Dioramas At The November 10th Museum, Surabaya

Indonesia loves to tell its history through dioramas. Battles, meetings, unrest, rebellion, light up a box and throw some stuff in to impress the masses. The November 10th Museum commemorates the Battle of Surabaya, when, in November 1945, local forces fought British forces. The Indonesians lost that battle. The fighting was fierce and signaled to the world that colonizing Indonesia - as it was before WWII - would now be impossible. November 10th is Heroes day in Indonesia, to commemorate the start of their fight for independence.

Illustration of a rebel camp. Rifles propped up, some chit chat and a basket of rations.

Taking down the Dutch flag and replacing it with an Indonesian flag at the Yamato hotel. Protester.

Plotting and planning the Indonesian defense.

Impressions. Rebel Officer. Soldier, intently listening.

Naval maneuvers.

November 10th Museum, Surabaya

November 10th is a big day in Indonesia, commemorated as Heroes day. It marks the first resistance event by the Indonesians against the long line of colonizers. After WWII ended in 1945, the British went to take control of Surabaya. Many Indonesians died during an initial British offensive, starting November 10, 1945.

Three weeks later and under heavy resistance, the British were finally able to occupy Surabaya. The tough fight showed the world that Indonesia would no longer accept colonization.

The November 10th Museum sits in the center of Surabaya. In the background, the main Heroes monument.

Inside, a collection of artifacts and weapons from the battles.
The events are still considered gospel. Waves of school children tour the museum. The kids visit over and over, every year of their schooling.

All glory to the revolution. Fighting on a frieze and a funky painting with a bit of winking trompe l'oeil.

There's a hole in the revolution and it's waiting for you.