Lam-Tjroeng / Daman / Lam-Poelau — written in Dutch as also Lam-Tiroeng, Lam Tjroeng, also Lam-Poclau, and Daman — were three kampongs with fortifications in the IV Moekims of Teuku Umar, attacked together on 25 May 1896 by the 3e compagnie of the 6e Bataljon in the course of the three-day Dutch offensive. As described in Kruisheer’s ATJEH ‘96, the Lam-Tjroeng versterking was seized by 2e luit. Lamster (who was first inside), the Daman versterking was stormed by 1e luit. Keetell, and the entire stelling Daman–Lam-Tjroeng–Lam-Poelau was cleared by 11:45 VM. The versterking Daman was a hill-fort near Lam-Tjroeng stormed by Janssen’s compagnie on 25 May 1896.
Description and Location
Lam-Tjroeng, Daman, and Lam-Poelau lay in the IV Moekims of Teuku Umar between the hill of Bt. Seboen on the north and the kampong of Lam-Pisang on the south-east. The three kampongs formed a continuous defensive stelling that anchored the western end of Umar’s right wing. Lam-Tjroeng had a versterking on the a hill with a versterking south of Lam-Poelau, seized by 2e luit. Lamster on 25 May 1896 (Lamster was first inside). Daman had a hill-fort stormed by 1e luit. Keetell and by Janssen’s compagnie on 25 May 1896. Lam-Poelau was the site of the earlier Dutch versterking on Bt. Seboen, and was the kampong from which the Daman bezetting began its retreat on 23 May 1896. The entire stelling Daman–Lam-Tjroeng–Lam-Poelau was cleared by 11:45 VM on 25 May 1896. The three kampongs were bounded on the west by the coastal landschap of Lepong and on the east by the valley of Beradin.
Historical Background
Lam-Tjroeng, Daman, and Lam-Poelau had been part of Teuku Umar’s territory throughout his period as Panglima Prang Besar (1893–1896). The kampong of Lam-Poelau had formerly been the site of a Dutch versterking on Bt. Seboen, which had been abandoned and then restored by Umar. The three kampongs were integrated into Umar’s elaborate defensive stelling across the IV en VI Moekims as the western anchor of his right wing, with the versterkingen of Lam-Tjroeng, Daman, and Lam-Poelau forming a continuous line. The heuvelbenteng Daman was a particularly strong position, with bamboo-thorn palisades and a small swivel cannon.
Role in the 1896 Operations
Lam-Tjroeng, Daman, and Lam-Poelau were attacked together on 25 May 1896 by the 3e compagnie of the 6e Bataljon under kapitein Jansen in the final phase of the three-day Dutch offensive. On 23 May 1896 the bezetting of Daman had begun its retreat from Lam-Poelau, and the 5e compagnie of the 12e Bataljon had fought through the valley of Beradin toward the eastern ridge. On 24 May 1896 the 5e Bataljon had captured Lam-Pisang and Umar’s dwelling. On 25 May 1896 the 3e compagnie of the 6e Bataljon stormed the stelling Daman–Lam-Tjroeng–Lam-Poelau: 2e luit. Lamster was first inside the Lam-Tjroeng versterking, 1e luit. Keetell stormed the Daman versterking, and Janssen’s compagnie talso the heuvelbenteng Daman. The entire stelling was cleared by 11:45 VM. The capture of the three kampongs completed the destruction of Teuku Umar’s defensive stelling across the IV and VI Moekims. On 4 June 1896 the two-colonne operation re-entered the area and occupied Lam-Poelau again, encountering the valley of Beradin in the course of which Toekoe Hoesin Long Bata was killed.
Significance
The capture of the stelling Daman–Lam-Tjroeng–Lam-Poelau on 25 May 1896 was the final act of the three-day Dutch offensive and the effective destruction of Teuku Umar’s defensive stelling across the IV and VI Moekims. The three kampongs had formed the western anchor of Umar’s right wing, and their fall opened the coastal landschap of Lepong to the marine bombardments that began the same day. The actions of 2e luit. Lamster, 1e luit. Keetell, and kapitein Jansen in the storming of the three versterkingen were among the most-celebrated acts of individual heroism of the offensive.
See Also
- Three-day Dutch offensive of 23–25 May 1896
- Bestorming van de Stelling Daman–Lam Tjroeng–Lam Poelau (25 May 1896)
- A. B. B. Jansen
- J. Keetell
- J. C. Lamster
- Boekit Seboen
- Lam-Pisang
- Lam-Poelau
- Beradin
- Lepong
- IV en VI Moekims
- 1896
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. 145, 181, 195, 228–232.