The conquest of Peukan Baroe-Peukan Sòt on 6–10 August 1897 was the Dutch military operation during the Sigli expedition that destroyed Habib Oesén’s hostile fortifications (bentengs) in the moekims Peukan Baroe and Peukan Sòt near Sigli. After bombardment by warships and artillery from Sigli, the bentengs were stormed and taken by forces under Van Heutsz, resulting in the complete clearance of the area that had been the source of daily shootings against the Dutch establishment.
Van Heutsz’s speech and the battle
On the evening of 5 August, Van Heutsz addressed the troops at Governor Van Vliet’s request: “Daarginds liggen een heeleboel bentengs, en die bentengs zitten vol Atjehers. Die Atjehers moeten eruit, en jelui moeten erin! En binnen die bentengs staan tafels, waarop de Willemsorden klaar liggen voor wie ze willen gaan halen.” On 6 August, the bentengs were taken exactly as Van Heutsz had dictated: “De Atjehers gingen eruit en de soldaten gingen erin.” The uléla’s cleared the field, leaving many dead, rifles, and white weapons.
The Ch. Polman van den Broek photographs
Controleur Polman van den Broek’s photographs documented the battle: the second day saw the second battalion and marechaussee marching along Koelo Soekoen over dry sawahs in southern direction, with Van Heutsz standing on a munitions box directing operations; another photograph showed Van Heutsz’s adjutant and another officer on the bridge over the creek connecting Koeala Baraboh and Koeala Sigli, by the most western fortification, where the garrison had just fled on the approach of Dutch troops.
See Also
- Sigli expedition (August 1897)
- Peukan Baroe
- Peukan Sòt
- Habib Oesén
- Klapa tiga
- Joannes Benedictus van Heutsz
- J. J. van Vliet
- Ch. Polman van den Broek
- Sigli
- Pidië
Source
H. T. Damsté, “Drie Atjeh-Mannen,” Kolonial Tijdschrift, No. 4, 26e Jaargang (1937), overdruck, pp. 364–370.