Tuchtiging der V Moekims Montassik (16–17 June 1896)

Properties2
tagsevent, dutch, achehnese, colonial, military, aceh-war
aliasesTuchtiging der V Moekims Montassik, 16–17 June 1896 punitive expedition, Punitive expedition against Montassik, Montassik tuchtiging

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The Tuchtiging der V Moekims Montassik (16–17 June 1896) — the chastisement, punitive expedition of the V Moekims Montassik and the XIII Moekims Toengkoeb regions — was the major two-day three-colonne operation commanded by Kol. J. W. Stemfoort against the bendehoofds T. Brahim Montassik, Pang Arab, Panglima Nja Makam, Pang Sech, Habib Samalanga, and the Teungkoes Soepi, Loeboek, and Lam-Oe, whose chiefs and population had shown hostile intent by fortifying positions and stationing band leaders. Following the tuchtiging of Lam-Krak of 9 June–10 June 1896, the V Moekims Montassik and the XIII Moekims Toengkoeb were the next targets. The 1e Colonne under Lt.-Col. Bisschoff van Heemskerck comprised the maréchaussée and the 3e and 6e Bataljons, the 4de Bergbatterij, and Genie; the 2e Colonne under Lt.-Col. Van Heutsz comprised the 7e and 9e Bataljons, the 2e Bergbatterij, and Genie; the Reserve-Colonne under Lt.-Col. Soeters comprised the 12e and 14e Bataljons and a mixed battalion under Maj. K. W. Steinmetz, the 1te Bergbatterij, and Genie. On 16 June 1896 the Panteh Karang redoute was stormed by Ambonese under Dijserinck and Lamster; on 17 June 1896 the Kroeng-Kali benteng was stormed by compagnie Linck under fire from a lilla, with 2nd Lt. Heyligers first inside. The Pretender-Sultan fled from Panteh-Karang; T. Tjoet Toengkoeb and Panglima Nja Makam retreated to Lam-Tobah.

Background

By mid-June 1896 the three-day offensive had broken Teungkoe Oemar’s stelling at Lam-Pisang, the razing of Lam-Asan was complete, the operations in the IV and VI Moekims had cleared the northern coastal stretch, and the tuchtiging of Lam-Krak had reduced the principal Achehnese redoubt in the western sagi. The Regeeringscommissaris, Lt.-Gen. Vetter, now resolved to chastise the V Moekims Montassik and the XIII Moekims Toengkoeb — the regions whose chiefs and population had shown hostile intent by fortifying positions and by stationing band leaders in their territory. The principal Achehnese commanders in the area were: T. Brahim Montassik — the bendehoofd of Montassik, whose benden had suffered 5 killed and 12 wounded at the diversie to Montassik of 2 May 1896; Pang Arab; Panglima Nja Makam — the bendehoofd of Lamnga; Pang Sech; Habib Samalanga — a descendant of the Prophet who had gathered 50–60 men at Lamsoet; and the Teungkoes Soepi, Loeboek, and Lam-Oe. The presence of the Pretender-Sultan at Panteh-Karang added a political dimension to the operation: his capture or expulsion would be a major propaganda coup.

The Composition of the Three Colonne

The expedition was commanded by Kol. J. W. Stemfoort with three columns:

First Day — 16 June 1896

The advance began at 4 a.m. on 16 June 1896 from Lam-Permai. The 1e Colonne’s maréchaussée occupied versterkingen north of Adjé; the cavalry under Ritmeester de Lannoy scouted to Tjot Saloeran. The 2e Colonne struck Tjot Maraja, Balik Angin, and the blokhuis Toei Selimbing (stormed by compagnie Scheuer). Heavy fighting developed at Aloer Lintang, at Lam-Nga (where compagnie Jansen attacked the benteng), at Lam-Pasei (where the maréchaussée arrived at 2:30 p.m.), and at Lam-Bada (occupied at 3:10 p.m.).

The hardest fighting of the day came at the Panteh Karang redoute — a square earthen fort (redoute) that was stormed by the Ambonese maréchaussée under Dijserinck and Lamster. The storming of the Panteh Karang redoute was a sharp engagement, with the Ambonese closing under fire and breaking into the work. The Pretender-Sultan — who had been in residence at Panteh Karang — fled at the approach of the Dutch, abandoning his court and his mosque. The flight of the Pretender-Sultan was the principal political outcome of the day: his presence at Panteh Karang had given the Achehnese resistance a quasi-legitimate political figurehead, and his expulsion deprived them of that asset.

The 1e Colonne returned to bivak at Kroeng-Gloempang by evening. The losses of the day: 3 dead, 19 wounded (including one officer). Ammunition expended: 44 Gr., 29 G.K.T., 19,346 Beaumont cartridges, 5,926 repeating-rifle cartridges.

Second Day — 17 June 1896

On 17 June 1896 the operation was renewed with reinforcements — the 5e Bataljon under Lt.-Col. C. J. Laceulle (13 officers, 327 minderen, 3 companies) and a section Stufken. The 1e Colonne marched via Tjot Soegoet to Lam-Soet, burning versterkingen in the line boon-Adjé–Lam-Soet. The 2e Colonne under Van Heutsz advanced via Tjot-Rang, Lam-Goet (occupied without resistance by compagnie Linck), Tjot Preh (burned), Masdjid Lepong, to Kroeng-Kali.

The Kroeng-Kali benteng — a square redoubt, 15 m on a side, with walls 1.5 m high, defended by a a small swivel gun — was stormed by compagnie Linck under fire from the lilla. 2nd Lt. Heyligers was the first inside, accompanied by hoornblazer van Spanje and fusilier Veeges (No. 31895). 1st Lt. P. van der Molen and 2 European fusiliers were wounded. The benteng was destroyed. Heavy fighting continued around Kroeng-Kali for the rest of the day. The 2e Colonne returned to Lam-Njong and Koeta-Radja by extra train. The 2e Colonne losses: 1 native fusilier dead; 1 officer, 6 European, and 1 native fusilier wounded (the latter died of wounds); 2 kanonniers wounded. Ammunition: 41 Gr., 31 G.K.T., 700 repeater + 10,509 Beaumont cartridges (10,305 by the 5e Bataljon alone).

T. Tjoet Toengkoeb — the bendehoofd of Batoe whose benting had been the target of the night surprise of 28–29 April 1896 — and Panglima Nja Makam retreated to Lam-Tobah.

Significance

The Tuchtiging der V Moekims Montassik of 16 June–17 June 1896 was the largest single operation of the June campaign and the climactic tuchtiging of the spring 1896 counter-offensive. The principal outcomes were four. First, the bentengs and versterkingen of the V Moekims Montassik and the XIII Moekims Toengkoeb were destroyed, degrading the Achehnese defensive infrastructure in the south-western mukims. Second, the Pretender-Sultan was expelled from Panteh-Karang — a political blow that deprived the resistance of its quasi-legitimate figurehead. Third, the Kroeng-Kali benteng — a major Achehnese work that had been the target of the recapture of 4 August 1895 and that would be the target of the Ladoeng landing of 22–23 June 1896 — was at last stormed and destroyed. Fourth, T. Tjoet Toengkoeb and Panglima Nja Makam were driven from the field, retreating to Lam-Tobah. The operation was, however, costly: 3 dead and 19 wounded on 16 June 1896 alone, plus the losses of 17 June 1896 — including a native fusilier who died of wounds. The tuchtiging of the V Moekims Montassik was, in this sense, both the high point of the June campaign and the prelude to its close: within ten days Vetter would depart Atjeh, the farewell parade of 27 June 1896 would be held, and the first semester of 1896 would be brought to its close.

See Also

Source

ATJEH ‘96, door A. Kruisheer, Kapitein der Infanterie O.I.L., met 2 kaarten en 4 portretten (Weltevreden: N.V. Boekhandel Visser & Co, 1913). Instituut Kern, Leiden. OCR-filename: 20260715_163243_DLP-89-Atjeh_96_Met_2_kaarten_en4_DOORA_KRUISHEER_Kapiteinder_Infanterie_nemoretriever-ocr-v1_OCR.txt, pp. 292–318.

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