The Defining Years of the Dutch East Indies, 1942-1949 : Survivors' Accounts of Japanese Invasion and Enslavement of Europeans and the Revolution that Created Free Indonesia [Library Binding]

Jan A. Krancher (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996 | ISBN-10: 0786400706 | ISBN-13: 978-0786400706

Following their invasion of Java on March 1, 1942, the Japanese began a process of Japanization of the archipelago, banning every remnant of Dutch rule. Over the next three years, more than 100,000 Dutch citizens were shipped to Japanese internment camps and more than four million romushas, forced Indonesian laborers, were enlisted in the Japanese war effort. The Japanese occupation stimulated the development of Indonesian independence movements. Headed by Sukarno, a longtime admirer of Japan, nationalist forces declared their independence on August 15, 1945. For Dutch citizens, Dutch-Indonesians or "Indos," and pro-Dutch Indonesians, Sukarno's declaration marked the beginning of a new wave of terror. These powerful and often poignant stories from survivors of the Japanese occupation and subsequent turmoil surrounding Indonesian independence provide one with a vivid portrait of the hardships faced during the period.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"reading these pages is a journey that leaves an indelible impression as well as an understanding of the importance of this relatively small piece of history" -- Internee Affairs

This is a history book that all Americans would do well to read. It is war in microcosm, not from a military standpoint, not from a political view, not from the conquerors perspective, but through the filters of those most effected - the invaded - during the time the Japanese Imperial military occupied this territory for three and one half years . . ..

It is easy to read, thanks to Mr. Krancher's excellent translating and editing, but it is not easy reading. Here are all the despairs, deprivations, and horrors of war, not in a national overview, but on a person-to-person level, told by those who actually endured the suffering. -- Valley Voice, November 20, 1996, Visalia, California.

About the Author

Mr. Jan A. Krancher (editor) was only two and one half years old when the Japanese overran the Dutch East Indies. He lived in Malang, East Java and eventually also wound up in camps with his mother and two sisters, separated from his father. He lived through Indonesia's Independence movement being kept in a protection camp called "De Wijk" in Malang. He was reunited with his Dad in 1946 and the entire family repatriated to the Netherlands in 1956.

He was awarded a college diploma in 1960 and then emigrated to the United States. After short term employment in California, he enlisted in the US Army and was honorably discharged after a three year tour of duty as an Interpreter-Translator in Germany. He attended the University of Hawaii, earning a B.S. degree. He returned to California where he started his career in the specialty of Environmental Health. While employed full time, he attended night school and graduated with a M.S. degree in Health Science. He later earned a Ph.D. degree in Nutrition by taking off-campus courses.

Jan has written numerous popular style articles in Dutch as well as in English in addition to several scientific papers. He was granted the 1993 CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR OF THE YEAR award by the California Environmental Health Association for publishing in their professional journal. He is the past Editor of the Journal and has served in various capacities for this organization. He is a California Registered Environmental Health Specialist currently employed by the Tulare County Health and Human Services, Division of Environmental Health.

Married to Irene Joyce Krancher in the Hague while serving in the US Army, they have two grown sons and a daughter. The Kranchers live in Visalia, California.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 288 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786400706
• ISBN-13: 978-0786400706
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,281,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voices from a forgotten history, March 1, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Langley,WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Defining Years of the Dutch East Indies, 1942-1949 : Survivors' Accounts of Japanese Invasion and Enslavement of Europeans and the Revolution that Created Free Indonesia (Library Binding)

This is history they didn't teach us in school! Jan Krancher has compiled 24 personal accounts from survivors of a brutal -and nearly forgotten- episode of World War II: the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies and imprisonment of thousands of its people. This 3 1/2 year occupation was immediately followed by a bloody revolution and the creation of modern Indonesia.

These deeply moving stories, from civilian internees (including children) and military POW's, give the English-speaking reader a glimpse of what has been called the "other Holocaust", the brutalities of the Pacific War. You won't forget them.

If you liked the film "Paradise Road", you won't want to miss this book.