J. Paris was a captain of the Korps Maréchaussée who was killed during the action on the west coast of Atjeh of 1925–1927, in the engagement in which his brigade lost all but two of its men unwounded and the command devolved successively upon the wounded Javanese maréchaussée Kromo-di-Koro and the Menadonese maréchaussée Suwoek.
Death in the Westkust action
The 1930 jubilee number records that the Maréchaussée demonstrated its indispensability anew during the action on the west coast of Atjeh in 1925–1927, “waarbij kapitein J. Paris het leven liet” — in which Captain J. Paris lost his life. On the same occasion the brigade-commandant also fell.
The engagement
Of the brigade only two men remained unhurt. Besides Captain Paris, five other soldiers of lower rank were killed, and twelve were more or less severely wounded. Notwithstanding those losses, some twenty kwaadwilligen (ill-disposed persons) were laid low and twenty-six klewangs captured.
The wounded Javanese maréchaussée Kromo-di-Koro took over the command until loss of blood threatened to make him collapse, handing it on to Suwoek after first ordering shots to be fired into the surrounding alang-alang. Sumangkut, himself severely wounded, spotted a fleeing opponent and warned Suwoek, who brought the man down fifty metres further on; and Leleng, having lost the use of his left hand, fired his karabijn by gripping it between his knees.
It was after this engagement that Colonel L. A. Snell was sent from Java to the west coast, where he brought the resistance to an end.
See Also
- Gevecht waarin kapitein Paris sneuvelde (Westkust van Atjeh, 1925-1927)
- Kromo-di-Koro
- Suwoek
- Sumangkut
- Leleng
- L. A. Snell
- Westkust Resistance (1925-1927)
Account from Land en Volk van Atjeh Vroeger en Nu
Dutch Captain killed during the Bakongan-actie of 1925-1927. His remains were transported by Gouvernements Marine vessels from Oelèë Lheuë to the action area.
Source: J. Jongejans, Land en Volk van Atjeh Vroeger en Nu (Baarn: Hollandia Drukkerij N.V., c. 1938), pp. 285.
Source
Het Korps Maréchaussée in Atjeh: De Atjehsche Garde, 1890 - 2 April 1930, Extra Jubileum-nummer of Het Nieuws van den Dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië issued for the fortieth anniversary of the corps (1930), pp. 1-16. Offprint DLP-143, Bibliotheek KITLV, accession 621 116 794.
Land en Volk van Atjeh Vroeger en Nu, by J. Jongejans, Oud-Resident van het Gewest Atjeh en Onderhoorigheden, with a foreword by Dr. H. Colijn (Baarn: Hollandia Drukkerij N.V., c. 1938), pp. 285.