Descriptive Text

PENDEM FORT PURWOREJO

        As the same name implies. Pendem fort is a hidden fort. The word pendem if in the Indonesian language can be interpreted terkubur (buried). So it is not be surprising if the fort is not high towering like the fort in common. Pendem fort is located in Kalimaro village, Bagelen sub-district, Purworejo district. From the hill seen south coast in which the waves can be seen clearly. Unfortunately, this fort does not maintain well like other historical sites, even no direction board.

        This condition is worsen by the wall of the fort which full of pen drawing and some iron which functioned as ladder stolen. Very unwell taken care. This fort keeps the history of Japanese existence in Purworejo district. This time I am more interest in exposing the sad story behind the pendem fort. This fort is functioned by the Japanese army as a stronghold of defense and scouts from the sea, land and air. In the construction of Japan asked for land from 3 villages: Sumorejo village, Bapangsari village and Dadirejo village of 500 hectares. Not only it is robbing enough, Japan but also asks for equipment and human resources for development.

        At last 200 workers were provided from each village and were very cheaply. With those power gained from those three villages, still, Japan lack of power, then bring Romusha ( Japanese style forced labor) from outside the region. Their fate is more tragic, they were forced to continue to work and they were not paid. It was said as the tragic story then took place after the fort was completed. The people who were near the fort were all expelled and their possessions could be bought but the homes of uninhabited residents were burnt by the Japanese. The process of sterilization was done coincide on  Shawwal, at around 10:00 PM. That is the story behind the pendem fort Purworejo.