Attack near Waisama, on the island of Buru, 17 February 1653

Attack near Waisama, on the island of Buru, 17 February 1653. During the Great Ambon War (1651-1656), the leaders of the fight against the VOC received military support from Makassar from mid-1652 onwards. By the end of that year, Arnold de Vlamingh, commander of the VOC troops in that war, learned that a Makasar fleet had arrived near Waisamma, on the island of Buru. The drawing shows how VOC troops march upriver to the location of the Makasar vessels. After a fierce battle, the Makasars are driven from their hastily erected fortification, and their vessels are burned. The VOC troops return following the river and burn the village along the way.

Part of an illustrated manuscript version of Livinus Bor, Amboinse Oorlogen, describing the events of the Great Ambon War (1651-1656), and defending and glorifying the acts of the VOC commander in this conflict, Arnold de Vlamingh van Oudshoorn.

Legend: A. Daer d’onse ladtwaert intrecken, B. Waer d’onsen met de Maccassaren in actie raeken, en het uijt haer vestinge drijven, C. De Maccassaerse vesting booven langh(s) de Revier, D. twee haeren joncquen bij d’onse verbrant, E. De Maccassaerse hooft vesting door hen verlaeten, en van de onsen in brant werden gesteecken, F. De negerie Waijsamme, bij d’onsen verbrant.

See also: Koninklijke Bibliotheek Brussel, Ms. 17982, fol. 47