Sudirman

General of the Army Raden Soedirman (Perfected Spelling: Sudirman; 24 January 1916 – 29 January 1950) was a high-ranking Indonesian military officer during the Indonesian National Revolution. The first commander-in-chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces, he continues to be widely respected in Indonesia. Born in Purbalingga, Dutch East Indies, to a commoner and his wife, Sudirman was adopted by his uncle, a noble. After the family moved to Cilacap in 1916, Sudirman was raised to be a diligent student; he was also highly active in extra-curricular activities, including a scouting programme run by the Islamic organisation Muhammadiyah. While still in middle school, Sudirman showed leadership and organisational skills and became respected within the community for his devotion to Islam. After dropping out of teacher's college, in 1936 he began working as a teacher, and later headmaster, at a Muhammadiyah-run elementary school; he was also active with several other Muhammadiyah programs, becoming the leader of the Muhmmadiyah Youth Group in 1937. After the Japanese occupied the Indies in 1942, Sudirman continued to teach. In 1944, he joined the Japanese-sponsored Defenders of the Homeland as a battalion commander in Banyumas. In this position he put down a rebellion by his fellow soldiers, but was later interned in Bogor.

After Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945, Sudirman led a break-out from the detention centre, then went to Jakarta to meet President Sukarno. He was tasked with overseeing the surrender of Japanese soldiers in Banyumas, which he did after establishing a local division of the People's Safety Body. His command was made part of the Fifth Division on 20 October by interim commander-in-chief Oerip Soemohardjo, with Sudirman in charge of the division. On 12 November 1945, at an election to decide the military's commander-in-chief in Yogyakarta, Sudirman was chosen over Oerip in a close vote; Oerip, who had been in the military before Sudirman was born, was made chief of staff. While waiting to be confirmed, Sudirman ordered an assault on British and Dutch forces stationed in Ambarawa. The ensuing battle and British withdrawal strengthened Sudirman's popular support, and he was ultimately confirmed on 18 December. During the following three years Sudirman saw negotiations with the returning Dutch colonial forces fail, first after the Linggadjati Agreement – which Sudirman participated in drafting – and then the Renville Agreement – which led to Indonesia granting land taken during Operation Product to the Dutch forces and the withdrawal of 35,000 Indonesian troops. He was also faced with internal dissent, including a 1948 coup d'état attempt. He later blamed these issues for his tuberculosis; the infection led to his right lung being collapsed in November 1948.

On 19 December 1948, several days after Sudirman's release from the hospital, the Dutch launched Operation Kraai, an attempt to capture Yogyakarta. While the political leadership took shelter at the sultan's palace, Sudirman, a small group of soldiers, and his personal doctor went south and began a seven-month guerrilla campaign. Initially followed by Dutch forces, Sudirman escaped and made his headquarters at Sobo, near Mount Lawu, where he was able to command military activities in Java; this included a show of force in Yogyakarta on 1 March 1949, led by Lieutenant Colonel Suharto. When the Dutch began withdrawing, in July 1949 Sudirman was called back to Yogyakarta. Although he wanted to continue fighting the Dutch troops, he was forbidden by Sukarno. Sudirman had a relapse of tuberculosis; this led to him retiring to Magelang. He died slightly more than a month after the Dutch recognised Indonesia's independence. He is buried at Semaki Heroes' Cemetery in Yogyakarta. Sudirman's death was grieved throughout Indonesia, with flags flown at half mast and thousands gathering to see his funeral convoy and procession. He continues to be highly respected in Indonesia. His guerrilla campaign has been credited with developing the army's esprit de corps, and the 100-kilometre (62 mi) long route he took must be followed by Indonesian cadets before graduation. Sudirman featured prominently on the 1968 series of rupiah banknotes, and has numerous streets, museums, and monuments named after him. On 10 December 1964 he was declared a National Hero of Indonesia.