Kuta Reh massacre

Kuta Reh massacre
Part of the Aceh War
Trenches strewn with corpses in Kuta Reh after its capture on 14 June 1904. On the left a number of Dutch troops can be seen.
200km 124miles 3°27′58″N 97°48′54″E / 3.46611°N 97.81500°E / 3.46611; 97.81500
Date	14 June 1904 (1904-06-14)
Attack type	massacre
Deaths	563 (including 2 Dutch soldiers)
Victims	defenders and inhabitants of Kuta Reh
Perpetrators	Korps Marechaussee te voet (KNIL)

Part of a series on the
History of Indonesia
Timeline
Prehistory Paleolithic Java Man 1,000,000 BP Flores Man 94,000–12,000 BP Neolithic Toba catastrophe 75,000 BP Buni culture 400 BCE
Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms Kutai Kingdom 350–1605 Tarumanagara Kingdom 400s–500s Kantoli 400s-500s Kalingga Kingdom 500s–600s Melayu Kingdom 600s–1347 Srivijaya Empire 600s–1025 Shailendra Dynasty 600s–900s Mataram Kingdom 716–1016 Bali Kingdom 914–1908 Sunda Kingdom 932–1579 Kahuripan Kingdom 1019–1045 Kediri Kingdom 1045–1221 Dharmasraya Kingdom 1183–1347 Pannai Kingdom 1000s–1300s Singhasari Empire 1222–1292 Majapahit Empire 1293–1527
Islamic sultanates Spread of Islam 800–1600 Peureulak Sultanate 840–1292 Aru Kingdom 1225–1613 Ternate Sultanate 1257–1914 Samudera Pasai Sultanate 1267–1521 Pagaruyung Kingdom 1347–1833 Brunei Sultanate 1368–1888 Malacca Sultanate 1400–1511 Sulu Sultanate 1405–1851 Cirebon Sultanate 1445–1677 Demak Sultanate 1475–1554 Aceh Sultanate 1496–1903 Sultanate of Ternate 1486–1914 Sultanate of Bacan 1515–1946 Sultanate of Tidore 1500s–1967 Sultanate of Jailolo 1496–1903 Banten Sultanate 1526–1813 Banjar Sultanate 1526–1863 Kalinyamat Sultanate 1527–1599 Mataram Sultanate 1500s–1700s Johor Sultanate 1528s–1877 Kingdom of Kaimana 1600s–1926 Palembang Sultanate 1659–1823 Siak Sultanate 1725–1946 Surakarta Sunanate 1745–1946 Yogyakarta Sultanate 1755–1945 Deli Sultanate 1814–1946 Riau-Lingga Sultanate 1824–1911
Christian kingdoms Larantuka Kingdom 1515–1904 Kingdom of Bolaang Mongondow 1670–1950
Chinese Kongsi federations Heshun Confederation 1776–1854 Lanfang Republic 1777–1884 Santiaogou Republic 1777–1853
European colonization Portuguese 1512–1850 Spanish 1521–1677 Dutch East India Company 1602–1799 British 1685–1824 French and British interregnum 1806–1816 Dutch East Indies 1800–1942 1945–1949
Emergence of Indonesia National Awakening 1908–1942 Japanese occupation 1942–1945 National Revolution 1945–1949 United States of Indonesia 1949–1950
Republic of Indonesia Liberal democracy 1950–1959 Guided Democracy 1959–1966 Transition 1966–1967 New Order 1967–1998 Reform era 1998–present
Regions Jakarta Bali Bogor Bandung
By topic Agriculture Archaeology Currency Economy Education Javanese historical texts Religion Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Islam Judaism Mass media Military Sport Women
Indonesia portal
v t e

The Kuta Reh massacre (Dutch: Bloedbad van Koetoh Reh, Indonesian: Tragedi Benteng Kuta Reh) was committed by the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) on 14 June 1904 in present-day Kuta Rih, Aceh during the Aceh War. Troops of the Korps Marechaussee te voet under general G.C.E. van Daalen defeated the defenders of the fortified village and massacred most of its inhabitants.^[1]

Attack and massacre

The Alas villagers of the kampung Kuta Reh had decided not to surrender after the Dutch annexation of the Aceh Sultanate in 1903. They only had an earthen wall and 75 old-fashioned muzzleloaders for defense. Van Daalen, who was accustomed to using a 'complete surrender or complete death' tactic, ordered the village to be attacked. In the ensuing massacre, 313 men, 189 women and 59 children were shot dead. Two of the Dutch attackers were also killed.^[1] About the attack, adjutant J.C.J. Kempees wrote later that year:

When the Marechaussees were on shore, it turned out that there was a dense crowd of men, women and children inside. This was a most critical moment for our men, for if from that mass a counter-attack was launched against the breastwork, then they would surely be thrown back by their numerical inferiority. It was therefore necessary to keep these throngs at bay by rapid fire. The fairly good overview of the interior space, which made it possible for units to the side to join in, benefited us in this regard. The effect of the fire was tremendous. Each bullet made several hits in these close ranks, and in a very short time the bloody drama was over, and the most dangerous of throngs lay before us. (…) The commander (…) when the immediate danger to our troops had passed, had the signal to cease firing blown, which was complied with. But counter-attacks were still launched, so that fire had to be opened again. (…) Especially on the right wing, where Christoffel stood with his brigades, this often occurred. After we had fully mastered the situation, the order to halt on the breastwork for a few moments was given to regain full control of the troops, and to allow the excitement time to settle down.^[2]

The entire attack lasted no more than an hour and a half.^[1] Van Daalen had himself photographed to celebrate the victory.

Aftermath

Outrage over the Kuta Reh massacre and a visit of mayor Ed van Thijn to Indonesia under Suharto contributed to the September 1984 bombing of the Van Heutsz Monument in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.^[3][4]

See also

• South Sulawesi campaign of 1946–1947
• Rawagede massacre
• Rengat massacre

References