'Police action' Operation 'Kraai'

By Roel Bazuin

June 15, 2021 - 4 minutes read - 763 words

The second police action began on December 19 1948 under codename 'Kraai’^[1]. In a surprise attack with airborne troops, Sukarno and other Republican government leaders were captured. Mustangs were also used.

The Mustangs of 122 squadron were stationed at 11VB Polonia Medan and 13VB Tabing near Padang (Central Sumatra).

On both North and Central Sumatra, the squadron provided support for the advance to Fort de Kock^[2] ^[3], the landing of troops on Lake Singkarak was secured and important targets were taken out.

The same applies to North Sumatra where landings were carried out at Laboehan Bilik, Bagan Siapi Api and on Lake Toba near Sibolga.

On December 27, 1948, some aircraft were stationed at 12VB Talangbetoetoe Palembang on South Sumatra for participation in the "Ekster" campaign: the occupation of Djambi (Jambi), its airfield and the surrounding oil fields.

Some 200 sorties were carried out until the squadron was abolished in April 1950. Two Mustangs with photo cameras were also used, including those used by 18 squadron (which also flew with B-25 Mitchells).^[4]

In total, the squadron flew 206 (352 flight hours) sorties (between 21 July and 30 September) during the 2nd police action.

In March 1949 the shortage of personnel and equipment reappeared and a limit was imposed on the number of flying hours.

***Sorties 122 Squadron during the second police action***
16 december	2 C-47s of 120Sqn^[5] left from Tjililitan to Medan. From there they brought 122 Sqn personnel and equipment to 13VB Tabing at Padang that would be used for air support during a push-through to Fort de Kock.
19 december	Medan: 2 P-51’s. Padang: 7 P-51’s
	From Padang: attack from the airport at Fort de Kock (now Buketingi) and radio stations and camps in the vicinity. Further attacks on the airports of Sibolga, Siborong-borong, Lhonga, Lhokseumawe, Bireuen and Kotaradja airports near Banda Aceh in North-Sumatra.
	Support from Medan to the landing of ground troops near Laboehanbilik. Securing the advance of ground troops near Lake Singkarak and Moekoe-Moekoe after 4 Catalinas from the MLD had delivered them there.
20 december	Support for the advance of O-colonne in Central Sumatra. Attack and destruction of radio stations at Fort de Kock, where an ammunition depot was hit.
	Patrol on landing of MLD Catalina’s on Lake Toba.
	Air support landing craft at Bagan Siapi-api.
	Pariaman - Padang pandan road north of Padang
22 december	Support for ground forces by attacking transports of the Republic of Indonesia
	First UN Security Council meeting. NL was warned against continuing the hard line.
23 december	Protection of landing and dropping of 100 man troops near Balige by 5 Catalinas on Lake Toba
24 december	Support for troops at Ln-Loboe (Lobu). Standing patrol over landings at Sibolga.
	Offensive explorations and road explorations between Padangpandjang and Fort van de Capellen ^[6]
26 december	Normal offensive tasks and reconnaissance flights with photos
	Pressure on the Netherlands was raised by the UN
27 december	Transport of personnel and equipment from 13VB Tabing at Padang to 12VB Talangbetoetoe at Palembang with 2 C-47s from TransCo
28 december	Start of combined action 'Ekster': Occupation of Djambi airfield and the nearby oil fields (Kenali-Asam, Tempino and Badjoebang).
	Supply to Palembang by 2 additional C-47s from Medan with personnel and equipment, followed by 6 P-51 Mustangs
	2 UN resolutions for a ceasefire. NL must reply within 24 hours
29 december	Shooting on various targets near Djambi airfield by 121 and 122sqn with 11 P-51s.
	NL declares to the UN that December 31st a ceasefire will be announced on Java and on Sumatra 'a few days later'.
30 december	Destruction of radio stations in Loeboeklinggau, Tjoeroep and Kepahiang by 2 P-15 from Palembang.
	Attacking enemy at Kebandjahe from Medan
	Support to own troops at Sibolga
	Enemy troops under attack by 3 Mustangs en route from Palembang via Padang to Medan
	Order to stop firing on Java at midnight
5 januari 1949	Official stop of the battle in Sumatra

1. Operation kraai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Kraai

2. Fort de Kock (now Bukittinggi) was a 19th-century Dutch fortification established over a hill in Bukittinggi. Although the remnants of the mound and some cannons can still be seen, the original buildings on top of the sconce have been demolished

3. On December 22, 1948, Fort de Kock (Buketingi) was captured

4. INFO North American P-51 Mustang

5. No. 120 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF

6. Batusangkar - The town was known as Fort van der Capellen during colonial times, when it was a Dutch outpost established during the Padri War (1821–37). The city was officially renamed Batusangkar in 1949, replacing its colonial name.

history