Lamprit was a Dutch fortified post in the XXVI Moekims, north of the Atjeh River in Groot-Atjeh, standing close to the dreaded kampong Pinang whose hostile garrison of the enemy made it one of the most tormented works of the northern chain in 1875–1876. It was the object of a grass-fire attack (8 February 1876) and of the careful double night attack of 21-22 April 1876.
The post and its situation
Lamprit belonged to the chain of small posts — Tibang, Lamara Northeast and Southeast, Langkroek and Langkroek East and Moesapi — planted in the marshes along the left bank of the Kroeëng Titi Pandjang, which had to observe that river and the enemy ground east of it, to forbid fishing and salt making, and to protect the large settlement at Penajoeng against surprises. The post commander could let his patrols eastward go only as far as just past the edge of kampong Pinang: the ground beyond became soon too intersected for small parties.
The enemy across the face
From the end of the enemy works at kampong Pinang the post stood within musket call of the strongest hostile position of the region. The year 1876 wrote on Lamprit the whole arsenal of the guerilla: the dry-grass fire of 8 February, blown against the work by the east wind; watch-fires lit around the kampong edge after dark; attempts to creep up by moonlight; and, in April, the midnight burst into the kitchen shed fifteen paces outside the gate in which five forced-labourers were slaughtered, and the second failed attempt at half past four. After the enemy works at kampong Pinang had been rendered harmless within the active days of Pel’s campaign, the post was reduced in garrison; but so long as the ground to the east belonged wholly to the enemy, it had to remain in strength.
The same summer saw the post fired on frequently. Only in the months when a road had been built through kampong Tjiri and the terrain cleared around Oleh Karang and Pango did daily communication with Kota Alam become possible.
See Also
- Grass-fire attack on Lamprit (8 February 1876)
- Night attack on Lamprit (21-22 April 1876)
- Pinang (kampong)
- Noordoosterlinie
- Guerilla warfare in Groot-Atjeh
Source
Atjeh van 26 December 1875 tot 4 September 1876, door H. F. Meijer (Breda: P. B. Nieuwenhuijs, 1883), chapters I, IV (pp. 80–81) and VI–VII.