H. M. Vis — 1e Luitenant (First Lieutenant) of the K.N.I.L. — was the commander of the marechaussée brigades attached to the Dutch columns in Groot-Atjeh during the first semester of 1896, in which capacity he led the marechaussée at the relief of Biloel and Lamkoenjit on 8 April 1896, at the great tuchtiging of the IV and VI Moekims of 23–25 May 1896, and at the tuchtiging of the Lam-Krak Moekims of 9–10 June 1896. He is the principal marechaussée officer of the first semester of 1896 in ATJEH ‘96 (1913).
The 1896 campaign
Vis commanded the marechaussée brigades — three brigades of about 54 men each — attached to the relief column of Lt.-Kol. Soeters for the relief of Biloel and Lamkoenjit on 8 April 1896. The 1e Deel of ATJEH ‘96 records his leadership of the marechaussée through the actions at Nesoch, Lam-Hasan, Lam-Permai, and the Kroeng Lingkar crossings, and again at the great tuchtiging of the IV and VI Moekims of 23–25 May 1896. The Tweede Deel records his participation in the surprise of Ana’ Galoeng of 29 June, where his brigades were among the first over the palisade of the benteng (fort).
Personal leadership under fire
Vis is repeatedly mentioned in the after-action reports of ATJEH ‘96 for his personal leadership under fire, his tactical initiative, and his care for his men. At the surprise of Ana’ Galoeng on 29 June 1896, Vis and 1e Luit. Rijnen with the marechaussée brigades and the Ambonese marechaussée Walewangko (No. 9487) were the first over the palisade. After the gate was opened from inside, Vis led his brigades in pursuit of the fleeing Acehnese defenders along the riverbank.
Significance
Vis is the principal marechaussée officer of the first semester of 1896 in ATJEH ‘96. His brigades were the principal manoeuvre element of the Dutch columns of the first semester, and his personal leadership at the surprise of Ana’ Galoeng placed him at the centre of the most celebrated Dutch tactical success of the year.
See Also
- ATJEH ‘96 (book by A. Kruisheer)
- Korps Marechaussee van Atjeh en Onderhorigen
- 1896
- Relief of Biloel and Lamkoenjit (8 April 1896)
- Three-day Dutch offensive of 23–25 May 1896
- Tuchtiging of Lam-Krak Moekims (9–10 June 1896)
- Surprise of Ana’ Galoeng (29 June 1896)
- K. J. C. Rijnen
- Walewangko
- G. F. Soeters
- J. B. van Heutsz
- A. E. van Kappen
- Aceh War
Source
ATJEH ‘96. 1e Deel, door A. Kruisheer, Kapitein der Infanterie O.I.L. (Weltevreden: N.V. Boekhandel Visser & Co, 1913), Hoofdstuk I, p. 53: 3 brigades marechaussée, commandant 1e luitenant H. M. Vis, sterkte: 1 officier en 54 Eur. Amb. en inl. minderen; Hoofdstuk II passim.
ATJEH ‘96. Tweede Deel (2c Deel), door A. Kruisheer (Weltevreden: N.V. Boekhandel Visser & Co, 1913), Hoofdstuk III passim, Verrassing van Anak Galoeng op 29 Juni 1896.