Recount Text (Historical Events)

Read the text below and answer the following question!

The Battle of Ambarawa

The Battle of Ambarawa was a battle between the recently created Indonesian Army and the
British Army that occurred between 20 October and 15 December 1945 in Ambarawa, Indonesia.
On 20 October 1945, Allied troops under the command of Brigadier Bethell landed in Semarang
to disarm Japanese troops. Initially, the troops were welcomed in the area, with Central Java’s governor
Wongsonegoro agreeing to provide them with food and other necessities in return for the Allies’ promise
to respect Indonesia’s sovereignty and independence.
However, when Allied and NICA troops began freeing and arming freed Dutch POWs in
Ambarawa and Magelang, many locals were angered. Indonesian troops under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel M. Sarbini began besieging Allied troops stationed in Magelang in reprisal for their
attempted disarmament.
On the morning of 23 November 1945, Indonesian troops began firing on Allied troops stationed
in Ambarawa. A counterattack by the Allies forced the Indonesian Army to retreat to the village of
Bedono.
On 11 December 1945, Soedirman held a meeting with various commanders of the Indonesian
Army. The next day at 4:30 AM, the Indonesian Army launched an assault on the Allies in Ambarawa.
Indonesian artillery pounded Allied positions, which were later overrun by infantry. When the Semarang-
Ambarawa highway was captured by Indonesian troops, Soedirman immediately ordered his forces to
cut off the supply routes of the remaining Allied troops by using a pincer maneuver.
The battle ended four days later on 15 December 1945, when Indonesia succeeded in regaining
control over Ambarawa and the Allies retreated to Semarang.
Activity 1
Match the words in the left with their synonyms in the right side!
No. Words in the text No. Synonyms Indonesian meaning
1 occurred A imprisoned
2 troops B form a groups
3 promise C raged
4 angered D blockading
5 besieging E Pledge, swear
6 attempted F Trick, trap
7 counterattack G Take placed
8 assault H Physical attack
9 captured I Defense
10 maneuver J Tried, endeavored

Activity 2
Say whether the following statements are true or false
No. Statements T/F
Palagan Ambarawa was a battle between the Ambarawa people and the British Army
1
that occurred between 20 October 1945 in Ambarawa, Indonesia.
Allied forces under the command of Brigadier Bethell landed in Semarang to removed
2
Japanese troops weapons in East Java.
Many locals were raged when Allied and NICA troops began freeing and arming freed
3
Dutch POWs in Ambarawa and Magelang.
Lieutenant Colonel M. Sarbini commanded Indonesian army to blockade Allied troops
4
stationed in Magelang.
The Indonesian Army ran away to the village of Ambarawa due to the Allies
5
counterattack.
6 Lieutenant Colonel M. Sarbini lead the commanders meeting on 11 December 1945.
A day after the meeting, The Indonesian Army got a physical attack on the Allies in
7
Ambarawa.
8 Indonesian artillery striked Allied positions under the command of infantry.
9 On 15 December 1945 The Allied Troop defeated the Indonesian army.
10 Ambarawa and Semarang were still controlled under the Allied Troops.