Infantry Battalion 744 (Indonesia)
Encyclopedia
Infantry Battalion 744 (744/Satya Yonif Yudha Bhakti) is a territorial infantry battalion
of the Indonesian Army
. It was part of Kodam IX/Udayana
when East Timor
was still a part of Indonesia
. Established on January 24, 1978, this battalion was headquartered in Los Palos, East Timor now Timor-Leste.
One of the accomplishments of this battalion was participation in an ambush that killed the President of Fretilin, Nicolau Lobato in January 1979. The raid was conducted jointly with Kopassus
troops under the command of Prabowo Subianto.
Once out of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia over East Timor, the Battalion and its achievements recorded in operation to the Security Pengacau Movement (GPK) East Timor, its existence is maintained by the Regional Commander of Udayana (then) Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnarki.
Although the Military Zone 164/Wiradharma in East Timor was liquidated along with the loss of East Timor from the Republic of Indonesia, the Battalion was maintained and eventually became part of the Military Zone 161/Wirasakti's organic forces at Kupang
.
Kecil. Troops operating in this sector included Battalion 744, Battalion 700, Battalion 401 (Yonif Nanggala Raiders) and Kopassus's Team-28.
On December 30, 1978 at 05.00 the Commander of the Nanggala-28 team, Capt. Inf Danyon Prabowo reported to the 744th's Major Yunus Yosfiah of the Fretilin troop movements toward the south. Central Sector Commander, Infantry Colonel Tottori Sahala King immediately ordered a siege against the target. Formation of TNI troops at that time:
On that day I Platoon Company B, led the 744th Yonif Maudobe Sergeant involved in the gunfire that resulted in a number of enemy dead. Among them, shot dead, was Sergeant Nikolau Maudobe Nikolau Lobato. The body was successfully recognized by Gutteres Two Soldiers (enlisted radio bearer). The pursuit also involved helicopter units.
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the Indonesian Army
Indonesian Army
The Indonesian Army , the land component of the Indonesian Armed Forces, has an estimated strength of 328,517 regular personnel. The force's history began in 1945 when the Tentara Keamanan Rakyat "Civil Security Forces" served as paramilitary and police.Since the nation's independence struggle,...
. It was part of Kodam IX/Udayana
Kodam IX/Udayana
Kodam IX/Udayana is a military area command of the Indonesian Army which is responsible for the provinces of Bali, East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara...
when East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
was still a part of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. Established on January 24, 1978, this battalion was headquartered in Los Palos, East Timor now Timor-Leste.
One of the accomplishments of this battalion was participation in an ambush that killed the President of Fretilin, Nicolau Lobato in January 1979. The raid was conducted jointly with Kopassus
Kopassus
Kopassus is an Indonesian Army special forces group that conducts special operations missions for the Indonesian government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering.Kopassus was founded on April 16, 1952...
troops under the command of Prabowo Subianto.
Once out of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia over East Timor, the Battalion and its achievements recorded in operation to the Security Pengacau Movement (GPK) East Timor, its existence is maintained by the Regional Commander of Udayana (then) Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnarki.
Although the Military Zone 164/Wiradharma in East Timor was liquidated along with the loss of East Timor from the Republic of Indonesia, the Battalion was maintained and eventually became part of the Military Zone 161/Wirasakti's organic forces at Kupang
Kupang
Not to be confused with Tanjung Kupang in JohoreKupang is the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara province in southeast Indonesia....
.
Ambush of Nikolau Lobato
Yonif 744 led by Major Yunus Yosfiah was almost 2 weeks in pursuit of the Fretilin forces in MaubisseMaubisse
Maubisse is a town, suco and subdistrict in Ainaro District, East Timor. The suco has 4,947 inhabitants ....
Kecil. Troops operating in this sector included Battalion 744, Battalion 700, Battalion 401 (Yonif Nanggala Raiders) and Kopassus's Team-28.
On December 30, 1978 at 05.00 the Commander of the Nanggala-28 team, Capt. Inf Danyon Prabowo reported to the 744th's Major Yunus Yosfiah of the Fretilin troop movements toward the south. Central Sector Commander, Infantry Colonel Tottori Sahala King immediately ordered a siege against the target. Formation of TNI troops at that time:
- Team Nanggala-28 north side
- Yonif 700 and Yonif 401 east side
- 744 Yonif as the spearhead of the attack
On that day I Platoon Company B, led the 744th Yonif Maudobe Sergeant involved in the gunfire that resulted in a number of enemy dead. Among them, shot dead, was Sergeant Nikolau Maudobe Nikolau Lobato. The body was successfully recognized by Gutteres Two Soldiers (enlisted radio bearer). The pursuit also involved helicopter units.