The Mutiny Of Japanese Trained Peta Army

In October 1943, the Japanese Government issued the Osamu Seiroi No 44/1943 on the establishment of a voluntary troop to defend the island of Java. Indonesians very excited to accept the regulation, particularly the youths who were eager to defend the nation. They enthusiastically enlisted to become a soldier of the PETA (Pembela Tanah Air/Defenders of the Nation). The PETA Army was consisted of several daidans (battalions). In the batallions, some Indonesians held the ranks of officers, petty officers and non-commissioned officer, but they were always accompanied byJapanese officers who acted as their trainer and supervisor. In Blitar, there was one battalion of PETA and Romushas assigned to construct several defense facilities. A feeling of detestation of Indonesian people to Japanese became apparently increase when their families transported to other region as Romusha and never return. They could no longer tolelrate the adversities and hunger they had to suffer. Their hatred to Japanese and the desire to achieve independence caused a rebellion. Headed by Suprijadi and Muradi, and based on the advice of dr. Ismangil the rebels held a series of preparatory meetings. At exactly 3.30 a.m. on February 14, 1945, the rebels was put into action. The rebels killed a number of Japanese and repositioned on the outskirts of town. Unfortunately, the Japanese were able to quell the rebellion. Suprijadi, were disappeared. The other leaders, which included. dr. Ismangil, Muradi, Sunarto, Halir and a number of their colleagues were send to Jakarta on March 8th, 1945 and brought to a Military Court on March 14-16, 1945. Six people were given the capital punishment, three received a life sentence and the others were sentenced etween two to fifteen years in
prison.