Battle of Kumai | |||||||
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Part of the Indonesian National Revolution | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
250 | Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
50 killed | 21 killed |
Battle of Kumai (Indonesian: Pertempuran Kumai) or also known locally as Battle of 14 January (Indonesian: Pertempuran 14 Januari) was a clash between Netherlands Indies Civil Administration and Royal Netherlands East Indies Army against Indonesian militias in town of Kumai, Central Kalimantan.[1] Indonesian militias, consisted of mostly pemuda (youths), newly formed Indonesian Army, and armed Islamic cleric militia; known as Barisan Ulama (Ulema Front) or Barisan Berjenggot (Bearded Front), confronted Dutch armed convoys that tried to land in the port.[1][2]
The convoy with strength of around 250, was shot from harbour by militias before made a landing, preventing them to do so.[3] As the result, 50 Dutch soldiers died while 21 recorded also died from Republican side, and the convoy was diverted away from the town.[3]
The battle was reported by delegation of Indonesian nationalist from Borneo in militia commander meeting in Yogyakarta, 21 February 1946. From those delegations are from Laskar Kalimantan (lit: Kalimantan Troops) and also from Barisan Ulema.[3]