian military.

With the Japanese surrender, Indonesian authorities attempted to seize Japanese arms in anticipation for a Dutch return. Tensions rose after the Semarang garrison refused to hand over their weapons, and after an incident sparked a massacre of Japanese civilians, fighting broke out between the Japanese and Indonesian forces.

  1. ^ Siong 1996, p. 387.
  2. ^ Panitia Penyusunan Sejarah Pertempuran Lima Hari Semarang 1977, pp. 156.
  3. ^ Panitia Penyusunan Sejarah Pertempuran Lima Hari Semarang 1977, pp. 114.
  4. ^ Gotō 2003, p. 171.
  5. ^ Connor 2015.
  6. ^ a b Sedjarah Militer Kodam VII/Diponegoro 1968, pp. 36.
  7. ^ a b c Siong 1996, p. 422.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference hid was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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