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The police actions (Dutch: politionele acties) were the two military operations that the Netherlands undertook on Java and Sumatra against the Republic of Indonesia to reestablish colonial rule after World War Two. The first operation took place from July 21 until August 5 1947, the second in December 1948 and January 1949. The operations took place during the time of the Indonesian fight for independence.
Events leading to the Police Actions The Netherlands disagreed with the declaration of Indonesian independence after the Japanese capitulation, and together with British forces succeeding in fully reoccupying all constituent islands except Java and Sumatra. On the latter two, constant skirmishes continued between Dutch and Republican troops. Eventually a ceasefire was declared and negotiations took place leading to a political accord in the Agreement of Linggadjati. First Police Action (Operatie Product) The first 'police action' took place after - according to the Dutch administration - Indonesia cooperated insufficiently in the implementation of the agreement, which had on March 25 1947 been ratified by the lower chamber of the Dutch parliament. Operation 'Product', set up by General Simon Spoor, was supposed to lead to the occupation of the economically important areas in West and East Java, leaving Yogyakarta, the seat of the Republican government, alone because of the high costs that the fighting was expected to incur. This operation actually did result in the occupation of large parts of Java and Sumatra, since the Republican army (TNI) offered only weak resistance. Nevertheless, the TNI and its allies continued to conduct guerilla operations in Dutch-controlled territory. Soon after the military operation, the United Nations became involved, leading to the announcement of a ceasefire in January of 1948, soon followed by a formal armistice. As a consequence, what was previously considered to be an internal Dutch affair now took on an international dimension. Second Police Action (Operatie Kraai) The second 'police action' had the goal to force the Republic to cooperate with the Dutch government in the implementation of the federalist policy as stipulated in the Linggadjati Agreement. The purpose was to organize the new Indonesia as a federal state that would remain closy associated with the Netherlands. Another issue playing a role in the decision were alleged breaches of the armistice by the Indonesians. During this operation (kraai = Dutch 'crow'), Yogyakarta was attacked directly and the Indonesian administration, including president Sukarno, was put under arrest. Furthermore, all major cities and roads on Java were occupied. This Dutch attempt to effectively eliminate the Republic failed because of UN intervention, an international boycott of Dutch shipping and airplanes, and stubborn resistance by the Republican guerilla, ending only in August of 1949 through a new ceasefire agreement. Eventually the Netherlands, under strong pressure by the United States, recognized Indonesian independence. In both 'police actions', more than 100,000 Dutch troops were involved. This number makes obvious the fact that the operations did not constitute limited police actions as claimed by the Dutch government, but full-fledged military campaigns. Overall, the Dutch suffered approximately 5000 fatalities, the death toll on the Indonesian side is estimated to be as high as 150,000. | ||||||||
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