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    On November 10, Indonesia celebrates Heroes Day in remembrance of the Battle of Surabaya which started on that very date in the year 1945. The bloody battle took place because Indonesians refused to surrender their weaponry to British army. British Army at that time was part of the Allied Forces. The defiant Bung Torno is the well-known revolutionary leader who played a very important role in this battle.

    The battle all started because of a misunderstanding between British troops in Jakarta and those in Surabaya, under the command of Brigadier A.W.WS. Mallaby. Brigadier Mallaby already had an agreement with Governor of East Java Mr. Surya. The agreement stated that British would not ask Indonesian troops and militia to surrender their weapons. However, a British plane from Jakarta dropped leaflets all over Surabaya. The leaflet told Indonesians to do otherwise on October 27, 1945. This action angered the Indonesian troops and militia leaders because they felt betrayed.

    On October 30, 1 945, Brigadier Mallaby was killed as he was approaching the British troops' post near Jembatan Merah or Red Bridge, Surabaya. There were many reports about the death, but it was widely believed that the Brigadier was murdered by Indonesian militia. Looking at this situation, Lieutenant General Sir Philip Christison brought in reinforcements to siege the city.

    In the early morning of November 10, 1945, British troops began to advance into Surabaya with cover from both naval and air bombardment. Although the Indonesians defended the city heroically, the city was conquered within 3 days and the whole battle lasted for 3 weeks. In total, between 6,000 and 16,000 Indonesians died while casualties on the British side were about 600 to 2000. Battle of Surabaya caused Indonesia to lose weaponry which hampered the country's independence struggle. However, the battle provoked Indonesian and international mass to rally for the country's independence which made this battle especially important for Indonesian national revolution.

Adopted from: Utami Widiati, Zuliati Rohmah, dan Furaidah, Bahasa lnggris untuk SMA/MA/SMK/MAK Kelas X Edisi Revisi Cetakan Ke-3, Jakarta, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 2017.

Why do we celebrate Heroes Day?