Monday 12 October 2009

INSIDE FORT WILLEM I AT AMBARAWA







"With the other prisoners, I was transferred by train to Fort William station in Ambarawa.
This was a prison for political prisoners, similar to the Orange Hotel in Scheveningen…
… In Fort William I had woven rice bags, one per specified number of days.
If you do not succeed, you had been beaten.
On Sunday we did not work, but we had to watch a Japanese propaganda film…"

~ Witnesses Story: Chris van der Ven, Arnhem, Netherlands ~



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The Parade Ground and Westbank Military Barrack
Strafgevangenis [Criminal Jail] Fort Willem I – 1927
Source: KITLV


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South-East Gate


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Inside the Barrel Vault
[a vault having a semicircular cross section, Also called tunnel vault]



ON MISSION

Ambarawa has an altitude about 475-50 meters above the sea level. Since 1840s, it was a plantation town, because Ambarawa has excellent climate for the agricultural products especially coffee plantation [Cultuur Stelsel]. Located in Central Java about 30 km south of Samarang [North Coast] or 80 km north of Djocja [South Coast], and surrounded by mountains as well.

From the military perspective, Ambarawa was sited near the strategic axis of Samarang – Souracarta. In the mid of 18th century, the VOC established some fortifications along the route Samarang-Oenarang-Sallatiega-Souracarta. It was designed to establish the connection between the Company and the Mataram Kingdom. Therefore, many military encampments have been established in those towns.

In period Java War 1827-30, Colonel Hoorn, Military Commander in the 2nd division to the crossroads at Bawen (where the main roads of Samarang-Djocja and Samarang-Sallatiega are united), had the bamboo sheds for storing reserve forces and provided as complementary to, if he becomes available (military logistic) in Ambarawa. This point was so convenient. Post Java War period, during Koningin Willem II, a modern fort Willem I was established in 1834-53 at that former bamboo sheds of military logistic storage.

Fort William I was formerly known as a big army camp of KNIL. The camp was connected by rail to Semarang and Yogyakarta. Present day, this fort is still purposed as penitentiary building, which sited in land of Battalion Cavalry 2 – Indonesian Forces. From Ambarawa, here we took a walk to cruise inside the Fort Willem I on Sunday, 27th of September 2009.





ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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M.A. Soetikno
A Leader of “Paguyuban Peduli Cagar Budaya – Ratu Sima”
[The Community Care for Heritage]
and “Sanggar Seni Gedong Songo”
[The Art Workshop]


This journey would not be commenced without kindness of Pak Soetikno and Pak Galih from “Paguyuban Peduli Cagar Budaya – Ratu Sima” [Community Care for Heritage] in Ungaran. For that reason, I would express my appreciation for them who occasionally accompanied me cruising within the fort.




MAP OF AMBARAWA – 1922:
RAILWAY STATION AND FORT WILLEM I
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“Java. Res. Semarang – Plat XXIIh”
Herzien door Topografischen dienst in 1922
Source: Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen





FORT WILLEM IN THE AERIAL VIEW

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Fort Willem I – 1927
Source: KITLV

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Fort Willem I - 2009
Source: Google Earth - 2009





________________________________________________________

A MEMOIR OF WILLEM I OF NETHERLANDS

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Willem I (1772-1843), Koning der Nederlanden
by J. Paelinck Peintre de S.M. La Reine des Pays Bas à Bruxelles – 1819
Source: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Prince of Nassau-Orange-Fulda
Reign 1803 - 1806

Prince of Orange-Nassau
Reign 1813 – 1815

King of the Netherlands
Reign 1813 (1815 as King) - 1840

Duke & Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Reign 1815 (same year elevated to Grand Duke) – 1840
_______________________________________________________





ARCHITECTURE

~Fortification~
Fortification is a defensive military work constructed for the purpose of strengthening a position. Included here are walls built to protect a city from hostile acts. The term is derived from the Latin fortis ("strong") and facere ("to make"). Sometimes forts are supplemented with moat around it. Aside for defensive purposes, forts are often used as dwelling or the boundary of a city.


~ Fortification Design in the Post Java War Period ~
Since the post Java War period (the calm stage after 1830), the government of Dutch Indies established some fortifications in order to strengthening territory, especially Java. We can compare the main different in architecture between the fortification in period of the Company (17th – 18th century) and Post Java War (19th century) regarding the different utility.

The Company fortifications were designed according to the rules of military architecture for emphasizing the defense work from enemy’s military attack, whereas the 19th century fortification were designed for a defense work of the military logistic.

Concerning the defense work of military logistic, the Fort Willem I has unusual design which represents the different purpose of fortification. For examples: many windows in the rampart, the bastions are not installed in the main building (no flank, means there is no part of bastion that extends from the curtain to the face), no embrasure (no opening through which missiles may be discharged).




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Housing for Military Garrison – East Bank





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The North-East Corner



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Former Military Barrack




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Stairway-1




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Stairway -2




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The Stretched Gallery and Terracotta Tile





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Remnants of Commander House




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The Classical Columns




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Remnants of Windows



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Military Building between Two Bastions




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Inside Military Building between Two Bastions




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Water Tower




_____________________________________________


THE CHRONICLES OF FORT WILLEM I


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A battalion of Dutch-Indies Army in Fort William in Ambarawa – ca. 1900
Source: KITLV


1827–30
Colonel Hoorn, Military Commander in the 2nd division to the crossroads at Bawen
established the bamboo sheds for military logistic at Ambarawa.

1834–53
A modern fort Willem I was established at the former bamboo sheds for military logistic.
This Fort was purposed as Military Camp of KNIL until 1927 (?)

1865
The terrible earthquake shook the whole military camp,
some buildings in the fort itself were destroyed.

1927
Fort Willem I was adjusted from penitentiary of children prisoner for political prisoner and adult prisoner


1942–45
Japanese internment camps,
included military barrack surrounding the fort.

1945
The headquarters of the TKR
[14th of October – 23th of November 1945]

“Bersiapkampen” – Republican Camps
During the Great Awakening period 14th October – 10th of December 1945
were in the former Dutch East Indies around 3.500 Dutch civilians were interned
by Indonesian freedom fighters inside the Fort Willem I.
Camp Commandant: Sartoso
Camp Security: former prisoners, guards and pemoedas
Leadership Camp: Mr. Zeeman


1946–50
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Fort Willem on 28th of July 1947
Source: Nationaal Archief – The Netherlands


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The new Police Troops are being trained police force
for the farewell parade in Fort William I.
Photo Collection Service for Military Contacts
Source: Nationaal Archief – The Netherlands

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The Communists from 13 Dutch troops from Salam transferred to the Republic.
Among them were Mr. Soebardjo, Mr. Iwa Koesoema Soemantri, Dr.Tjoak Sil Ien and Ir. Tajeb.
Source: Nationaal Archief – The Netherlands


1950
The fort was purposed as adult penitentiary and military barrack
[Decree of the Minister of Justice RI No. JH6.2/23/1/RI/16]

1985
The fort was purposed as children penitentiary and military barrack
[Decree of the Minister of Justice RI No 01PR/07.031/1985]

1991
The fort was purposed as II-B penitentiary and military barrack
[Decree of the Minister of Justice RI No M.10/PR/07.03/1991]

2003 – Present day
The fort was purposed as II-A penitentiary and military barrack
[Decree of the Minister of Justice and Human Rights RI No M.16.PR-07.03.2003]





POST OFFICE AT FORT WILLEM I
Below the image of a letter that sent from Fort Willem I to a Resident in Batavia in the mid of 19th century. See the stamp, “Franco – Fort Willem I Ambarawa”.

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Folding letter written in the "Vesting William / Ambarawa / 14 November 1853"
to the Resident of Batavia
Courtesy of Van Dieten Postzegel Veilingen BV
Capelle aan den IJssel, The Netherlands


_____________________________________________




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The Bell designed by by Paul van Vlissingen and Dudok van Heel – Amsterdam in 1843
It is garnished by Euro-Chinese Fret
[Fret or key pattern is a decorative design contained within a band or border, consisting of repeated, often geometric figures]

Paul van Vlissingen & Dudok van Heel :
“Koninklijke Fabriek van Stoom- en andere Werktuigen, Amsterdam”
[Royal Factory of Steam and other Tools, Amsterdam]


Paulus Cornelis van Vlissingen (1829-1906)
Directeur van de Koninklijke Fabriek Firma “Paul van Vlissingen en Dudok van Heel” 1852-1871
grootgrondbezitter in Minnesota, USA 1871-1887;
conservator van het Gemeentelijk Museum van Oudheden te Haarlem 1886-1906.


The company was founded by Paul van Vlissingen and Abraham Dudok van Heel in 1827 that supporting King William.

1826
Originally, the company was founded by Paul van Vlissingen as a place to repair steam engines on the Amsterdam Steamboat Company in Oostenburg.

1827
A former smoke house of the VOC hired to expand.
Together with Abraham Dudok van Heel was now a "Factory of Steam and Other Tools”
developed under the name Van Vlissingen & Dudok van Heel.

1850s
The factory was the one of the greatest engineering in the Netherlands.

1913
Moved to the manufacture of railway carriages and steel structures for the industrial.

1929
The telegraphic address “Werkspoor” was the official name of the company.


____________________________________________


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The Dutch Cemetery and Fort Willem I
[end of 19th century lithograph]
Source: Tropenmuseum


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The Bastion and Mountainous Landscape of Ambarawa




REFERENCES

“Werkspoor“
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werkspoor


“A Visual Dictionary of Architecture”
by Francis D.K. Ching
Published by Van Nostrand Reinhold.

“Terminologie Verdedigingswerken”
Stichting Menno van Coehoorn – Januari 2004

”Het Indisch budget van oorlog”
digitale bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse letteren
Stichting dbnl Leiden
http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_gid001186801_01/_gid001186801_01_0061.htm

Bersiapkampen: Fort Willem I
http://www.bersiapkampen.nl/Fort%20Willem%20I.htm

Voor dertien jongens betekende 'mati' echt 'dood'
Getuigenverhaal: Chris van der Ven, Arnhem – Gelderland
Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei – Amsterdam
http://www.4en5mei.nl



Friday 2 October 2009

THE SECRET COASTAL BATTERY ON PENINSULA AT TJILATJAP


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Welcome to Coastal Battery Entrance:
Moat, Rampart, and Embrasure
This coastal battery was established in 1861–79.
Coastal battery in the fortification term means stowed position near the coastline for a number of guns and sometimes performed as a separate small defense work
that merged into one organization.


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Medical Room


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ON MISSION

Started from Djokjakarta, and then traveled about 180 km to Tjilatjap on 24th of September 2009. The objective of this tempting mission is for architectural documentation by photographs and surged the history of The Coastal Battery on Peninsula at Tjilatjap, adjoining my previous humble study about fortification.

Tjilatjap is located on the South-West of Central Java, it had a busy trading port since Governor General J.J. Rochussen established a port on 29th of November 1847. The port was formed by the coast and the island of Noesa Kembangan. However, today port of Tjilatjap is less attractive for trading and military defense anymore.

Coastal Battery on Peninsula at Tjilatjap has remains the chambers for prison, ammo storage, artillery storage, tunnels for connecting the rooms, logistic and kitchen, military barrack, surveillance; also ramparts with embrasures, and moat.

It built in the period of four Governor General of Netherlands East Indies, they were Lodolf A.J.W. Baron Sloet van de Beele (1861–66), Pieter Mijer (1866–72), James Loudon (1872–75), and Johan van Landsberge (1875–81).

Now, it stands on the land property of KODAM IV/Diponegoro [Regional Military Command] about 6 hectares, shrunk from 10 hectares in original plan of 1874 for the reason of Pertamina oil refinery development. However, based on the plan, about 40% of this battery is remaining unexplored yet, hidden beneath the coastland.





____________________________________________________

THE NAVAL AND MILITARY EVENTS IN TJILATJAP

1739
The first expedition of VOC surrounding Noesa Kembangan.
Objective of this expedition was observing the Tjilatjap after
the British East India Company, “Royal George”, taking some activities in the harbor.

1812 – 1816
The British Royal Army built a small fortress to protect against the Tjilatjap Boeginese pirates in Karang Bollong (North-East top of Noesa Kembangan).

1816
Fort Karang Bollong fell into Dutch rule.

1830
[4th of December 1830]
The government of Dutch Indies had the statement that
Noesa Kembangan was included in the small garrison in Java.
In Noesa Kembangan, there were two batteries finished,
Banjoe Njappa and Karang Bollong,

1847
[29th of November 1847]
Governor General J.J. Rochussen stated that harbor of Tjilatjap was not only for
trading utility, but also on the context of military defense.

1854
Old Coast battery in the East was installed by a number of cannons.

1855
[15th of February 1855]
Establishment of military barrack for the 17th artillery in Tjilatjap city.
About 90 privates lived here.

1857
Lookout tower was established at Goenoeng Tjimering in Noesa Kembangan.

1846-60
Battery in the east of the city was established,
encountering the enemy’s hostile from the east.

1861 - 1879
The construction period of the Coastal Battery on Peninsula,
In reason of many flaws in Fort Karang Bollong, the Government makes decisions and work to build a new coastal battery in peninsula of Tjilatjap.
First construction opposite the coastal side, then continued to built in other side.

1887
[20th of January 1887]
Line of defense in Tjilatjap was proposed.
It strengthened the South Coast of Java, that remained unprotected at that time.


1888
The navy armada in Tjilatjap was established that financed by Department of Navy.
Malaria epidemic in coastline of Tjilatjap, the garrisons move out to the city.

1916
Government initiated to develop the military housing and genie office in Tjilatjap.

____________________________________________________







GEOGRAPHICAL MAP OF TJILATJAP – 1893

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Source:
(Excerpt)
Kaart van Nederlandsch-Indie 1893 [naar oorspronkelijke teekening van H.Ph.Th.Witkamp]. Printed by JH de Bussy – Amsterdam.
Collection of Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen – Amsterdam
Courtesy of Hatmanto Sri Nugroho.
Red point is location of Tjilatjap.
Island of Noesa Kembangan is sited on the southward of Tjilatjap.




CITY MAP OF TJILATJAP – 1900

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Source:
Tjilatjap, Java – Residentie Banjoemas, 1900 (excerpt)
Collection of Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen – Amsterdam
The red rectangular is location of Coastal Battery on Peninsula at Tjilatjap.






~THE COASTAL BATTERY ON PENINSULA AT TJILATJAP~

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Source:
Google Earth, 2009
The 1874 original plan consists of 10 hectares, but present day it only remains 6 hectares
for the reason of Pertamina Oil Rifenery.


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Source:
“Kustbatterij op de Landtong te Tjilatjap”
Algemen Plan Zooals het is vasteld bij Gouvernoor Besluit van 21 November 1864
No.8 met de derde detailprojecten,
22 Maart 1874.
Courtesy of Agency of Heritage Conservation
[Badan Pelestarian Peninggalan Purbakala – Jawa Tengah]







THE ARCHITECTURE

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Millitary Barrack: Looking outside




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Millitary Barrack: Looking Inside





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Haxokazemat, established in 1873
It was gun casemate built on the ramparts, has rear open chamber for gunpowder.



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Inside the haxokazemat, outward looking to the coast.



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Medical Room




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Talud (slope of a wall or glaze) of Ammo and Gunpowder Storage




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Observing the Ammo and Gunpowder Storage




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Battlement of Rifle Infantry



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Artillery Storage: Bearing Masonry Wall




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Tunnel




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Door of Logistic Storage
See the “slope of agger” outside the storage room.
Agger is attack work in the form of a dam, built around a fortress wall,
which was gradually raised to an assault on the wall as possible.



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Inside Logistic Storage 1


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Inside Logistic Storage 2




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Inside Prison Chamber







THE HISTORY OF COASTAL BATTERY ON PENINSULA
AT TJILATJAP


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The Extensive Tunnel
See the vault above, a compound vault having a central vault
intersected by vaults of lower pitch. Also called Welsh vault.

We can also see the soot (remains of carbon), which was left on the wall.
It could be the battery used torch for room lighting.




1861 - 1879
The construction period of the Coastal Battery on Peninsula.
Ammo storage established (1861), south tunnel established (1868), prison chamber established (1869), principal tunnel established (1873), military barrack established (1877).

1864
Governor decision on 21st of November refers to the third detail plan and changes.

1861 – 1942
Dutch military building

1942 – 45
Japanese military building,
some concrete military defenses and cannons added.

1945 – 49
Unknown

1950 – 52
Unoccupied

1952 – 62
Headquarter of Banteng Loreng Battalion of Indonesian Military Forces

1962 – 65
Indonesian Para Commando Regiment (RPKAD)

1965 – 86
The fort was simply neglected

1986 – 87
Conservation and preservation

1987 – Present day
Museum of “Benteng Pendem”, managed by private enterprises.



Today, about 60% of the battery has been explored and identified. The subsequently exploration for this coastal battery will surged the mystery of secret defense work in Tjilatjap. We are waiting ahead.

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REFERENCES

“Laporan Studi Kelayakan Benteng Pendem Cilacap”
Bagian Proyek Pembinaan Peninggalan Sejarah
dan Kepurbakalaan Jawa Tengah 1998/1999.

“A Visual Dictionary of Architecture”
by Francis D.K. Ching
Published by Van Nostrand Reinhold.

“Terminologie Verdedigingswerken”
Stichting Menno van Coehoorn – Januari 2004

”Het Indisch budget van oorlog”
digitale bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse letteren
Stichting dbnl Leiden
http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_gid001186801_01/_gid001186801_01_0061.htm

“Cilacap (1830-1942): Bangkit dan Runtuhnya Suatu Pelabuhan di Jawa”
By Susanto Zuhdi
Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia, 2002




><
If you have a chance to access the Nationaal Archief – Den Haag,
may these references will guide you to found more information:

#1353
Kustbatterij op de landtong te Tjilatjap. Algemeen plan met de wijzigingen
van de detailprojecten . Uitgave Batavia.
1874 (1 blad)
Schaal 1:1.000.
Bij Gouv. Besluit van 21 november 1864 nr. 8 en brief 3 juni 1874 nr. 781/4.

#5059
Project van een defensiewerk, kustbatterij te Tjilatjap. Calque.
ca. 1874 (1 blad)
Schaal 1:1.000.

#5060
Gewijzigd project van een kustbatterij te Tjilatjap.
ca. 1874 (2 bladen)
Behoort bij missive der genie Directie van 20 april 1864 1e Bureau nr. 2120.

#1352
Project eener kustbatterij op de landtong te Tjilatjap. Met de stand der
werkzaamheden.
1869 (1 blad)
Schaal 1:1.000.
Zie Gouv. Besluit van 21 november 1864 nr. 8 en missive van 24 juli 1869 nr. 350.



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