Three Graves
1943: THE FIRST GRAVE
Obviously, the first grave of Karel H. G. Bos is the May 23, 1943 mass grave that he was buried in when executed in the Tasnan Forest, near the PO.W. Camp in Bonowoso where he was held captive. There were 37 victims in this mass grave.
​
ALL of the other 36 victims were also held prisoner at the internment camp in Kesilir along with my grandfather. Also of note: 35 of the victims were men, and 2 were women.
1945: THE SEARCH for RECOVERY
After the Japanese occupation ended in 1945 and Indonesia’s war of independence began, the Dutch government initiated efforts to recover and honor their war dead. One key agency was the Opsporingsdienst van Overledenen (O.D.O.), or “Search Service for the Deceased.”
1948: THE DISCOVERY & EXHUMATION
November 1948: Dutch military grave services discovered and exhumed the mass grave during a coordinated operation. They placed all of the remains in a coffin. They brought them to Ereveld Kembang Kuning (a Dutch war memorial cemetery) in Surabaya.
The mass grave was exhumed for both humanitarian and commemorative reasons, including to identify and honor the victims. The Dutch authorities made a deliberate effort to locate and give names to those who were buried anonymously under wartime conditions.
​
The remains were at the Graves Services area on Palmanlaan. They spent three days trying to positively identify each of the 38 victims. They found items of piety as well as wedding rings which helped in the identification process (why these were not stolen by the Japanese occupation, I'm not sure.) Unfortunately, in the way of identification, my grandfather was divorced by that time, so he no longer wore a wedding band.
​
Remains of all 37 victims were carefully recovered, identified (where possible), and documented in an official ODO report. Unfortunately, most of the victims were not able to be positively identified. (From what I've read, the Dutch did indeed use dental records as a means to identify bodies at this time. This makes me think that the beheading may have contributed to the inability to identify?)
.png)
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
Mass graves discovered in the djati forests of Tasnan
Names of the executed known
​
ET Head of the Surabaya Branch Office of the Investigation Service for the Deceased (O.D.O.), Mr. J. W. F. Meeng, reports the following to us from Djember:
The O.D.O. had already had information for some time, which indicated that a mass grave had to be present in the teak forests in the vicinity of Tasnan of persons who were executed there during the Japanese occupation.
​
In cooperation with the Nefis team in Djember and in the presence of the Head of the Investigation Service for the Deceased in Batavia, Mr. C. D. van der Harst, an investigation was initiated into the reported mass grave. A former driver of the Ken Pei Tai, who had driven the prisoners in a lorry to the edge of the forest, was reached.
​
From this point onwards the operation was carried out: the population, who provided the greatest possible cooperation, indicated the place in the teak forest where the mass graves were to be located.
​
In order to exclude all possible doubts, a sample was taken and indeed, at a depth of 1.50 meters, remains were found. The place was marked in order to enable the Graves Service to expose the mass graves in due course.
​
According to the data available to the O.D.O., it can be assumed with a degree of certainty that the majority of the executed persons referred to herein were part of the internees of the so-called Kesilir camp, whose names can be traced as follows:
​
J. C. C. Lang, L. J. Oudkerk Pool, S. Wentzel, C. A. Damboer. F. Deeleman, F. C. van der Kwast. Christian, J.B. Kannegieter, Herman de Jonge, D. F. van den Dungen Bille, E. Bohle, V. H. Straube, J. Voigt, R. M. Brantz, C. F. Lans, M. C. Voogd, U. A. Thiel, D. Lentze, D.J. Helmich, E. Koot, K.A. Visser, J.H. Mussers, K. H. G. Bos, H. H. Held, W. Schoen, Adriaan Bos, W.A. Noordwij, H. Esser, J. A. Schell, E. Delmaar, R. Barneveld Binkhuyzen, Th. J. Groenendijk, P.C. M. Gude, A. van Ardenne, L. Vincent, R.A.D. Eman, F.E. Meyer, Ch. A. Smith, Sister Handyman from Modjowarno, Mrs. Luinenburg from Modjowarno.
​
Of course, after the excavation a visa repertum will be the correct number of victims must be determined.
​
The victims of this F. M. Donkers, A. W. are: Groothengel. M.J. Schikker, H.W. Ruigrok, C.B. de Stoppelaar, J.W. Groothengel, M.D.M. Neyman, P.F. Siegers. J. Anthony, C. Bouthoorn, M.M. de Monchy, A.W. ten Oever. H. Boekestein, C. O. Prosman, T. C.M. Dobbelman. W. van Wagtendonk, E. F. Cath, A. Heysteck, P.J. Klein, G. Muller, R.P. Zeff, N. Nijk. L. Heyboer, E. J. Hilling. P.J. Vastenou, C.M. Jonker, C.J. Hinsbeek, A.V. Rossum, J.P. Remmert, A.C.M. Jansen, Tjia Ling Tiek.
​
The bequests are subject to family inheritance of a death certificate. Consideration given to, if this has not yet been done, to contact the offices of O.D.O. in Surabaya (Residential Office), Bandung (S.S. Building) en Batavia Department of Justice).
.png)
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
Mass Graves in Tasnan
​
The head of the Surabaya by office of the Dutch Investigation Service for the Deceased (O.D.O.), Mr. J. W. F. Meeng, reports the following from Djember:
​
The O.D.O. had been in possession of information for some time, indicating that a mass grave must be present in the teak forest area of Tasnan, belonging to people who were executed there during the Japanese occupation.
​
In collaboration with the Nefis team in Djember and in the presence of the Head of the Investigation Service for the Deceased in Batavia, Mr. C. D. van der Harst, an investigation was launched into the reported mass grave.
​
A former driver of the Ken Pei Tai, who had driven the prisoners in a truck to the edge of the forest, was identified. The operation began from this point; the population, who provided the utmost cooperation, identified the location in that Djati forest where the mass graves were supposed to be located.
​
To eliminate any possible doubt, a sample was taken, and indeed, remains were found at a depth of 1.5 meters. The site was marked to enable the Graves Department to excavate the mass graves in due course.
​
According to the information available to the O.D.O., it can be assumed with near certainty that the majority of the executed were internees of the so-called Kesilir camp, whose names can be traced as follows:
​
J. C. C. Lang, L. J. Oudkerk Pool, S. Wentzel, C. A. Damboer, F. Deeleman, F. C. van der Kwast, Christan, J. B. Kannegieter, Herman de Jonge, D. F. van den Dungen Bille, E. Bohle, V. H. Straube, J. Voigt, R. M. Brantz, C. F. Lans, M. C. Voogd, U. A. Thiel, D. Lentze, D. J. Helmich, E. Koot, K. A. Visser, J. H. Mussers, K. H. G. Bos, H. H. Held, W. Schoen, Adriaan Bos, W. A. Noordwij, H. Esser, J. A. Schell, E. Delmaar, R. Barneveld Binkhuyzen, Th. J. Groenendijk, P. C. M. Gude, A. van Ardenne, L. Vincent, R. A. D. Eman, F. E. Meyer, Ch. A. Smith, Sister Klusman from Modjowarno, Mrs. Luinenburg ult Modjowarno.
​
Naturally, after the exhumation, a visa repertum will have to reveal the correct number of victims.
​
Following reports that another grave of about ten people was allegedly located near Tasnan, about which nothing was yet known, a further investigation is being conducted.
​
It should also be noted that the Tasnan grave should not be confused with the already marked mass grave at the Lengkong golf course (near Moemboelsari).
​
The victims of this are:
​
F. M. Donkers, A. W. Groothengel, M. J. Schikker, H. W. Ruigrok, C. B. de Stoppelaar, J. W. Groothengel, M. D. M. Neyman, P. F. Siegers, J. Anthony, C. Bouthoorn, M. M. de Monchy, A. W. ten Oever, H. Boekestein, C. O. Prosman, T. C. M. Dobbelman, W. van Wagtendonk, E. F. Cath, A. Heysteck, P. J. Klein, G. Muller, R. P. Zeff, N. Nijk, L. Heyboer, E. J. Hilling, P. J. Vastenou, C. M. Jonker, C. J. Hinsbeek, A. V. Rossum, J. P. Remmert, A. C. M. Jansen, Tjia Ling Tiek.
​
To obtain a death certificate, surviving family members are advised, if they have not already done so, to contact the O.D.O. offices in Surabaya (Residential Office), Bandung (SS Building), and Batavia (Department of Justice).
​
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
O.D.O. a Social Interest
Detective Work in a Vague Past
​
Madoera Mystery Solved
​
As one enters the Residentie office, one sees a modest sign on one's right, which displays O.D.O. Few probably suspect the important role this agency plays in the lives of many people. Below, we present the interesting interview we had with the Head of the O.D.O.
In December 1945, the Deceased Persons Investigation Service (O.D.O.) of the Department of Justice was established in Batavia (Jakarta.) In the first months of 1946, branch offices were opened in Surabaya and Bandung, while Semarang, Padang, and Medan also recently received branch offices.
​
The goal and aim of the O.D.O. is to trace war victims in the broadest sense of the word from the Japanese occupation and the bersiap period, in order to trace their names and place of death and to have these persons registered in the special death registers of the Civil Registry in Batavia. It needs little mention what a comprehensive task this is, especially now that part of the interior is still inaccessible,
making the O.D.O. unable to obtain many important data. As a result, of the more than 36,000 war victims, only approximately 18,000 are registered in the special registers of the Civil Registry in Batavia (Jakarta.)
​
The great social importance of the O.D.O. is evident from the simple fact that, through the intervention and cooperation of this service, an official death certificate is issued to the surviving relatives. This certificate is indispensable for pension payments, life insurance, inheritances, and remarriages.
​
In addition to this administrative work, the O.D.O. However, also the real detective work." Because locating mass graves, uncovering often appalling crimes committed by Japanese and extremists, requires a tireless detective spirit, infinite patience, and above all... time. This Sherlock Holmes work (in which the O.D.O. received full cooperation from the NEFIS) has often been crowned with success, as evidenced by the discovery of several mass graves, including at Moemboelsarie, the planter's grave from Oosthoek, and at Toempang (above Malang), where 38 victims of the extremist group were buried.
​
In the course of next week, in collaboration with the Graves Service, the mass grave at Tasnan will be exhumed. To illustrate this part of the O.D.O.'s work, we will provide a few more examples.
​
​
​
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
CITY NEWS
BONDOWOSO UNVEILING MASS GRAVE
(From our correspondent)
​
After the U. D. U. had already established a few months ago, in cooperation with the Nefis, that a mass grave was located at the well-known seaside resort of Tasnan, approximately 10 km from Bondowoso, a start was made on Tuesday morning, in cooperation with the Graves-1 service, with opening this grave.
​
The grave contained the remains of 38 men and two women, all of European descent. They were executed in 1943 by the Kempei-tal.
The names of the unfortunate. are:
Messrs J.C.C. Long: LJ. Otterloo?; 8. Wentsel; C.A. Danboer; F. Deeleman; F.C. by der Kwast; Christian; J.B. Cannegieter; H. de Jonge; D.F.D. by. the Dungen Bille; E. Bohle; F. H. Straube J. Woigt; J.M. Brandtz; C.F. Lance; M.C. Guardian; U.A. Thiel; D. Lentze; D.J. Hellmi; E. Koot; K.A. Fisherman; J.H. Mussers; K.H.G. Bos; H.A. Hero; W. Schoen; A. Bos; W.A.
​
North The excavations of Tuesday and Wednesday brought to light the remains of 24 people.
​
Today the excavation is continuing. Mr. Meeng of the O.D.O. is currently in Djember to carry out this work together with the Graves Service department of East Java.
​
After being placed in a coffin, the remains will be transported to the Graves Service on Palmenlaan in Surabaya to be interred in due course at the Ereveld on Kembang Koening.
​
Those who can provide information that can facilitate identification are requested to report to the above-mentioned service or to the O.D.O. (Residence Office, Surabaya).
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
MASS GRAVE NEAR BONDOWOSO
​
In Tasnan, about ten kilometers from Bondowoso, a mass grave was excavated by the O.C.O. (O.C.O.). The grave contained the remains of thirty-eight men and two women of European descent, who were executed by the Kempeitai in 1943. They will be interred at the Kembang Koening war cemetery in Surabaya.
​
​
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
Announcement of the Deceased Persons Tracing Service (O.D.O.)
From the archives of the NIOD.
​
Posted by Marcel Ravenhorst on December 29, 2020
​
COPY
Taken from; REPORT of the Recovery Service of the Deceased (0.D.0.) for the month of December 1948 for the Department of Justice. 3030-h Business trip "Oosthoek", Madura and Kangean. At the end of November I undertook a business trip to East Java, Madura and Kangean.
On 24 November, in my opposition, the care of the Army Graves Service began the excavation of the mass grave in the Tasnan forest (located opposite the road Djember Bondowoso), where on 23 May 1943 approximately 40 people, mostly from the so-called Kesilir camp, were executed by the Japanese.
​
The excavation took three days.
​
A number of objects of piety (seal and wedding rings) were also found in the grave.
​
37 victims were found, namely: (see list in article above)
​
​
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
Mass grave of victims of Kesilir found
​
The Dutch Tracing Service for the Deceased had long had information indicating that a mass grave must be present in the teak forests near Tasnan, belonging to people executed there during the Japanese occupation.
​
In collaboration with the Nefis in Djember and in the presence of the Head of the O.D.O. in Batavia, Mr. C. D. v.d. Harst, an investigation was launched into the reported mass grave. A former Kenpetai driver was identified, who had driven the prisoners in a truck to the edge of the forest in the village of Tjongkrong near Tasnan, approximately 10 kilometers from Bondowoso.
​
The operation was conducted from this point. The population, who cooperated as much as possible, designated the location in the teak forests where the mass graves were to be located. To eliminate any doubt, a random sample was taken, and indeed, remains were found at a depth of 1.5 meters.
​
The location was marked to enable the graves service to excavate the mass graves (which date back to May 23, 1943). According to the Nieuwe Crt, the remains of 82 people had already been exhumed by November 25, while a total of 40 people were said to have been executed. Among the 40 people were 38 men and 2 women.
​
Most of these executed people come from the infamous Kesilir Camp near Banyuwangi. Once the excavation work is completed, the remains will be sent to Surabaya for reburial at Kembang Koening.
​
The names of the victims of this mass murder are already known and hereby follow:
​
J.C.C. Long, L.J. Oudkerk Pool, S. Wentsel, C.A. Damboer, F. Deeleman, F.C. van der Kwast, Christian, J.B. Kannegieter, H. de Jonge, D.F.D. v.d. Dunging Billen, E. Bohle, V.H. Straube, J. Voigt, R.M. Brantz, C.F. Lans, M.C. Voogd, U.A. Thiel, D. Lentze, D.J. Helmich, E. Koot, K.A. Visser, J.H. Mussers, K.H. Bos, H.A. Held, W. Schoen, A.A. Bos, W.A. Noordzij, H. Esser, J.A. Schell, E. Delmaar, R. Barneveld Binkhuyzen, J. Groenendijk, P.C.M. Gude, A. van Ardenne, L. Vincent, R.A. D. Eman, F.E. Meyer, Ch. Smith, Sister Klusman, and Mrs. Luinenburg, the latter two from Modjowarno.
​
From one of the survivors of the Kesilir camp, the "Nieuwe Crt." learned that early after the very isolated camp was put into operation, an illegal plot had been hatched among some of the camp's residents.
​
1949: THE REBURIAL EFFORTS
There were several reasons for exhumation and for new graves:
​
-
The Dutch government wanted to ensure proper burial. The Tasnan grave was a hastily dug execution site.
-
The reburial allowed for dignified, maintained graves in a formal war cemetery.
-
The new graves would allow families to mourn, as many Dutch families had no knowledge of their relatives’ fates. Even those who knew, did not know the location of the mass grave.
-
Exhumation provided closure, names, and grave locations.
-
It allowed the documentation of war crimes. These acts were part of broader efforts to investigate Japanese war crimes and atrocities and preserve evidence for historical and legal accountability.
-
And finally, reasons included those for long-term maintenance and care. The remote forest location was not suitable for upkeep. Cemeteries like Kembang Kuning and Ancol are maintained by the Dutch government in perpetuity.
1949: THE SECOND GRAVE
​​​
The plan by the Dutch government was to rebury all of the remains together again at another war cemetery in the country's capital of Jakarta, on the west end of Java. However, per request of twelve of the victim's families, those remains stayed in Surabaya and were reburied at the Dutch war cemetery, Ereveld Kembang Kuning. This took place on October 28, 1949.
The victims of the mass grave were not all reburied together. They are in two (new) mass graves. The families of the victims mentioned in this article requested that their loved ones be reburied in Kembang Koening Cemetery Field of Honor, Surabaya.
(See translation below.)
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
Victims of Tasnan
​
The Head of the Army Graves Service Branch Office Surabaya, Palmenlaan No. 30, announces that the remains of the war victims named below, executed during the Japanese occupation and buried in the mass grave at Tasnan, near Bondowoso, will be reburied at the request of the family members at the "Kembang Koening" Field of Honour" here.
​
The burial will take place on 28 October at 8 a.m. The above-mentioned institution will be happy to provide details regarding the reburial.
​
The above-mentioned identified war victims are:
A. van Ardenne. R. M. Brantz. A. Bos. E. Bohle. E. Christan. F. Deeleman. C. F. Damboer. P. C M. Gude. D. Lentze. C. F. Lance. L. J. Oudkerk Pool. M. C. Voogd.
​
​
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
The Tasnan Victims
Reburial at the War Cemetery
​
One day in June 1943, the silence in the teak forests around Tasnan was shattered by the sharp explosive of those firing squads. Thirty-seven Dutchmen fell as victims of the Kempei Tai.
​
Thirty-seven Dutchmen who had been interned in Kesilir and, during one of their wanderings, found a disassembled transmitter in an abandoned house.
​
Some of them managed to reassemble the transmitter, after which contact was established with the outside world, the Allies.
​
Traitors passed the secret on to the Japanese, as well as the composition of the group, and all were taken away to be sentenced to death after a painful interrogation.
​
This morning, twelve of the thirty-seven victims were reburied at the Kembang Koening war cemetery. Amidst great interest,
the remains of the late A. van Ardenne, R.M. Brantz, E. Böhle, A. Bos, E. Christan, L.F. Damboer, F. Deeleman, P.C.M. Gude, C.F. Lans, D. Lentze, L.J. Oudkerk Pool, and M.C. Voogd were laid to rest.
​
Numerous floral tributes and beautiful wreaths, including one from His Eminence Wali Negara of East Java, were brought.
​
Standing around the opened graves were the representative of Cdt. A.-Div., the Local Commander, the deputies of A.-Division, the large deputation of the riot police, the riot police, and many family members. Lieutenant I. Hagdorn gave a short speech. The speaker praised the heroism of the victims, who made the supreme sacrifice for their country. Parolean music from the drum and pipe band resounded across the field of honor.
​
Slowly, our tricolor was hoisted back to its highest position.
​
May they rest in peace!
1949: THE THIRD GRAVE:
THE SECOND & FINAL RESTING PLACE of K.H.G. BOS
On October 5, 1949, my grandfather, along with the remaining other victims, were reburied with dignity and honor in a new mass grave. His final resting place is now in the FIELD OF HONOR at EREVELD ANCOL (Dutch War Cemetery), along Ancol Beach, in the capital city of Jakarta.
​
They were all reburied under the care of the Oorlogsgravenstichting (Dutch War Graves Foundation).
​
A special note of gratitude to Johan Teeuwisse, Coördinator Archief en Necrologie, at Oorlogs Graven Stichting, who personally replied to every one of my emails, and helped me with the exact location of my grandfather's new grave. There was confusion between on-line searches and articles, as the results showed both Dutch war cemeteries: the Kembang Kuning in Surabaya, and the Ancol in Jakarta. He then launched his own investigative search, and found and shared with me the newspaper article dated October 24, 1949 (above.) It was then that it was made clear that the 37 victims were no longer buried in the same mass grave together, but were now buried between two separate mass graves as noted.
.png)
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
Reburial at Antjol (Ancol) Field of Honor
​
On October 15th at 9 a.m. at the Antjol Field of Honor in Batavia (now Jakarta), the following war victims will be reburied with military honors.
​
Identified:
E. Delmaar, Gezagvoerder K.P.M., Th. J. Groenen-dijk, 3e Wtk. K.P.M., W. Schoen, Empl. B.P.M., Mej. L. H. Klusman, Verpleegster, Mej.H. J. Luinenburg-Pelle Zend. Verpleegster, N. H. Straube, K. A. Visser.
​
Not identified:
K. H. G. Bos, Sergt. KNIL, H. Esser, Mil. Matroos, D. J. Helmich, empl. N.K. P.M., A. H. Held, Vert. Koopman & Co., Eddy Koot, Hfd. Wtk., F. C. v.d. Kwast, K.P.M., J. B. Kannegieter, 5e Wtk. K.P.M., J. C. O. Lang, Bouwkundige, W. A. Noordzij,
Direct. Christ. MULO, E. H. Rabe, J. A. Schell, Gezagvoerder K.P.M., H. de Jonge, J. H. Mussers, J. Voigt, Ch. A. Smith, M. A. van Thiel, S. Wentzel, Gezagvoerder K.P.M. R. Barneveld Binkhuizen, 4e Wtk. K.P.M., D. van de Dringen Bille, Empl. B.P.M.
​
Relatives and interested parties who have their own transport are requested to go directly to the Antjol Field of Honour, where the remains will be laid out for the meal.
​
Those who do not have their own transport can contact the Army Graves Service, tavia, of the BaHeutszboulevard 2 branch office before the 13th of this month and will be taken to Antjol by the care of this service.
​
Wreaths and flowers can be delivered to Van Heutszboulevard 2 by half past seven in the morning of 15 October.
​
Translation of above article (from Dutch):
​
Reburial of War Victims
On Saturday morning, October 15th, the reburial of the war victims executed by the Japanese in Tasnan (Central Java) in June 1943 took place at the Antjol Cemetery.
​
Among those present were the Governor of Batavia, R.A.A. Hilman Djajadiningrat, and the Batavia base commander, Lt. Colonel B.P. de Vries.
​
After the salute and the roll call, short speeches were given by the Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy. After the recitation of the Lord's Prayer, the remains were carried to the grave while Chopin's Marche Funèbre was played. The salute was given, and then wreaths were laid at the foot of the monument by the Governor of Batavia, by Lt. Col. de Vries on behalf of the army commander and the army, by Lieutenant Commander II H.E. Rambonnet on behalf of the commander of the navy in the East and the navy, and by civilians representing various companies.
​
The ceremony concluded with the raising of the flags while the Wilhelmus (Dutch national anthem) was played.
Check out the YouTube videos below. While they don't show the actual mass tombstones, they do have some beautiful shots of the cemetery and surrounding area.
THE OTHER 36 VICTIMS
I've tried to research the other 36 victims of the mass execution who were all buried with my grandfather. Sadly, there is limited information. I hope to update this as I am able to find out more.
-
Arthur van Ardenne
-
Rudi Barneveld Binkhuijsen
-
Erwin Bohle
-
Adriaan Bos
-
Roeland Michiel Brantz
-
Eddy Christan
-
Cornelis Ferdinand Damboer
-
Frits Deeleman
-
Emile Delmaar
-
Diederick F. D. van den Dungen Bille: A known figure who served in technical or military roles in the Dutch East Indies, possibly connected to the same Landstorm unit or resistance circles as Karel Bos
-
Hendrik Esser: Name is linked in some accounts to the Dutch civil engineering or architectural community in the Indies, making him a possible professional acquaintances of Karel Bos.
-
Thuswald Jan Groenendijk
-
Pieter Cornelis Marius Gude
-
Antonius Henricus Held
-
Dagobert James Helmich
-
Herman de Jonge
-
Johannes Boudewijn Kannegieter
-
Leonorae Henriette Klusman: A nurse and/or missionary sister (nun.) She was part of the Bondowoso guerrilla group resisting Japanese occupation, co-led with mission sister Hendrika Johanna Luinenburg‑Pelle. She was honored for her courageous efforts, including organizing shelter, food, intelligence gathering, and coordination among the small resistance circle. Her bravery in continuing operations despite danger, arranging safe support and resisting betrayal, marks her as the most prominently noted female hero of the Bondowoso group.
-
Eddy Koot
-
Franciscus Cornelis van der Kwast
-
Joseph Carel Christiaan Lang: Also an architect in Malang. He was arrested by the Kempeitai for allegedly hiding weapons. He later joined the Resistance group preparing for Allied liberation.
-
Carel Frederik Lans: Name appears in Dutch-Indonesian colonial records as professionals or civil servants active in East Java around that time, potentially in similar administrative or technical roles as Lucien Oudkerk Pool.
-
Hendrika Johanna Luinenburg‑Pelle: A nurse and/or missionary sister (nun.) She was part of the Bondowoso guerrilla group resisting Japanese occupation, co-led with mission sister Leonora Klusman. She was 48 years old.
-
Dodo Lentze
-
Jan Hubert Mussers: Name is linked in some accounts to the Dutch civil engineering or architectural community in the Indies, making him a possible professional acquaintances of Karel Bos.
-
Willem Adrianus Noordzij: Director of Christian MULO (secondary school) in Malang.
-
Lucien Jean Oudkerk Pool: Name appears in Dutch-Indonesian colonial records as professionals or civil servants active in East Java around that time, potentially in similar administrative or technical roles as Carel Lans.
-
Johan Andries Schell
-
Willem Schoen
-
Charles Alexander Smith
-
Victor Herman Karel Straube
-
Ulrich Alfonso Thiel
-
Karel A. Visser
-
Jan Voigt
-
Martinus Coenraad Voogd
-
Samuel Wentzel
K. BOS: PRISONER & GRAVE MAPS
.png)
.png)
Above PRISONER & GRAVE MAPS:
​
1) Taken prisoner in Malang by Japanese Occupation.
​
2) Transferred approx. 200km/125mi by rail to Kesilir. Held in internment camp.
​
3) Transferred approx. 140km/87mi to Bondowoso. Held in Prisoner of War Camp.
​
4.) Transferred approx. 10km/6mi to Tasnan Forest. Executed and buried in mass grave.
​
5) Mass grave exhumed in Tasnam Forest near Bondowoso.
​
6) Remains transferred approx. 220km/137 miles to Graves Services of Ereveld Kembang Kuning (Memorial Cemetery) in Surabaya for identification.
​
7) Remains transferred approx. 785km/490mi and reburied in new mass grave at FINAL RESTING PLACE in Ereveld Ancol (Dutch War Cemetery) in Jakarta.
OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT
Dating : August 22, 1948 – September 9, 1948
Official trip of CD van der Harst, JWF Meeng, S. Eimers, and E.Ch. Wernink, investigating officers of the ODO Surabaya branch, to the Besoeki Residence, Madura, and Malang, concerning the excavation of the mass grave in the Tasnan forest, the investigation of the graves of the Knaus brothers, and the investigation of Kempeitai victims.
​
(Shared by Achmad Budiman Suharjono)​
RE: BUTTON BELOW: After the website opens, click on the small pic of the document to view all pages of the document.
K. BOS: OFFICIAL WAR GRAVES FOUNDATION PAGE
​FYI: I added all 7 of the images currently listed on there.
​
Another huge thank you to Johan Teeuwisse, Coördinator Archief en Necrologie, Oorlogs Graven Stichting, for taking the time to investigate the initially confusing information re: multiple new graves, and for confirming the final and exact location of my grandfather's war grave.
​
​
Cemetery address for the grave of Karel H. Bos:
Jalan Lodan Timur 7
Jakarta, West Java
II61:62