Attack on Asaudi, 29 July 1655

Attack on Asaudi, 29 July 1655. In the course of the Great Ambon War (1651-1656), Asaudi had grown into an elaborate system of fortifications. In 1655 there was hunger and deprivation in these forts, and tensions among the defenders grew. In July 1655, troops commanded by De Vlamingh landed. The drawing shows several episodes from the attack: on the beach, among the indigenous forts (B), we see two makeshift fortifications of the VOC troops and their allies. (C and D). On 29 July, the VOC troops and their local allies attacked. The starved Makasar and Hoamoalese defenders hardly put up any resistance, first retreating to two hill forts (top right), and later also abandoning those to retreat further inland. Legend: A: sijn onde schepen, B: sijn der vijanden forten, diewe winnen, C: is Outhoorns borstweer ten storm, van vaetwerk, D: die van Frans Smalle, E: is Buitendijk, met sijn waeghalsen den berg winnende, F: sijn de twee stukken ten stormsein, G: is onse inlandse bijstandij, den vijand van after invallende. Part of an illustrated manuscript version of Livinus Bor, Amboinse Oorlogen, describing the events of the Great Ambon War (1651-1656), and defending and glorifying the acts of the VOC commander in this conflict, Arnold de Vlamingh van Oudshoorn.

Please contact Koninklijke Bibliotheek Brussel for reuse and copyrights.