1821 - The Battle for Palembang

14: the Battle of Muntinghe's Town

Near Muntinghe's Town, Sultanate of Palembang, 1821

Muntinghe's Town, a village located not far from the southern bank of the Musi River, was named after the last Dutch Resident to Palembang as he had resided there for extended periods, instead of in Palembang City proper. It was important strategically for this operation by virtue of its geographical position – sitting upon a road that linked the landing ford and a ridge that overlooked the final stone left unturned in the Dutch conquest of Palembang: Fortress Gombora, that guarded the gates of Palembang.

Muntinghe's Town was important for a good number of reasons. Taking it would allow the invading force a clear line of supply through the road it sat upon, thus allowing transport of artillery, men, munition, and supplies, as well as its storage, for the siege. This in turn would allow the emplacement of artillery batteries on the southern bank of the Musi River.

Although the Dutch fleet brought by de Kock was by no means lacking in guns, the unpredictable tides of the Musi River and the Dutch ships being large, made them easy target for the 'coastal' guns aboard Gombora. This obliged the positioning of land batteries across Gombora Island, to ensure a constant bombardment of the fort.

In addition, the capture of Muntinghe's Town would allow the invading force a firm foothold on the Palembangese river bank, thus protecting the invaders from further intrusions from land, while also splitting the Palembangese forces who were defending the countryside from foraging. The plans were, among other, to convert Muntinghe's Town into a stable supply depot for the siege as well as a field hospital for the wounded, who, the Dutch commanders had learnt through experience two years ago, would be aplenty.

In short, if the expeditionary force was to take Palembang, they would have to take the Gombora first, and to take the fortress, they had to take the ridges across the river from the fortress, and in order to do that, they had to conquer Muntinghe's Town.

Now, Captain van der Wijck's small team of braves and madmen had drawn first blood; the possession of Muntinghe's Town at the balance.

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The gist of a light infantryman's training and why one was chosen to be a member of the light company at the first place was one's capability of independent thought–to pick one's target, his dexterity in positioning himself to the terrain, and use all means, however limited, to eliminate the enemy. And the twenty-two men upon these fields facing two companies worth of regulars, militia, and horsemen were chosen exactly for being the best of the best in these skills. There, Simpson put his trust, for if he couldn't entrust his life in these twenty-two men, there would be no one else in the world where he could put it.

And now, they were to fight.

Simpson, van der Wijck, and R.M. Bimasena, however, were here for purposes in support of the siege. Though it seemed like those reasons had been frustrated by the sudden appearance of a sizable enemy force, of whom the scouting Hussars must've missed.

The first purpose of their incursion, was the tracking of nonconventional marching routes through the woods, with the main road was undoubtedly clogged with traffic of the long artillery and supply convoys. Additionally, was the reconnaissance over the former Resident's seat at his namesake town. Though, seeing the sizeable enemy force ahead of them, the secrecy of these paths may as well be compromised.

The second objective, however, proved much more vital. They were to recover a compromised intelligence asset carrying vital information on the organisation and logistics of the defences of Palembang and Gombora by ways of a medium called Girasole.

"The flower that follows the sun. It is an Italian word, though I've no idea why de Kock's man calls him so," Brabant had said to Simpson. "You must recover this man at all costs, Simpson. It could be the key of how long we are to wage war here – and how much we are to sacrifice for victory. Seeing from today, the Sultan is no fool. He has defeated the Dutch twice, and we would be the fools of Europe if we were to lose again and against these vile feudalists... He must be recovered at all costs."