Lieutenant De Petit was a Dutch marine officer who commanded a marine company serving as reserve during the Adjoen engagement on 30 December 1875, and who, together with Captain De Gelder, Lieutenant Verhey, Lieutenant Mirandolle and Lieutenant Cambier, formed part of the marine detachment operating in Aceh during the winter of 1875–1876. His forces supported artillery batteries, secured the kampong after the enemy withdrew, advanced across the sawah towards Lamhasan, helped construct a bridge over the Loëng Lemo river, and participated in the subsequent march toward the Atjeh-rivier and the Blang Kala pass.
Operations in the Adjoen Engagement (1875)
During the battle on 30 December 1875, De Petit’s company acted as a reserve unit for the Dutch forces at Adjoen. After the main assault, his troops moved forward with Lieutenant Cambier’s section across the paddy field (sawah) toward Lamhasan, providing crucial support to the artillery batteries and helping to secure the kampong once the Acehnese forces withdrew. The detachment then continued its advance toward the strategic Blang Kala pass.
River Crossing and Marches (Winter 1875–1876)
In the winter months of 1875–1876, De Petit’s marine detachment was tasked with engineering and logistical duties. The unit assisted in constructing a bridge over the Loëng Lemo river, enabling the Dutch column to cross the waterway safely. Following the bridge work, the company joined the broader march toward the Atjeh-rivier, linking up with other marine officers such as Captain De Gelder, Lieutenant Verhey and Lieutenant Mirandolle as they progressed deeper into Aceh’s interior.
Significance
Lieutenant De Petit’s role illustrates the Dutch colonial military practice of maintaining a reserve marine force capable of both combat support and engineering tasks. His company’s flexibility—shifting from reserve combat duties at Adjoen to bridge construction and river crossing—demonstrates how the Dutch Marine Corps integrated infantry, artillery support, and logistical engineering to sustain offensive operations in the challenging terrain of Aceh.
See Also
- Dutch Marine Corps
- Adjoen
- Lamhasan
- Lieutenant Cambier
- General Pel
- Captain De Gelder
- Loëng Lemo
- Atjeh-rivier
- Blang Kala
Source
20260707_232246_DLP-55-De_geschiedenis_van_het_Nederlandsche_Korps_Mariniers_van_1665_1945_OCR.txt, pp. 135, 138‑141.
Verslagen der Marine‑Vereeniging III 1889‑1890, J. R. J. P. Cambier, pp. 229‑233.