Japanese Era Voluntary Army, Embryo of Indonesian Defense

After Japan's defeat, PETA and Giyugun, which were formed by Japan, became the backbone of the war for independence.

UNDEFINED

The front page of the book is entitled Giyugun: Voluntary Soldiers during the Japanese Occupation of Java and Sumatra.

Japan's arrival in Indonesia was welcomed like an older brother who had been freed from centuries of colonialism. However, for Japan, they were exploring the southern region in order to take natural resources and humans for their interests in the Asia-Pacific War. For Japan, the existence of vast resources could become a subject of contention for other countries, including the return of the Dutch. It is for this anticipation that Japan created a security system that involves natives as its soldiers.

There are various security devices created by Japan, such as Heiho, Kenpentai, Keibodan, and Seinendan. All these security agencies were led by direct Japanese. However, there are several security agencies which are voluntary and whose leadership involves natives, namely Defenders of the Homeland (PETA) and Giyugun or referred to as Volunteer Army.

The issue of PETA and Giyugun is interesting because of its voluntary nature, but it turned out to have a big impact after Japan lost World War II. This is what is discussed in the book entitled Giyugun: Voluntary Soldiers during the Japanese Occupation of Java and Sumatra by Aiko kurangawa (Kompas Book Publishers, 2024). For Aiko, this book is like nostalgia because it is her first writing about the history of Indonesia during the Japanese era, which later became the focus of her research for almost half a century.

In the first section that discusses PETA, Aiko was fortunate enough to be able to interview surviving members of PETA from the 1970s. Additionally, the second section that discusses Giyugun in Sumatra is also special for Aiko. This work is a translation of her research that was presented to Benedict Anderson while pursuing her PhD at Cornell University, USA.

This book serves as a gateway for those who wish to study the history of Japan's era in Indonesia and military history. According to Aiko, PETA and Giyugun were among the embryos of the formation of the Indonesian National Army. In this book, Aiko shows that several officers and PETA alumni later became the backbone of security during Indonesia's independence.

Reason for formation

The formation of PETA and Giyugun was actually planned shortly after the Japanese landed in Indonesia. At that time, Japan thought about increasing its defense forces by utilizing indigenous manpower. Especially considering that many of the Japanese soldiers were sent to the battlefield, resulting in a shortage of manpower in Java and Sumatra. However, one year after Japan occupied Indonesia, this plan had not been realized. Japan still won in various battles and Japan's defense force in Southeast Asia was still quite strong.

However, one of the deputy chiefs of staff from the Nanpo Sogun Headquarters, Major General Inada Masazumi, continued to insist that this plan could be implemented. In July 1943, Inada visited Java to inspect security forces in Indonesia. In his analysis, Inada argued that the forces could be more effective as a defense force if led by Indonesian officers themselves. At that time, almost all Japanese security bodies in Indonesia were led by Japanese people.

Inada's analysis is quite reasonable considering that many Indonesians are disappointed with Japan's plan to grant independence to Myanmar and the Philippines, while Indonesia is not promised anything. That is why, in addition to increasing Indonesian nationalism, Inada intends to win the hearts of the Indonesian people by forming a troop led directly by natives.

In the plan for forming the Sukarela Battalion, there is a historical event that many people are not aware of. Gatot Mangkupradja played a role as the proposer and initiator of the Sukarela Battalion. Japan is still considered the initiator, but Indonesians are involved as its extended arm.

According to Aiko, there are several reasons why Japan chose Gatot as the initiator of the Volunteer Corps. First, the Japanese military government believed that influential national politicians should not have control in forming the Volunteer Corps, so Japan did not choose Soekarno-Hatta. Second, the initiator had to be someone who was well-known in Indonesian society to a certain extent.

Gatot was chosen because he met both requirements. He is not a very popular figure like Soekarno and Hatta. However, Gatot is still quite well-known for being active in the Indonesian National Party before the war. In addition, Gatot has also had connections with Japan long before the occupation period. In 1933, Gatot went to Tokyo to attend the Pan Asiatic Congress I. When Japan occupied Indonesia, Gatot had also been in touch with the Sanbo-bu-Beppan office, or the Intelligence Section of the Japanese Army Staff.

This statement is also reinforced by Japanese officers such as Lieutenant Yanagawa and Lieutenant Tsuchiya. According to them, Beppan chose Gatot because he is a nationalist who is closest to Beppan. Gatot has been like a personal advisor to Beppan and has a good relationship with its members.

Therefore, on September 7th, 1943, Gatot wrote his letter of request to form a Volunteer Brigade at the request of Officer Beppan. One month later, precisely on October 3rd, 1943, Gatot's request was accepted and then forwarded by Lieutenant General Harada Kumakichi by issuing instructions to form a volunteer force.

With the formation of PETA and Giyugun, Aiko Kurasawa concludes in her book that both parties between Japan and Indonesia had hidden missions. For Japan, the formation of the Volunteer Brigade was not only to win the hearts of the Indonesian people, but also to increase Japan's power especially in Java and Sumatra. This is in line with Japan's preparation in 1943 if the Allies were to attack.

For the Indonesian side, the presence of PETA and Giyugun in the Voluntary Front is actually considered good. Some Indonesian nationalists thought that Indonesia needed to have its own army to spearhead the military struggle to achieve independence. Moreover, during the Dutch colonial era, Indonesian people were not prepared to form a defense line ready to fight. This is what then underlies the Voluntary Front formed by Japan which played a big role in the war of independence and was the pioneer of TNI.

TNI Embryo

The dropping of atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9 1945 forced Japan to surrender. This incident was then followed by the proclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17 1945. Japan, which had to leave Indonesian soil, announced that Barisan Voluntary and the security agencies under Japan were disbanded.

However, shortly after hearing the news of Indonesia's independence, the soldiers returned at the call of their former officers. Indonesian officers asked all soldiers to form armed lines in their respective places. Most of them were also pulled into the People's Security Agency (BKR) which later became the Indonesian National Army (TNI).

The role of former officers of the Barisan Sukarela is significant. They are still young, have a strong spirit, and have good military techniques and leadership abilities. Although their knowledge in military sciences may not be as extensive as former KNIL (Koninklijk Netherlands Indische Leger) officers who were educated at the Dutch Military Academy for a longer period of time.

However, according to Aiko Kurasawa, there are at least three traits that make PETA officers superior to KNIL officers. First, in terms of quantity, PETA officers are more numerous than KNIL officers. Second, PETA officers are more nationalist because at the beginning of its formation, Japan propagated anti-Western sentiments which were later used by nationalists to achieve independence. Third, PETA officers have many subordinates with close relationships that can be mobilized to achieve their goals.

Many former members of the PETA continued their careers in the Indonesian Armed Forces. In fact, one successful example is the Great General Sudirman, who was appointed as the first commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces. However, some important positions in the Headquarters and General Staff, which require strategic knowledge, are still occupied by former KNIL officers. (Kompas Research/DNG)

Book Data

Title: Giyugun: Volunteer Soldiers during the Japanese Occupation of Java and Sumatra

Author: Aiko kurawa

Publisher: Kompas Book Publishers

Year of publication: 2024

Number of pages: xviii + 156 pages

ISBN: 978-623-160-469-9