Red and White (Merah Putih)

Red and White (Merah Putih) Country Indonesia Directed by Yadi Sugandi Release Date 2009 Main Cast Character Actor Marius Darius Sinathryah Surono Zumi Zola Amir Lukman Sardi Tomas Donny Alamsyah Dayan T. Rifnu Wikana

Red and White (Merah Putih) is a historical drama about the 1945-1949 Indonesian War of Independence against Dutch colonial rule. When the Japanese occupation forces retreat in 1945, independence is declared from the Dutch who understandably won’t let their former colonies slip away that easily.

The story starts in 1947 and follows 5 recruits (see infobox for naming) who join the newly formed Indonesian Army. After their training camp is attacked by the Dutch, they must try to survive behind enemy lines with the help of local villagers. In the process, they overcome their initial differences and become a fearsome resistance force.

The name of the movie refers to the two colors of the Indonesian national flag and the movie is the first part of a trilogy. A final note, even though the guns are pretty much correct for 1940's Indonesia, it would have been more correct to see further Japanese or originally Dutch guns rather than US and English arms.

The following weapons were used in the film Red and White (Merah Putih):

Pistols

M1911A1

Several officers carry the M1911A1 as their side-arm throughout the movie, most notably Surono (Zumi Zola) as newly appointed commanding officer of his unit plus Dutch officers during raids on Indonesian villages.

World War II Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP

A Dutch officer (uncredited actor) points his M1911A1 at a village elder demanding the whereabouts of local resistance.

Surono searching the jungle with his M1911A1 to find his sister who disappeared following the Dutch raid on the army training school.

Sergeant Schaeffer (David John Watton) chases locals through their village with his M1911A1 in search of resistance fighters.

In a dramatic poise, a local irregular (uncredited actor) confronts a Dutch soldier with his M1911A1 during the final ambush scene.

Luger P08

Major Van Gaartner (Rudy Wowor) is seen pulling a Luger P08 when his convoy is ambushed. This is correct as the Luger P08 was indeed purchased for Dutch officers in Indonesia in the 1920’s and probably still in use in the late 1940’s.

Luger P08 with black grips - 9x19mm

Submachine Guns

M1A1 Thompson

Amir (Lukman Sardi) and Tomas (Donny Alamsyah), plus several recruits and a few Dutch soldiers, can be seen carrying the M1A1 Thompson. It is probably a non-firing version because for firing scenes, it is substituted for the M1928A1 Thompson.

M1A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP

Two Dutch soldiers making their way through the Indonesian jungle with M1A1 Thompson’s at the ready.

During a raid on a Dutch weapons arsenal, Tomas fills up his backpack with grenades and ammunition and finally picks up a M1A1 Thompson.

With his M1A1 Thompson in hand, Amir scouts the surroundings of a location where an ambush on Dutch troops is planned.

M1928A1 Thompson

The M1928A1 Thompson is used in several scenes, mostly as a substitute for the M1A1 Thompson in firing scenes.

M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP

When Tomas breaks into a Dutch weapons arsenal, a pair of M1928A1 Thompson’s can be seen, next to some Carl Gustav M/45’s and M3 Grease Guns.

During the ambush of the Dutch convoy, Amir can be seen using his M1928A1 Thompson to deadly effect.

M3 Grease Gun

The most common submachine gun among the Dutch is the M3 Grease Gun. It can be distinguished from the later M3A1 model by the external crank lever for cocking the bolt, clearly visible in all below screenshots.

M3 "Grease Gun" .45 ACP

Carl Gustav M/45

In several scenes, Dutch soldiers can be seen carrying (but not firing) the Carl Gustav M/45. It can be identified by its typical silhouette and its folding stock plus massive wooden grip. Even though correct from a time perspective, this submachine gun has never been officially used by Dutch forces.

Carl Gustav M/45 Submachine Gun - 9x19mm‎

Sten Ml II

In one scene, a Dutch soldier chatting up Indonesian girls can briefly be seen carrying a Sten Mk II, distinguishable by its front barrel section and general tubular appearance.

Sten Mk II - 9x19mm

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III

Many Dutch soldiers, as well as Indonesian recruits, can be seen carrying the Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III - .303 British

A very solemn looking drill sergeant (uncredited actor) entrusts a recruit with a Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III for his first live fire practice.

Tomas holding his Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III as he and Surono’s sister are hiding in the jungle from Dutch troops.

From the weathered looks of this Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III, it would appear to be a genuine rifle with the original wooden parts replaced with low quality new ones.

The business end of a Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III carried by a local resistance fighter during an ambush of a Dutch supplies convoy.

M1 Garand

Most Dutch and Indonesian characters carry the M1 Garand at one time or the other. For some reason, all examples seen on screen seem to have a chrome gas tube and front sight.

M1 Garand semiautomatic rifle - .30-06

A left-handed and unranked Dutch soldier with a M1 Garand checks the remains of a rebel camp in a river bed.

Amir and Dayan (T. Rifnu Wikana) holding their M1 Garand’s as they hide from approaching Dutch troops.

Tomas teaching local youngsters the basics of aiming a M1 Garand as an ambush on Dutch troops is prepared.

An irregular firing his M1 Garand at Dutch troops. Note the good view of the chromed gas tube and front sight.

M1 Carbine

In the ambush scene, one Dutch soldier is seen carrying a post-war M1 Carbine with adjustable sight and a bayonet lug. The movie takes place in 1947 so this would be a correct model.

Korean War Era M1 Carbine with adjustable sight, bayonet lug, and twin magazine pouch - .30 Carbine

A good close-up of the typical M1 Carbine barrel as Dutch troops disembark from their truck to confront their attackers.

A Dutch soldier reloading his M1 Carbine, note the good view of the bayonet lug and the adjustable sight.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I prop rifle

During non-firing sequences, most Indonesian recruits are carrying what appears to be a non-firing prop rifle visually based on the Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I. It has the typical front sight and magazine, but there’s no bolt and the barrel extends too long beyond the front sight.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 British

Amir (left) and Marius (middle) are getting their first lessons in bayonet handling. Note that some bayonets appear to be just props without any grooves.

An Indonesian recruit checking out an abandoned village. Note the lack of a bolt on the rifle plus the longer front section of the barrel.

In a flashback scene to the WWII occupation of Indonesia by Japan, Japanse soldiers can be seen carrying this unusual rifle as well.

Machine Guns

Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun

In several scenes, the Japanese Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun can be seen on what appears to be an original mount. Interestingly, the original vertical grips have been replaced by crude horizontal grips. This machine gun was probably left behind by Japanese forces retreating from Indonesia a few years earlier. At one point, Amir incorrectly describes it as "Fifty Caliber".

Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun - 6.5x50mm SR

Tomas fighting with a Dutch soldier who manned a look-out post with a Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun.

When Tomas and a fellow recruit raid a Dutch weapons arsenal, he still manages to carry a Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun on his shoulder.

Marius (Darius Sinathryah) firing at a Dutch convoy with a Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun. Note the stripper clip which is probably for decoration purpose as the rounds are not very well arranged probably causing a malfunction after the very 1st shot.

Marius is hit in the shoulder while operating the Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun. There’s a detailed view of the mount plus the crude non-standard handle bars.

Browning M1919A4

In the final gun battle, a Dutch jeep is equipped with a Browning M1919A4 on a simple pedestal mount.

Browning M1919A4 on a pedestal mount - .30-06 Springfield

Dutch troopers getting ready to return fire during the ambush with a Browning M1919A4.

The same jeep after it is overtaken by local irregulars. As evidenced by the length of the ammunition belt on the Browning M1919A4, same as previous picture, they did not seem to have fired a shot.

Bren gun

In one scene, a Dutch soldier can be seen carrying a Bren gun. Because it is seen only briefly, the exact version cannot be determined but it’s most probably a Mk2 model.

Bren Mk2 - .303 British

The Dutch soldier on the right carries a Bren Gun as his unit arrives at a small jungle village.

The same soldier on the left with his Bren Gun as his commanding officer is demanding information about resistance fighters from the village elder.

See Also

Yadi Sugandi’s Independence Trilogy (“Trilogi Merdeka”) Red and White (Merah Putih) (2009)   •  Blood of Eagles (Darah Garuda) (2010)   •  Hearts of Freedom (Hati Merdeka) (2011)