Battle of Palembang (1947)

The strongest Dutch defense centers were at Kuto Besak Fort, Charitas Hospital and Bagus Kuning (Plaju), while the strength of Palembang fighters was spread evenly in every Dutch defense place. On the first day after the shooting incident on Jalan Tengkuruk, Palembang fighters attacked and surrounded the Dutch troops who were defending in all sectors they had previously controlled. The battle ended at five in the afternoon, but towards evening the Dutch troops attacked again using armored weapons which resulted in several strategic places being controlled by the Dutch, such as the telegraph office, resident's office, mayor's office and post office.^[2][3]

Following on the second and third days, the Dutch again attacked the army defense center and fighters in the Palembang Grand Mosque area, but were repelled by the Geni Battalion troops along with a number of community leaders. Meanwhile, from the direction of Talang Betutu, Dutch reinforcements who were about to join the Grand Mosque were ambushed by Palembang fighters led by First Lieutenant Wahid Luddien. The fighting continued, leaving much of Palembang City destroyed. On the fourth day reinforcements for Palembang fighters arrived from Lampung under the command of Major Noerdin Pandji and from Lahat led by Lt. Gen. Harun Sohar.^[4][3]

Towards the fifth day of fighting, after shortages of logistical supplies and ammunition, both sides held a meeting between their civilian and military leaders who decided to call a ceasefire. Indonesia sent Dr. Adnan Kapau Gani as a representative from the central government to hold negotiations with the Dutch. The results of the negotiations agreed that on the Indonesian side, TRI troops and other fighters would withdraw 20 km from the city center, leaving only the ALRI, police and civil government to remain in Palembang City. Meanwhile, on the Dutch side, their outposts could only be set up 14 km from the city center. The ceasefire came into effect on January 6, 1947.^[3]