Page 581 - Le Operazioni Interforze e Multinazionali nella Storia Militare - ACTA Tomo I

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ActA
6. The Establishment of Command Posts.
The function and position of Mandala Staff Command were regulated at command
posts which were divided into three levels. The Reserve Post was a part of Command
Staff with administrative duties and functions. The Main Post covered functions of
Intelligence, Operational, Personnel, Logistics, Territorial and Transportation as well
as made tactical or strategic planning. The small and nippy tactical staff was placed
in the Front Post and completed by needed staff personnel to assist the Commander
in Chief. As the communication was very important, the placement of posts was tried
to accommodate the easiest communication between posts to up level command. In
addition, the placement also concerned about the possibilities of troop placement,
operational plan, and the area which has quite protection and secure.

7. The Dutch Military Power in West Irian on Trikora Period.
Based on Netherlands Marines information, the Dutch military power which was led
by Commander in Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces and based in Hollandia amounted to
approximately 4.500 soldiers on December 1961. Their power consists of the Navy with
several warships, marines units, and its logistical supports, the Netherland Army, and two
Dutch Air Force squadrons. In 1962, the Dutch military forces on August were added
up to about 9.600 soldiers. From these data showed that the Netherlands strengthened
its military since Trikora was announced by Indonesia. According to these data, the
Mandala Command made a calculation hence the forces mobilization of Mandala troops
were greater than the Dutch military forces in West Irian.

CHAPTER III - THE INFILTRATION OPERATIONS

8. The Infiltration through Sea.
a. The Infiltration through Sea towards Mandala Operation.
1) Guerilla Troops 300 (PG-300)
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On March 18 1962, two platoons of Team-1 PG-300 had departed from Gebe
island to Waigeo island. In the mid of their cruise, they wer detected by the Neptune
Dutch Patrol Aircraft, so that direction of boat was deflected to Gag island at west
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side of Waigeo island. The Dutch then attacked Gag Island. On March 25 1962,
fire contact was occurred between Dutch warships with Indonesian aircraft which
resulted in the burning of a Dutch warship. The Dutch Marine troops cleaned the
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area of Gag Island on April 15 1962. This opportunity was used by guerrilla
troops to approach the shore and infiltrate inland.
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Meanwhile, on March 20 1962, two platoon of Team-2 PG-300 departed from
Yu Island towards Tanjung Dalpele at Waigeo Island. In the mid of the cruise, they
wer detected by the Dutch Neptune Patrol Aircrafts but they could hide and then
beached safely.
2) Guerilla Troops 400 (PG-400).
On March 1962, 39 members of Guerilla Troops 400 which mostly from Army