Battle of Surabaya
Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
What happened
Indonesian nationalist fighters, militia and student volunteers fought British and British Indian troops. After the Second World War, British Indian troops came to Surabaya to evacuate European internees. Fighting broke out in late October after the British commander, Brigadier Mallaby, fell in a confused incident. On 10 November the British launched a major advance, and fighting went on for weeks.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It became a national symbol of resistance and helped win Indonesian and international support for independence. 10 November is now Heroes' Day in Indonesia.
What came next
British forces occupied Surabaya until November 1946, when the last British troops left Indonesia. The Heroes Monument in Surabaya, opened on 10 November 1952, honours the fighters.
Did you know?
In September 1945, nationalists climbed onto the Hotel Yamato and tore the blue stripe off a Dutch flag, turning it into the red-and-white Indonesian flag.
Timeline
- 19 September 1945The Hotel Yamato flag incident.
- 27 October 1945The battle begins.
- 10 November 1945The British launch their main advance.
- 2 December 1945The fighting ends.
- 10 November 1952The Heroes Monument opens.