History of Sorts

On May 23, 1977, the Netherlands was gripped by one of the most dramatic and violent episodes in its post-war history. A group of South Moluccan extremists launched a coordinated attack, hijacking a train and taking hostages in a nearby elementary school. This act of terrorism was not random—it was rooted in decades of political frustration, unfulfilled promises, and a deep sense of betrayal felt by the Moluccan community in the Netherlands.

The Background: A Community in Exile

The roots of the 1977 hostage crisis trace back to the aftermath of World War II and the decolonization of the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia). The South Moluccans, many of whom had served in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL), were brought to the Netherlands in 1951 after Indonesia gained independence. About 12,500 Moluccans were resettled in temporary camps in the Netherlands, under the promise that their stay would be short-term and that they would eventually return to a free Republic of South Maluku (RMS), a self-declared state which the Netherlands unofficially supported.

However, as years passed and the prospect of returning to an independent RMS dimmed, a sense of abandonment grew within the Moluccan community. Marginalized economically and socially, some young Moluccans radicalized, demanding political attention for their cause. The 1970s saw a spike in violent acts meant to highlight their plight—including multiple hijackings and hostage situations.

May 23, 1977: The Hijackings Begin

At dawn on May 23, 1977, a group of nine armed South Moluccan militants stormed a train near the village of De Punt in the province of Drenthe. The train, traveling from Assen to Groningen, was brought to a halt in the countryside. Around 50 people were taken hostage, and the attackers quickly separated the passengers, letting some go while keeping others—primarily Dutch civilians—captive under threat of death.

Simultaneously, a second group of Moluccan militants attacked a primary school in the nearby village of Bovensmilde. They took 105 children and five teachers hostage. The choice of targets—a train and a school—was deliberate, intended to shock the Dutch public and compel the government to act.

Demands and Tensions

The hijackers issued several demands: the release of 21 South Moluccans imprisoned for previous acts of terrorism, and renewed Dutch efforts to support the independence of the Republic of South Maluku. Their deadline was firm. If their demands were not met, they threatened to kill hostages.

Dutch authorities were immediately thrust into a national crisis. The government, led by Prime Minister Joop den Uyl, faced intense pressure to act swiftly and decisively. However, officials were determined not to give in to terrorist demands, fearing it would set a dangerous precedent. Negotiations began, but progress was slow and cautious.

The Release of the Children: May 27

Amid rising public concern and international scrutiny, a major breakthrough occurred on May 27. After four days of mounting tension, all 105 schoolchildren and their teachers were released unharmed. The militants reportedly released the children voluntarily, possibly as a strategic move to reduce pressure or in response to ongoing negotiations.

This marked a partial relief in the crisis, but the train hijacking continued, and the risk of deadly violence remained.

The Final Siege: June 11

The train hijacking dragged on for nearly three weeks. Life on board the train was grueling for the hostages—confined, terrified, and uncertain about their fate. Authorities monitored the situation closely while preparing a military response.

On June 11, after 19 days of siege, the Dutch government authorized a full-scale military operation. The Netherlands Marine Corps, supported by fighter jets flying low to distract and disorient the hijackers, stormed the train. The operation was swift and brutal: six of the nine hijackers were killed, along with two hostages. The others were captured alive and later tried in court.

The same day, a separate military operation successfully ended the school siege, capturing the remaining hostage-takers.

The train hijacking at Wijster
The train hijacking at De Punt was not the first train hijacking carried out by Moluccans. One and a half years earlier, seven Moluccans had already hijacked a train at Wijster. During this action, a train driver, Hans Braam, was shot dead. Later, two passengers were also killed.

Aftermath and Legacy

The Moluccan hostage crisis of 1977 shocked the Netherlands and had a lasting impact on Dutch society and politics. It forced a national reckoning on issues of integration, identity, and historical responsibility. The government’s decision to use lethal force was controversial but widely supported in the wake of the hostages’ ordeal.

For the Moluccan community, the events were deeply traumatic and left a legacy of division. While many Moluccans condemned the violence, others viewed the attackers as martyrs who sacrificed themselves for a forgotten cause.

In the decades that followed, efforts were made to better integrate Moluccans into Dutch society, and commemorations of the crisis often include reflections on historical injustices. Yet, the scars of 1977 linger—as both a reminder of the perils of unresolved grievances and the extreme measures they can provoke.

The May 23, 1977, hostage crisis stands as one of the most dramatic episodes in modern Dutch history. It was not just a story of terrorism—it was a cry born of political frustration, a community’s shattered dreams, and a stark reflection of the Netherlands’ colonial past. Though the violence was condemned, the underlying message could no longer be ignored. In remembering the hostages, the victims, and even the militants, the Netherlands continues to confront the complexities of its multicultural identity and colonial legacy.

sources

De treinkaping bij De Punt (23 mei – 11 juni 1977)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_Dutch_train_hijacking

https://dvhn.nl/drenthe/Rechtszaak-doden-Molukse-treinkapers-dient-in-november-21608361.html

https://nos.nl/video/589293-terugblik-op-de-treinkaping-en-schoolgijzeling-in-1977

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_Dutch_school_hostage_crisis

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