Operation 17 Agustus

Operation 17 Agustus (Indonesian: Operasi 17 Agustus) was a military operation led by Colonel Ahmad Yani which aimed to crush the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) movement in West Sumatra, specifically in Padang. This military operation is a joint operation involving the Indonesian Navy, Army and Air Force.^[1] "August 17" refers to the password used by Colonel Ahmad Yani.

Operation 17 Agustus
Part of Permesta–PRRI rebellion
Date 17 April – 24 May 1958 (1 month and 1 week) Location Padang, West Sumatera. Result Indonesian Government victory 500 PRRI soldiers surrendered PRRI was successfully crushed.
Belligerents
Indonesia	PRRI
Commanders and leaders
Sukarno Lt Gen. A.H Nasution Col. Ahmad Yani	Syafruddin Prawiranegara Assaat Dt. Mudo Col. Maludin Simbolon Lt.Col. Ahmad Husein
Strength
6,500 Indonesian army, navy, air force personnel	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	+- 500 Soldiers surrendered

The deployment of military force to crush PRRI's power was the largest ever recorded in Indonesian military history^[2][3] For three years, there was a civil war between the central army and PRRI troops which resulted in many PRRI casualties. The number of victims resulting from the short PRRI conflict was far greater than the victims of the war with the Dutch during the independence revolution.^[4] Apart from that, many were not involved in PRRI but were victims of violence such as torture, robbery, and rape.^[3][5]

Background

Main article: Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia

Col. Ahmad Dhani leading a briefing on 12 April 1958 during Operation 17 August

PRRI is a movement carried out by regional governments towards the central government. This movement, which is considered a rebellion, was triggered by the local government's dissatisfaction in several cities in Sumatra regarding the central government's fund allocation policy as well as various disparities in development, especially in areas outside Java.^[6] This sense of dissatisfaction was also supported by several military commanders.

Because of this, the central government considers that this movement must be resolved immediately by force of arms. President Sukarno gave Ahmad Yani a mandate to carry out military operations to destroy the PRRI in West Sumatra.^[7] Ahmad Yani was also given the mandate to lead TNI troops in Padang.

Chronology

April 17, 1958 was the day determined for the initial landing in Padang. At 05.00 – 06.00 WIB, shooting at the landing point was carried out by the Indonesian Navy. Then 25 minutes later, Indonesian Air Force troops using the "Red Flight" aircraft carried out shooting, followed by the "Blue Flight" aircraft. This shooting attack was aimed at Tabing airport.

Not long after, Indonesian marine troops landed via Padang Beach. In the afternoon, all joint forces successfully landed in Padang. This occupation operation lasted for one and a half months. As a result, the cities of Padang, Solok, Payakumbuh and Bukittinggi were successfully controlled by the TNI.

Results

On May 24, 1958, 500 PRRI soldiers surrendered. With this, PRRI was successfully crushed.