Tjokropranolo, Si Adjutant Of Loyalty General Sudirman

Tjokropranolo (holding a book) at an exhibition in Jakarta during his tenure as Governor of DKI Jakarta in the 1977-1982 era. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The name Tjokropranolo is indeed not as bright as other national figures in the Revolutionary War (1945-1949). However, the bodyguard who is also an aide to the TNI Commander, General Sudirman, has an important role. He dared to put up a body to protect the dignity of the state and its superiors.

His loyalty to protect General Sudirman who was sick during the guerrilla war was second to none. This condition made him one of the successions of guerrilla warfare. He is often Sudirman's first choice to carry out special missions.

The Dutch colonialists still insisted on controlling Indonesia for the second time. They with the banner of the Dutch East Indies Civil Government (NICA) tried to perpetuate terror throughout the country. The action was realized in Military Aggression I. The military operation targeted major cities in Java in 1947.

The goal is clear. The Netherlands wanted to destroy Indonesia. Then, they began to control the city one after another. The war made the Indonesian people grieve. Innocent victims continue to fall.

The Dutch began to control many big cities and hoped that the whole of Indonesia would submit immediately. Long roast from the fire. The Indonesian side refused defeat. The spirit of the freedom fighters did not recede. The resistance continues to be perpetuated. The strategy of armslifting continues to be played while being balanced with diplomatic tactics.

The resistance of the Indonesian people angered the Dutch. Military aggression volume II wants to be launched in 1948. Instead of surrendering, all Indonesians chose to fight back. The Commander General Sudirman also chose to fight back.

He also specifically met Bung Karno and asked him to work together before the Second Military Aggression was carried out. However, Bung Karno rejected the invitation. The Indonesian number one wants diplomacy, even though Bung Karno is being held in the future by the Dutch.

Big Brother also approved Sudirman to go to war. He advised Sudirman to rest and seek treatment first so that he would recover from his illness. Sudirman has also taken a decision. He and his troops, including his aide, Tjoropranolo, chose to wage a guerrilla war with routes from Yogyakarta to Pacitan.

Sudirman considered the recitation as the most likely option to fight the Dutch. General Sudirman's heroic action was greeted with a commotion by all Indonesian people, especially the TNI. Their confidence increased.

"When Mr. Dirman came to the Presidential Palace to ask for himself, I saw for myself how weak his condition was, because he had suffered from lung disease for three months. When Bung Karno heard. Mr. Dirman will go out of town to lead a guerrilla war, Bung Karno gives advice to just rest and seek treatment first in Yogyakarta, until he recovers."

"In order to be strong again, to provide provisions in continuing the struggle. But Mr. Dirman remained firm in his determination. Bung Karno immediately hugged while giving a blessing. That's how, Mr. Dirman then stepped out firmly, leaving to lead a guerrilla war," explained Ali Sastroamidjojo as quoted by Julius Pour in the bookDoorstoot naar Djokja: Conflict of Civil-Military Leaders (2009).

General Sudirman's decision to choose guerrilla warfare is not easy. General Sudirman's condition, who is suffering from Tuberculosis (TBC), is the cause. The disease is quite severe. Sudirman alone was unable to perpetuate many things.

The guard who then concurrently served as Sudirman's aide, Captain Tjokropranolo, installed his body. Tjokropranolo, who is a former Japanese-era Indonesian Troop (PETA) and his colleagues, did not consider Sudirman's illness as an obstacle.

The figure who is often called Nolly chose to put up a body for the safety of Sudirman. This power made him often carry General Sudirman everywhere, from in and out of the forest to hiding here and there.

He also acted to find a variety of nutritious food so that Sudirman would quickly recover. This service made Tjokropranolo often trusted by Sudirman to perpetuate important missions. He was able to move as a liaison between Sudirman's troops and other national figures.

He was able to carry out all his duties well. This power made Nolly known as General Sudirman's loyal aide. The service then bore fruit. His career rose. He can be a Lieutenant General of the TNI. Nolly was able to become a role model in Indonesia. Instead of just being a soldier, but also serving the people of Jakarta. He served as Governor of Jakarta in the 1977-1982 era.

"Only specifically for Mr. Dirman, we always try to provide nutritious food that will be able to provide physical strength and healing, such as eggs, nuts, vegetables, chicken meat, fish, fruits, and Jain-lan. And we rarely get this," said Tjokropranolo as quoted by Krisna Bayu Adji and Sri Wintala Achmad in the book Sudirman: Life History, Struggle, and Love Story of the General (2017).