23 March 1929
Thud thud thud
The sound of firm, steady, and synchronized footsteps echoed across the main field of the Headquarters complex. There, ten battalions marched one by one past an inspection platform, upon which stood several individuals wearing high-ranking officer uniforms.
Musical accompaniment
The sound of music from the military band also filled the air. They played traditional German imperial marches, one of which was "Preußen Gloria", a song once used by the German Empire for military parades and still employed by the Weimar Republic at present.
In one of the battalions, a young man wearing a green KNIL uniform and holding the rank of Colonel marched at the front while swinging his ceremonial sword. He raised it to the level of his lips, then shouted loudly.
"Salute! Right—haupt!" he commanded, immediately lowering his sword to knee height and turning his head to the right.
Behind him, the battalion's standard bearer lowered the flag to waist level. The banner bore the image of a golden eagle clutching a ribbon inscribed "Battalion 20" in its left talon and a sword in its right.
Behind the standard bearer stood six company commanders with the rank of Captain, all rendering a right salute just like their battalion commander.
Behind the company commanders were 1,200 personnel wearing dark green KNIL uniforms and steel helmets resembling the German Imperial M16, painted green. On their backs were backpacks containing eating utensils, rations, and neatly rolled individual tents.
In their left hands, they carried Gewehr 98 rifles fitted with long bayonets at the muzzle.
When the commander shouted "right salute," they all turned their heads to the right in unison, except for the rightmost file of the formation, who continued staring straight ahead.
Their footsteps were perfectly synchronized, without any irregular sounds like the clatter of horses' hooves.
The marching troops passed in front of a large platform, upon which stood Soemarmo, returning the military salute to the formation.
"This time, I will win," he murmured to himself, gazing with determination as the ranks marched past him one after another.
..
After witnessing the farewell parade of the new battalion of the independence army, Soemarmo decided to gather everyone within his faction, known as the Greater Indonesia Movement, or Gerakan Indonesia Raya (Gerindra).
Various individuals had already arrived and were seated in the provided chairs. Soemarmo noticed several unfamiliar faces among them. He glanced at the reports in his hands and began to disclose their contents to the others.
"Gentlemen, based on the progress of this war of independence, we now almost entirely control Central and Western Indonesia. Our forces are superior to the KNIL and the local pro-Dutch troops," Soemarmo explained, outlining the developments of the past three months.
"In Sumatra, we have completely secured the region. In Java, only Greater Bandung and southern Java—such as Yogyakarta and Surakarta—still maintain strong Dutch bases," he continued, looking intently at everyone listening to him.
In particular, in Yogyakarta and Surakarta, many pro-Dutch nobles still held power. Especially in Surakarta, the Dutch still relied on Duke Mangkunegara VII, the leader of the strongest native KNIL force in southern Java.
Their troops were at least on par with regular KNIL units. With sufficiently complete armaments, even the Surakarta Sunanate's forces were weaker in comparison.
"We have also received a secret letter from Yogyakarta stating that His Majesty Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII agrees to support us, as long as the Sultanate continues to exist within the Republic," Soemarmo revealed the Sultan's intentions. The Sultan was even prepared to provide aid in the form of rice, meat, and funds totaling 12 million guilders, on the condition that the Sultanate remained intact within the Republic.
"In Kalimantan, we have defeated the pro-Dutch forces in Pontianak and forced Sultan Syarif Muhammad to surrender and support us. However, the regions around Mandor, Singkawang, and Sambas are still held by pro-Dutch forces under the leadership of Li Jiansheng," he continued.
Indeed, the pro-Dutch forces supported by the remnants of the Lanfang Republic in West Kalimantan were still active, led by Li Jiansheng, a KNIL Major stationed at the Dutch headquarters in West Kalimantan.
These regions were known for having large ethnic Chinese populations, and they had once been the territory of the Lanfang Republic before it was eventually conquered by the Dutch.
"As for Sulawesi, we have managed to reach Manado. However, resistance from the Christian population there has somewhat frustrated our frontline troops," Soemarmo explained.
Naturally, there were several Christian groups who sided with him, but the majority in the region still supported the Dutch.
"Commander, if I may. Allow me to go to Manado. I am originally from there—perhaps I can negotiate with them," said a young man in civilian attire, wearing a colonial-style white suit, raising his hand.
The man had light yellowish skin and facial features slightly resembling those of a Chinese person. He was Wilhemus Alexander Tumiwa, a negotiator discovered by Soemarmo during recruitment.
"..." Soemarmo looked at him briefly, then asked, "How great are the chances?"
"My apologies, Your Excellency Commander. I cannot be certain. But I can assure you—this will succeed," Wilhemus shook his head. He could not guarantee the outcome, but he offered confidence in his ability to negotiate with the Christians of Manado.
"...." Soemarmo fell silent, his fingers tapping the table slowly, deep in thought.
"Commander, I think this is worth trying," Paul, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up.
Indeed, war is not won by weapons alone, but also by negotiation, Soemarmo thought, recalling his past experiences.
"Very well. I will arrange your departure," Soemarmo nodded in agreement. He then turned to his German companion who had been with him since the latter stages of the Great War. "And Paul, inform Lieutenant General Abdullah. I am sending a negotiator to speak with the people of Manado."
"Yes, Commander!" Paul stood and saluted.
"Good. For now, the Sulawesi issue is addressed. Let us move on to the other matters," Soemarmo sighed and continued.
In North Maluku, particularly the Sultanates of Ternate and Tidore, they agreed to support independence and were ready to negotiate their future with Soemarmo's faction.
However, in South Maluku, Dutch influence was deeply entrenched. As a result, the independence forces encountered numerous obstacles, including logistical sabotage.
In Papua, over the past three months, the independence forces successfully occupied western Papua up to Bintuni Bay. Thanks to the support of the Sultanates of Ternate and Tidore, which provided logistical assistance and manpower to reinforce the offensive.
However, the terrain consisted of ancient forests never previously accessed by humans, making operations extremely difficult.
From Sorong, which was already under independence control, they would later depart by ship to attack Hollandia in the east.
(A/N: Hollandia is the former name of Jayapura.)
In East Nusa Tenggara, thanks to assistance from the Kingdom of Bima and the Kingdom of Bali, they finally managed to defeat the pro-Dutch forces there.
"Now, our final step is to seize Greater Bandung. With the fall of the KNIL command center, we will achieve full independence," Soemarmo declared, convincing everyone that only one step remained before freedom from Dutch colonial rule.
However, just as he began outlining the plan to occupy Greater Bandung, the double doors of the meeting hall suddenly burst open, causing several military members—including Soemarmo—to frown. This was clearly a breach of protocol.
Several civilians turned their heads in confusion and surprise.
Soemarmo turned to reprimand the intruder, but the words he was about to speak vanished, replaced by a stunned expression.
The figure who had entered was a middle-aged German man. He had light brownish-white skin, light brown hair, and sharp pale blue eyes. He wore a green KNIL uniform with the rank insignia of Lieutenant Colonel and a tilted officer's cap.
"Alois, what is it?" Soemarmo asked, confused by the sudden arrival of Alois Weizmann, the Head of Intelligence and Counterintelligence of their faction.
"My apologies, Your Excellency. I have just received urgent news from my subordinates. This is important!" Alois replied, saluting sharply.
Soemarmo nodded in response and urged him to explain.
Alois then detailed the report he had received. Most nobles and regents in Java—former Dutch territories recently liberated by the Independence Army—refused to support Indonesian independence.
Many of them still sympathized with their former masters. Some logistics shipments heading to Greater Bandung through the northern and southern routes had even been sabotaged by them.
Hearing this, not only Soemarmo but everyone present slammed the table in anger. Soemarmo growled and glared sharply at Alois.
"Traitors to the nation! Alois! Use every means necessary! Teach them a lesson they will never forget! Strip them of all their wealth!"
Receiving his first direct order for intelligence operations, Alois smiled inwardly with satisfaction and saluted enthusiastically.
"Yes, Commander!"
He then turned and exited the meeting room.
"Commander, are you certain about this? Actions like this could damage your reputation," said a mature man with European features, expressing concern over Soemarmo's order.
He was Ernest Douwes Dekker, founder of the Indische Party before it dissolved and was absorbed into Soemarmo's Gerindra faction.
Ernest was a pure-blooded Dutchman, yet he deeply loved this land. He sympathized with the indigenous people oppressed by his own nation and treated as third-class citizens beneath Europeans and other Asian races.
So deep was his love for this land that he established the Institut Ksatria in Bandung with his second wife, Johanna Petronella Mossel, who shared his affection for the country.
However, due to the revolutionary war, both Ernest and his wife were forced to close the school and work within Gerindra as advisors and literacy instructors for the independence army recruits.
Indeed, the recruitment standards set by Soemarmo were remarkably high for a revolution. Every soldier had to be able to read and write. Those who could not were required to pass rigorous physical examinations.
This was crucial. For Soemarmo, who had once served in the German Empire, the quality of soldiers was a formidable weapon. A soldier unable to read, write, or determine direction was, in his view, a fool.
And if an entire military division of thousands lacked literacy, that was an enormous failure.
War was not judged solely by strategy, but also by the reasoning ability of the soldiers—how well they could execute orders.
"It doesn't matter. This also serves as a warning. Anyone who rebels or sabotages will share the same fate as these regents and nobles," Soemarmo waved calmly, though his anger still lingered.
"Now, we begin the Bandung Sea of Fire plan," Soemarmo announced, naming the operation: Bandung Lautan Api.