The Untold Stories of Southeast Asian Youth During World War II

 

During World War II, thousands of young Japanese were dispatched to Southeast Asia as part of the Pacific War campaigns and the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. These individuals, hailing from diverse backgrounds, found themselves conscripted into military service, leaving behind civilian lives for the battlegrounds of Southeast Asia.

In the Dutch East Indies, the Japanese occupiers established several military and paramilitary organizations. These groups, including the Greater Asia Youth Corps, San A Seinen Kutensho, Seinendan, Keibodan, Barisan Pelopor, Hizbullah, and Barisan Berani Mati, each had distinct objectives and training programs. They were instrumental in educating, training, and mobilizing the youth to support Japan’s defense efforts.

Among these conscripted youths were Koreans, who were forced to serve as gunsok (assistants to the Japanese army) and had to forsake their Korean identities. They were promised monthly salaries and various amenities but faced severe discrimination and extended labor contracts that caused significant distress.

Japan’s conscription system was imposed on Korea from 1910 to 1945. Yang Chil Sung, a Korean, was forcibly made a phorokamsiwon (prison guard) in Bandung in 1943. After Korea gained independence, Yang Chil Sung did not return home. Instead, he joined guerrilla fighters resisting the Dutch in the forests of Bandung.

Yang Chil Sung, along with four others—two Koreans and two Japanese—joined the Pangeran Papak Forces under Major SM Kosasih in Majalaya. They integrated into the local community, converted to Islam, taught various skills, and adopted new names: Komarudin (Yang Chil Sung), Aboe Bakar (Masashiro Aoki), Oemar (Lee Gil Dong), Soebardjo (Guk Jae-man), and Oesman (Hasegawa Katsuo).

The Pangeran Papak Forces, formed in 1945, became known for integrating former Japanese soldiers who supported Indonesia’s independence struggle. Led by Major SM Kosasih, a veteran PETA soldier, the forces conducted various missions and operations, refusing to relocate to Yogyakarta after the 1948 Renville Agreement. Instead, they chose to defend West Java from Dutch attacks, establishing their base at Gunung Dora, a guerrilla headquarters on the Garut-Tasikmalaya border.

The Pangeran Papak Forces were part of the BPRI (Indonesian People’s Rebel Front) under Bung Tomo, equipped with diverse weaponry, including firearms, grenades, and sharpened bamboo sticks. They carried out numerous attacks on infrastructure and logistics in Dutch-occupied areas. In 1949, they merged with other militias to form the Galunggung Guerrilla Headquarters (MBGG) under the Siliwangi Division.

The forces included experienced soldiers from Korea and Japan who shared their combat knowledge and skills with local fighters. In 1947, Yang Chil Sung and his comrades sabotaged the Cimanuk Bridge, disrupting vital supply lines. This led to a manhunt by Dutch forces, culminating in their capture at Gunung Dora on October 26, 1948. They were executed in February 1949 after a military trial.

Yang Chil Sung and his comrades were buried in Pasirpogor Public Cemetery and later reinterred at Tenjolaya Heroes’ Cemetery in Garut in 1975. On the 50th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, the Indonesian government held a ceremony to honor Komarudin, formerly known as Yang Chil Sung.

The Pangeran Papak Forces were named after a historical figure who spread Islam in Garut at the end of the 18th century. Raden Wangsa Muhammad, known as Pangeran Papak, was a noble from the Galuh Pakuan kingdom. He dedicated his life to spreading Islamic teachings across Garut and neighboring regions, earning the title “Papak” for his egalitarian principles.

Pangeran Papak’s legacy continued through his influence on local religious and community leaders. He was known for his artistry and use of cultural events to propagate Islamic teachings. He passed away around 1898, leaving behind a legacy of equality and devotion.

The story of the Pangeran Papak Forces and their diverse members—Japanese, Koreans, and Indonesians—reflects the complex history of Southeast Asia during World War II. These young fighters, drawn from different backgrounds, united in their struggle for Indonesia’s independence, leaving a legacy that continues to be honored today.