National Heroes’ Day

Heroes’ Day is a Remembrance Day annually celebrated on 10 November in Indonesia. The day commemorates the 1945 Battle in Surabaya, in which Indonesian soldiers fought fearlessly against the British and Dutch soldiers troops as part of the Indonesian National Revolution.

After the armistice between Indonesia and the United Kingdom was signed on October 29, 1945, the battles gradually stopped, but there were still a few battles that were going on (the battle between the people of Surabaya and the army of the United Kingdom, that was happening in Surabaya). The battle began when Brigadier General Mallaby’s (the leadership of the army of the United Kingdom to East Java)  was passing through the Red Bridge. A misunderstanding led to the shootout that led to Mallaby’s death.

After Mallaby’s death, his successor, Major General Robert Mansergh issued an ultimatum that says all the leaders and soldiers of Indonesia to surrender their weapons and themselves with hands above their head. The limit of the ultimatum is on 6 a.m. on November 10, 1945.

The ultimatum was later rejected by the leaders and soldiers of Indonesia, because it was considered as a humiliation for the leaders and soldiers that have helped build the Republic of Indonesia that was already standing at the moment.

Bung Tomo, one of the heroes from Surabaya, was one of the most revolutionary and inspiring heroes from Indonesia. He motivated soldiers through the radio. In addition to Bung Tomo, there are other influencial figures, like KH. Ash’ari, KH Hasyim, Wahab Hasbullah, and many more.

At least 12.000 fighters from Indonesia were killed and 200.000 civilians moved from Surabaya. The victims of the United Kingdom was approximately 1500 soldiers. The number of fighters and soldiers that died and the civilians who were victims on November 10 were later remembered as heroes. And November 10 has been called National Heroes’ Day until now by people of Indonesia.

by Felix Ivander Salim (7B)