'Police action' Operation 'Product'
By Roel Bazuin
- 4 minutes read - 841 words"The first police action, which began on July 21 1947 and ended August 5 1947, [1] was code-named "Operation Product ".
It’s goal was to get hold of rubber, tobacco, sugar, tea, etc. to help pay for the costs of the war. Estimated at 3 million Dutch Guilders per day."
In July 1947 122 Squadron only had 4 operational (fly-ready) P-51’s out of a total of 9 P-51 fighter aircraft and 10 pilots available.
During the 1st 'police action', the squadron was used in "Operation Pelikaan".
This strategy intended the elimination of the enemy AURI, who had placed enemy aircraft on Lhonga and Kotaradja airports near Banda Aceh in North-Sumatra.
Support was also given to the Dutch ground troops[2] using 250 and 500 pound bombs, 40 and 70 pound rockets and the P-51 on-board armament. Observations were done by Piper Cubs and a Lockheed L-12.
The squadron supported the advance of the troops of the Z-Brigade [3] in their advance to Arnhemia, Loeboek Pakam, Tebingtinggi, Pematang Siantar and Leboek Balai and conducted many offensive reconnaissance flights.
During the 1st police action, the 122 squadron flew 203 sorties, a total of 338 flight hours, between 21 July and 30 September [4].
After the 1st police action, the activities of the squadron were considerably lower, mainly due to a shortage of staff and spare equipment. Offensive actions would continue until the end of September 1947. Until then air forces had been in action repeatedly.
On January 17 1948 an agreement was made on board of the 'USS Renville' in Tanjong Priok, including a cease-fire clause. After this, the number of 'incidents' fell considerably.
After March 1948 they increased again. The Netherlands and the Republic were unable to reach common ground on how the agreements from the 'Renville agreement' should be implemented.
21 juli |
'Pelikaan' against Lhonga airport. I-I RI support[5] en Z-Brigade[6] met aanvallen in de buurt van Arnhemia[7]. |
22 juli |
destruction of enemy defense artillery, bombardment of trenches and positions at Arnhemia. Destruction of motorcycle column at Brastagi (13 sorties) |
23 juli |
Assignments for Staf Z-Brig. and evening explorations at Arnhemia[7]. Report positions of own troops and stop enemy troops |
24 juli |
Machine gunning targets in operating sector of Z-Brig. 3 sorties for artillery observation in the Padan sector in South-Sumatra |
25 juli |
- |
26 juli |
Attack airports Kotaradja and Lhonga. Machine gunning ground installations, hangars and anti-aircraft guns (destroyed). Exploring roads and yards along the railroad to Pemantang Siantar |
27 juli |
Numerous flights where infantry support, guarding the road network for detecting enemy ship movements were the main tasks. Explorations to the south and west of Medan (1 P-51). Shedding of leaflets and containers commissioned by Z-Brigade. Major fires observed at Baoengan (now Batang Terap) |
29 juli |
Many flights commissioned by Z-Brigade. Strafed enemy troops on the Loeboek-Pakam - Tebingtinggi road. Machine gun nests at Kedaslama rendered harmless. Machine gunned enemy traffic on the Tebingtinggi-Bangoean road. Attacked skattered troops on their way back to Pematang Siantar and Tanjong Balai. Damage to 1 P-51 (Kedaslama) |
29 juli |
Numerous times support for infantry and protection convoys between Loepoek Pakan and Tebingtinggi |
30 juli |
Support for infantry commissioned by Z-Brig. Exploring Siantar field near Brastagi by Lockheed L12, saw own troops on field and reported ready for Piper Cubs. |
31 juli |
A few times column security. Attack enemy forces at Brastagi who were building roadblocks |
1 augustus |
Exploring the W-sector and surroundings of Brastagi. Destroyed trucks at Tanjong Poera (Tanjung Pura). Strafed roadblocks at Mariah Bandar. Own columns discovered and protected. Exploring own troops on the Pematang Siantar - Kabandjahe road and Brastagi area by Lockheed L-12. Then support by P-51s. |
Resolution (Australia and India initiative) Australia adopted in UN calling on NL and IND to immediately stop hostilities |
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2 augustus |
Exploration Prapat, Brastagi and Kabandjahe who now appeared to be occupied by own troops. Observed roadblocks on the road between Pemantang Siantar and Prapat. |
3 augustus |
2 reconnaissance flights whith enemy troops were machine gunned. Observation trains near Tebingtinggi |
NL accepts UN resolution "political action goals" almost achieved " |
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4 augustus |
Support for columns near Tebingtinggi and Tandjoeng Balai. Offensive explorations between Pangkalan and Tanjong Poera and the Pematang Siantar - Prapat road. Observing occupation of Tandjoeng Balai. Support by P51s on northwest and east front troops |
The first Police action ended at midnight. |
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5 augustus |
IND orders midnight to stop firing after accepting UN resolution |