First Conquest of the Great Missigit was a significant military engagement that occurred on 10 April 1873 during the First Aceh Expedition. The Dutch forces, led by General J.H.R. Köhler and field commanders like Major F.P. Cavaljé, attacked and temporarily captured Atjeh’s Groote Missigit from Acehnese defenders.
Background
Following the Landing on Atjeh’s Coasts on 8 April 1873 and the Reconnaissance of the Kraton on 9 April 1873, the Dutch high command determined that a major assault was required to seize the strongly fortified Atjeh’s Groote Missigit, which served as a crucial defensive position protecting the Kraton of Atjeh. On the morning of 10 April 1873, the troops marched from their coastal bivouac towards the interior.
The Battle
The Dutch forces were organized into a vanguard led by Major F.P. Cavaljé and a main body under Captain-Lieutenant J.W. Binkes. The vanguard included units from the 3e Bataljon Infanterie and was spearheaded by Captain J.P. van Lier, alongside Lieutenants H.L.J. Ligtenberg, A.S.H. Booms, and C.J. Zwager. The assault was marked by fierce hand-to-hand combat, as Acehnese defenders resisted vigorously from the walls and inner sanctuaries of the mosque.
Despite heavy fire, the Dutch managed to breach the western walls using Stormladders. Captain J.P. van Lier’s column was the first to enter the enclosure. However, the position proved untenable due to continuous attacks and heavy casualties. By late afternoon, General J.H.R. Köhler ordered the Retreat from the Missigit, and the forces withdrew to a bivouac near Village Merdoehati. During this engagement, several notable acts of bravery occurred, though the mosque was swiftly reoccupied by the Acehnese after the Dutch departed.
See Also
Source
De verovering van Atjeh’s groote Missigit by J.F.D. Bruinsma, Sneek, 1889, pp. 18-57.