Major Romswinckel was a Dutch infantry officer in the Aceh War who became best known for his role in the Battle of Lampoe Oek (16 April 1874). In that action he tried to support Dutch patrols near Longbatta, attacked a strong Acehnese fortification, and was forced back after heavy losses. Later Dutch writers strongly disagreed over whether he had acted rashly or bravely.
The battle of 16 April 1874
On 16 April 1874, Romswinckel was sent forward with infantry and artillery to support two patrols already under heavy fire. Near Longbatta he found a fortified Acehnese position later known as Lampoe Oek. He judged that the force available was enough to attack.
According to Brutus, Romswinckel had even received oral orders to attack the position and had been supplied with lithofracteur charges in case enemy guns had to be destroyed. During the fighting, more Dutch troops and ammunition were sent to him. The action lasted for about six hours.
Defeat and blame
The Dutch could not carry the position. The ground was difficult, the defense was strong, and the attack failed. Losses were heavy. Borel wrote of nearly 100 killed and wounded, with five men missing.
After the retreat, Jan van Swieten blamed Romswinckel. Both Brutus and Borel thought this was unfair. Borel argued that Romswinckel had simply followed the spirit of the orders. Brutus went further and said that since reinforcements and supplies had been sent during the battle, it was wrong to make the field commander carry all the blame after the failure.
Later service
Romswinckel did not disappear after Lampoe Oek. He later distinguished himself again in Dutch operations at Battle of Garouw (28 June 1874), Conquest of Langkroek (28 September 1874), Battle of Longbatta (31 December 1874), and other actions of the more offensive phase that followed under Pel.
Significance
Major Romswinckel is significant because his name became tied to one of the most controversial reverses of the early war. His career shows how quickly Dutch officers in Aceh could become both battlefield actors and subjects of public argument.
See Also
- Battle of Lampoe Oek (16 April 1874)
- Longbatta
- Jan van Swieten
- Brutus
- G. F. W. Borel
- J. L. J. H. Pel
- Battle of Garouw (28 June 1874)
- Conquest of Langkroek (28 September 1874)
- 1874
- 1875
Source
Open brief aan den Generaal Knoop over de Atjeh-kwestie (naar aanleiding van den brief van Generaal Van Swieten in Het Vaderland), door Brutus (L. van Bakkenes en Co., 1874), pp. 28–30.
Onze vestiging in Atjeh, critisch beschreven, by G. F. W. Borel (The Hague: D. A. Thieme, 1878), pp. 58–73, 162, 227, 248, 262.
Atjeh gedurende de tweede expeditie en later, Een Oud Officier (Batavia: Ogilvie & Co., 1876), pp. 11–15.