The Conquest of Langkroek (28 September 1874) was the surprise seizure by overste Wiegand — acting on a plan drawn up by kolonel Pel — of the kampong of Langkroek, which leaned against the middle of the Pedir-dijk between Penajoeng and K. R. Bedil, and which the Atjehneezen had heavily fortified as the linchpin of their line on the right bank of the Atjeh-rivier. The victory, Borel writes, was “of great importance” and “cost almost nothing” — but Borel’s praise is qualified by Wiegand’s failure to press on at once to Lampriet.
Pel’s plan, Wiegand’s execution
After several weeks of forced inactivity Pel resolved on a stroke. The north side of Langkroek was known to be heavily fortified — a continuous line of works armed with light guns — but intelligence suggested the works were thinly held at dawn. Pel’s plan was to take the kampong by surprise before the enemy, streaming in from Pinang and the XXVI Moekims, could arrive in force. Execution was entrusted to Overste Wiegand.
The assault
In the early morning of 28 September 1874 Wiegand’s column struck. The works were un- or weakly held, and were carried before the Atjehneezen could resist. Three new posts were at once erected around the kampong, anchoring the line on the dike.
Borel’s criticism of Wiegand
Wiegand, having taken Langkroek, should have pressed on at once to seize Lampriet — the kampong between Langkroek and Pinang, “like an oasis in the sawah” — which could have been had without a fight, since the 12 c.M. shells of the Dutch batteries had already criss-crossed its terrain. Lampriet was in fact taken without resistance on 4 February 1875, by Romswinckel — more than four months later. The delay, Borel argues, was Wiegand’s fault. The same lack of drive would mar Wiegand’s conduct at the battle of Longbatta on 31 December 1874, when his column lost its way in the nipa-bosch and failed to support the hard-pressed colonne of van der Meer.
See Also
- Kolonel Wiegand
- Generaal Pel
- Langkroek
- Pedir-dijk
- Lampriet
- Majoor Romswinckel
- Penajoeng
- Kota Radja Bedil
- Sawah
- Battle of Longbatta (31 December 1874)
- 1874
Source
Onze vestiging in Atjeh, critisch beschreven, by G. F. W. Borel, Kapitein der Artillerie. ‘s-Gravenhage: D. A. Thieme, 1878. pp. 200–201.