Dutch East Indies Aftermath of World War II

a soldier of indian armoured regiment examines light tank used indonesian nationalists , captured british forces during fighting in surabaya.

japan invaded , occupied indonesia during war , replaced of dutch colonial state. although top positions held japanese, internment of dutch citizens meant indonesians filled many leadership , administrative positions. following japanese surrender in august 1945, nationalist leaders sukarno , mohammad hatta declared indonesian independence. 4 , half-year struggle followed dutch tried re-establish colony, using significant portion of marshall plan aid end. dutch directly helped uk forces sought re-establish colonial dominions in asia. uk kept 35,000 japanese surrendered personnel under arms fight indonesians.

although dutch forces re-occupied of indonesia s territory, guerrilla struggle ensued, , majority of indonesians, , international opinion, favoured indonesian independence. in december 1949, netherlands formally recognised indonesian sovereignty.