Description
Atjeh or Kraton medal 1873 1874, with old ribbon, Original gilding
During the first Atjeh-war and the beginning of the second Atjeh-war in 1873-1874 the Dutch forces tried to capture a palace (Kraton) of the war-lord Tiban Mohammed. The first expedition (april 1873) was a defeat, the target (Meusigit) was conquered, but the Dutch Commander (Gen-maj. Kohler) was killed.
In November 1873 Gen. van Zwieten returned with a force of 13,000 men. The capture of of the Kraton lasted one week. The war-lord and his warriors fled into the jungle.
The bronze medal was struck out of the captured bronze canons of the Kraton. The medal is gilded bronze.