Ereveld literally means field (veld) of honour (eer) and it refers to Netherlands War Cemeteries, serving as the eternal resting place of war victims. These sacred grounds are meticulously cared for, ensuring that the memories and sacrifices of those resting here are forever remembered.

The Netherlands War Graves Foundation, known in Dutch as Oorlogsgravenstichting (OGS), has a team in Indonesia, operating under the headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. We’re devoted to the upkeep of seven war cemeteries across Java. These sites are more than just burial grounds; they’re narratives of resilience, the final resting place for  over 25,000 war victims from diverse backgrounds — civilian and military alike — united by the tragedies of war. 

Curious to learn more? Visit our “Who we are” page.

The Netherlands war cemeteries in Indonesia are final resting places for Dutch, British, American, Australian and Indonesian individuals recognised as war victims by the Dutch government. They were caught in the centre of the Second World War, the Indonesian National Revolution, and the West New Guinea dispute. On average 75% of the war victims buried at the Dutch war cemeteries in Indonesia are civilians and around 25% military; including men, women and children from different backgrounds and religions.

Approximately 25,000 war victims have found peace across the seven war cemeteries in Indonesia, each site telling its own story of valour, loss, and remembrance.

Indonesia is home to seven Dutch war cemeteries, each with its unique history and significance. From the tranquillity of Ereveld Menteng Pulo and Ereveld Ancol in Jakarta to the solemn beauty of Ereveld Pandu in Bandung, Ereveld Leuwigajah in Cimahi, Ereveld Kalibanteng and Ereveld Candi in Semarang, and Ereveld Kembang Kuning in Surabaya, these hallowed grounds remind us of the cost of peace.

The creation of the war cemeteries dates back to the 1946-1950 period, leaning on the initial effort of the Royal Netherlands Indies Army’s (KNIL) Graves Registration Unit. With the dissolution of the KNIL in 1950, the task of maintaining these sites was entrusted to the Netherlands War Graves Foundation.

For a deeper dive into our journey, head over to our “How we got here” page.

Your curiosity and interest in understanding more about the war cemeteries and our mission are warmly welcomed. For any inquiries or further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Visit our “Contact us” page to start a conversation.