The indonesian declaration of independance (Proklimasi Kemerdekaan Indonesia) ,typewritten on a Kriegsmarine typewriter.

In the course of my research, i stumbled upon an interesting fact about how in an unlikely manner , a Kriegsmarine typewriter was a key factor in the declaration of Indonesia's Independance. Another interesting fact was how similar this declaration letter is to documents issued to the Monsun U-Boat crewmen stationed in Jakarta. Pictures courtesy of Mahandis Yoanata Thamrin (Indonesia) & Michel (France).

This true story starts on the night of 16 August 1945 at the house of the Japanese Imperial Navy Rear Admiral Maeda (Minoru) Tadashi.

A draft was prepared only a few hours earlier, by Soekarno, Hatta, and Soebardjo, at Rear-Admiral Maeda (Minoru) Tadashi's house, Miyako-Doori 1, Jakarta. Maeda himself was sleeping in his room upstairs. He was agreeable to the idea of Indonesia's independence, and had lent his house for the drafting of the declaration.

The declaration was to be signed by the 27 members of the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) symbolically representing the new nation's diversity. The particular act was apparently inspired by a similar spirit of the United States Declaration of Independence. However, the idea was heavily turned down by some activists, arguing that the committee was too closely associated with then soon to be dysfunctional Japanese occupation rule, thus creating a potential credibility issue. Instead, these activists demanded that the signatures of six of them were to be put on the document. All party involved in the historical moment finally agreed on a compromise solution which only included Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta as the co-signers 'in the name of the nation of Indonesia'

However an unexpected situation occured. The Japanese typing machine owned by Admiral Maeda had no latin characters only Japanese! Fortunately one of them knew where to get a proper typewriter. Several attendees rushed to take a jeep belonging to Admiral Maeda,Satsuki Mishima to "borrow" a typing machine from the Head of Germany Navy (Kriegsmarine), Major Dr. Kandeler . Sajuti Melik typed this historical document of Proclamation of Indonesian Independence and several hours later on 17th August 1945, Soekarno read aloud the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence.

This historical german typewriter currently resides in the building where the declaration was dictated. This building is now called "Museum Perumusan Naskah Proklamasi" at Imam Bonjol St. No. 1 - Menteng Village, Menteng Central Jakarta City 10310.

Shown below is the translation of indonesia declaration of independance.
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In Indonesian:
PROKLAMASI

Kami, bangsa Indonesia, dengan ini menjatakan kemerdekaan Indonesia.

Hal-hal jang mengenai pemindahan kekoeasaan d.l.l., diselenggarakan dengan tjara saksama dan dalam tempo jang sesingkat-singkatnja.

Djakarta, hari 17 boelan 8 tahoen 05

Atas nama bangsa Indonesia

<<tanda tangan Soekarno/Hatta>> Soekarno - Hatta
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English translation:
PROCLAMATION

We, the Indonesian people, hereby declare the independence of Indonesia.

Matters concerning the transfer of power, etc., will be carried out in a conscientious manner and as speedily as possible.

Jakarta, 17th day of 8th month, year 05 (note: Japanese calendar year)

In the name of the nation of Indonesia

<<Soekarno/Hatta's signatures>> Soekarno - Hatta
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