By Anton Lutter.
During a sunny Monday the 15th of August, the end of the second world war in the Netherlands-Indies (nowadays: Indonesia) was remembered, 71 years to the day the Japanese forces capitulated before the Allied forces.
The government was formally represented by the Prime Minister Mr Mark Rutte and the undersecretary Mr Martin van Rijn, who has “WWII” in his portfolio. Also in attendance were the Minister of Defense Mrs Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Minister Jet Bussemaker of Education, Culture and Science as well as the Commander of the Dutch Defence Force, with the Operational Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air force and Marechaussee.
After the laying of the reefs by the Government, defence and city of The Hague authorities, also the representatives of the Embassies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States paid their respect by laying a reef.
The ceremony started when the standard of the Regiment Van Heutsz was presented by the military in traditional uniforms of the former Royal Netherlands Indies Army. The solemn musical setting was performed by the chapel of the Royal Dutch Airforce.
During the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands-Indies 100.000 Dutch citizens were interned of whom 13.000 didn’t see their freedom.
