Perang Palembang vs Belanda
Illustration Battle between Palembang Sultanate against Dutch Colonials
As the sovereign of the Sultanate of Palembang led by Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II is degraded by the presence of Dutch who seek to control Tin production in nearby Bangka Island, and the humiliation received by its Sultan, Mahmud Badaruddin II by the request of Dutch Resident urging the Sultanate of Palembang Darussalam to take action against foreign invaders.
The Dutch send its first punishment expedition with two battleship towards Sultan's Fortress "Benteng Kuto Besak" in 12 June 1819, The attack towards the fort is futile and Dutch is force to retreat by lack of ammunition.
The sultan knows there will be retalliation from the Dutch, therefore they reinforced defence along the Musi river that lead to Palembang and strenghtening the resistance in Dutch controlled tin mining in Bangka Island.
The Dutch then sent its second attack fleet departed from Padang in 20 August 1819, consisting of 2000 personnel and dozens of Battleship commanded by Rear-Admiral Constantijn Johan Wolterbeek.The fleet finally reach Palembang in 20 October 1819 with heavy battles along the way (Dutch fleet took 1 month for an ordinary 4 days journey).
Arriving near Palembang's Kuto-Besak Fort, The landing troops is faced by monsoon rain and swampy terrain, which make the landing unit prone to the attack by arrows and musket from the fort and nearby defense in Kemaro Island and Plaju. While the Artilerry barrage from the ship is unsuccssful to penetrate 2-metres thick wall of the fort, the 129 heavy cannons of the fort pounding heavily upon the Dutch fleet. After lost 2 of it's ship, namely Arimus Marinus and Eendragt. The Dutch Fleet finally retreat and withdraw from attack in 30 October 1819 wihout success. Due to the heavy fighting and bad monsoon rain the Dutch fleet finally Arrived in Batavia, on 1 May 1820 with Wolterbeek seriously ill, and its soldiers died from wound and sickness. Both the battle in 1819 is victoriously won by Sultanate of Palembang.
The sultanate is gain preserve their sovereignity upon the European domination, and Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II is rebuilding again their war-torn country with heavy cost. The battle is also cost heavily upon the Sultanate of Palembang's forces, The fort fire power is reduced from 129 cannon to 75 cannon, while the stregth of defense of forts in Kemaro Island and plaju is deeply weakened to resist further superior Dutch attack in 1821.
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