Suara.com – Heroes’ Day is celebrated on November 10 every year. This date is determined based on Presidential Decree no. 316 of 1959 dated 16 December 1959 which was ratified by Soekarno.
The basis for the decision on November 10 as Heroes’ Day cannot be separated from the battle in Surabaya. This terrifying incident devastated the city of Surabaya and killed many victims.
So the history of Heroes’ Day cannot be separated from the battle of Surabaya. How did it start?
Forerunner of the Battle of Surabaya
Allied troops who came to Indonesia after winning World War II became the start of the battle in Surabaya. They joined NICA led by General Mallaby and landed in Surabaya on October 25 1945
The Allies’ aim in Indonesia was to secure prisoners of war and disarm the Japanese army. The reason is, Japan was the losing party in this world war.
However, the Dutch, who were piggybacking on their allies, actually took advantage of the situation to reclaim this homeland. The first battle in Surabaya broke out on October 27 1945.
Mallaby Killed
Its intensity continued to increase until on October 30 1945, the leader of British troops in East Java, Brigadier General Aubertin Mallaby, was killed in an incident.
He died in a shootout near Red Bridge, Surabaya. Mallaby was killed by a bullet from one of the Indonesian troops.
His body was difficult to recognize because the car he was in caught fire due to the grenade explosion. This incident made the British furious, because Mallaby was the leader of 6,000 troops.
The Great Battle of November 10, 1945
Mallaby was replaced by Major General Robert Mansergh who was also Commander of the British 5th Division.
In 20th Century Indonesia (1998), G. Moedjanto wrote that on 9 November 1945 Major General Robert Mansergh issued an ultimatum to the people of Surabaya, the contents of which included the following:
All Indonesian leaders in Surabaya must report themselves. All weapons owned by the Indonesian side in Surabaya must be handed over to the British. Indonesian leaders in Surabaya must be willing to sign a statement of unconditional surrender.
The Indonesian side was given a grace period of 6 am, November 10 1945. If the ultimatum was not heeded, the British would attack the city of Surabaya from various directions from land, sea to air.
The people of Surabaya rejected this request, so a bloody battle broke out on November 10, 1945.
However, all the people of Surabaya ignored the British threat. Therefore, a big battle took place in Surabaya on November 10 1945.
The battle killed 20 thousand Indonesian fighters. Meanwhile, the allies killed 1,500 people.
Lasts for 3 weeks
The battle that took place in Surabaya lasted for 3 weeks and 3 days. Starting on October 27, 1945 and ending on November 20, 1945.
This was the first and longest battle after the proclamation of Independence. This battle also caused quite a lot of losses for Indonesia.
Surabaya’s resistance to the allied troops was led by Bung Tomo. Bung Tomo also succeeded in reviving the fighting spirit of the people of Surabaya against the allied troops through his fiery speech.
Until finally, the British army was repulsed from Surabaya. Due to the struggle of the people of Surabaya, every November 10th is designated as “Heroes’ Day”.
Such is the history of Heroes’ Day, November 10, which originated from the struggle of the heroes during the Battle of Surabaya.