Stamps issued in 1946 during Indonesian war for independence. Gibbons Simplified World Catalogue price 2014 53 pounds 40 pence. Some unused, some on piece, some imperforate, complete set. Catalogue numbers J55b-J67b (not all numbers are with b)
What city experienced the largest battle during the Indonesian war for independence? What 2 armies provided the greatest opposition to the Indonesian Republicans in this battle?
Answers accepted to noon July 3, 2021, Eastern US time unless correct answer submitted earlier. In case no winning answer submitted, earliest answer will win. Answers in English only, please. My decision as to winner is final.
Hi.
The Javan city of Surabaya experienced the largest independence battle during World War II.
British soldiers and regiments and the Japanese Army along with Dutch forces were the main opposition to Indonesian forces.
It is true that during the war in 1945, some defectors or anti-British movement related soldiers took sides with Indonesia republicans.
But the Japanese army and British Indian forces were heavily armed with foods and ammunition, modern weaponry and strong intelligence network even in those times .
The Japanese army withdrew from the war in 1946 but still they helped a lot in defeating the Indonesia republicans.
best.
Status changed to Solved(Coinman48, 3 Jul 2021, 18:32)
Subha Barua, As the only entrant, you are the winner! Thanks for taking the time to enter.
According to my sources, the greatest opposition to the Indonesian Republicans was the British Army and the British Indian Army. I'm not sure how strong the Japanese forces were (it seems strange that part of the surrender agreement was that the Japanese troops would provide security). As for Dutch forces I do not think they were at very great strength until months after the Battle of Surabaya. Very interesting historical period.
I will send you a private message requesting your address so I can ship the stamps to you. Hope you like them!
Hi Coinman48,
I like them very much since they are of high historical importance.
According to a History textbook, the Japanese were not allied with the British or even Dutch forces. They were secretly planning to conquer the region out of their own colonial interests and capture it for themselves.
They fought there until 1946.
Indeed, the history of old Malay region is very interesting and what's more, they even have a vast and diverse numismatic and philatelic history too!
One of my last collecting interests was the countries of ASEAN as it existed in the 1990s, as I had visited most of the countries, including Indonesia. But also Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, so many special stamps will still come from those countries, as well as many other countries.
