Rekindling Memories of War
However, it was this cave that finally became a mass grave of Japanese troops. Around 3,000 out of 11,000 Japanese soldiers who died in Biak perished in agony inside the cave.
Yusuf Rumaropen
Painstakingly, Yusuf Rumaropen is gathering heritage objects of World War II he has discovered on Biak Island, Papua. Through the various things he puts on display in Binsari Cave, Yusuf seems to rekindle the memories of historic tragedy at the time and convey the message that war only ends in misery.
The frame of a worn-out aircraft lies in the yard of Binsari Cave, Samofa district, Biak Numfor regency, Papua. One of its three propeller blades is already bent. The chassis of the aircraft’s head and body is gone, Only the chassis of its tail appears to be intact with the flag of Japan.
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In front of the aircraft is a used drum plate in a lying position. The plate bears the words “Bomber Owned by the Japanese Navy Kamikaze Zero Type 1941-1944”. This sentence sufficiently explains the historic ruins that make the façade of the cave.
When it was almost closing time, a man with a sturdy physique dressed in a green camouflage T-shirt arrived. He is Yusuf Rumaropen, 59, the manager and owner of Binsari Cave, also known as the Japanese Cave.
“This aircraft was left behind by Japan during the war with the United States in Biak. It’s just one of the thousands of used items of ferocity of war I have found in and around the cave. The numerous articles also indicate the number of dead victims at the time,” said Yusuf to a mother and two children who were the last visitors on that day, 1 May 2021.
Binsari Cave belongs to the Rumaropen family. During World War II, the cave with a clean water spring served as a hiding place for Japanese soldiers in order to be protected from surprise attacks by US forces.
The troops under the command of Naoyuki Kouzume were burned alive by the US forces that poured fuel from hundreds of drums into the cave and then set fire to it with mortar shells.
However, it was this cave that finally became a mass grave of Japanese troops. Around 3,000 out of 11,000 Japanese soldiers who died in Biak perished in agony inside the cave. The troops under the command of Naoyuki Kouzume were burned alive by the US forces that poured fuel from hundreds of drums into the cave and then set fire to it with mortar shells.
Inevitably, most of Yusuf’s collection in Binsari cave comprises the used odds and ends of Japanese soldiers. He gathered the bits and pieces one by one for 19 years from 1980 to 1999. Along with Mathelda, his wife, he later opened a museum.
“I became interested in collecting the items as I learned about the war from my parents’ accounts, particularly the arrival of Japanese troops in our place. At first I was only gathering them without ever thinking of their benefit like this,” said Yusuf.
Time machine
In Yusuf’s hands, Binsari Cave seems to turn into a time machine. Visitors can imagine the war that took place around seven decades ago. The articles in his collection and the atmosphere of the cave stimulate visitors to feel the residue of the past.
Visitors look at relics at a museum in the historical tourism area of the second world war in Binsari Cave, Samofa District, Biak Numfor, Friday (30/4/2021).
His collection of Japanese troop heritage objects comes in rows in a land area of 4,000 square meters, ranging from samurai swords, soldiers’ helmets, tin water containers, mortars, knives and rifles. Especially for valuable items like samurai swords, they are exclusively stored in a gallery.
He even also keeps skeletons of victims in a warehouse. Only a small number is now left because most of the bones have been cremated in rituals with prayers by the children and grandchildren of the victims who came directly from Japan.
Imaginations of war get even more real as there are traces of battles. For instance, some aluminum bottles are riddled with holes as a result of dozens of gun fires. The holed bottles bring to mind visions of US forces’ repeated assaults.
The eeriest atmosphere is felt inside Binsari Cave. It has a very dark and humid pathway. Its lighting only comes from the upper opening of the cave. Around the inside are tree roots sprawling over its walls. In such stillness, visitors can imagine Japanese soldiers having no way out when they were being bombarded by their enemies.
Valuable collection
Yusuf faced his ups and downs before realizing his historic museum in Binsari Cave. He was once ostracized by his family as the articles he collected packed the house. “So, they [the family] thought, what was all the trash for? The Japanese [remnants] you gather only [make] a mess for no purpose. With this fuss, I moved them out,” said Yusuf.
However, he never gave up collecting. Yusuf was inspired by the words of a visitor from Jakarta who assessed that the heritage objects Yusuf collected would later be valuable.
Yusuf became even more convinced when a war victim’s family visited Biak to find the remains of their father or grandfather. He recounted that a Japanese woman had once cried sobbingly and at the same time expressed gratitude to him. With the help of Yusuf, they had the chance to trace their ancestors.
Yusuf, now walking with a stick after a car accident, has eventually been staunchly preserving his collection of heritage of war.
For him, thankfulness is very meaningful. He feels his effort so far has not been futile. Yusuf, now walking with a stick after a car accident, has eventually been staunchly preserving his collection of heritage of war.
War article collectors have many times made their bids for his collection, but Yusuf always rejects them. One of the bids turned down was for a rare samurai sword once bargained for hundreds of millions of rupiah.
In the future, the man with a thick moustache faces a tougher challenge. He has to maintain the safety of his whole collection due to frequent theft attempts. Moreover, Yusuf has no funds to build fences around his museum. He has sought the assistance of the Biak city administration but has had no response yet.
Visitors take pictures in the historical tourist area of the second world war in Binsari Cave, Samofa District, Biak Numfor, Papua, Friday (30/4/2021).
Yusuf now only relies on the entry ticket price of Rp 25,000 per person for the management cost of Binsari Cave. Previously, the number of visitors could reach 500-1,000 per month. But the number has drastically declined as the Covid-19 pandemic prevails in Indonesia.
Yusuf realizes the challenge he has to face very well. But this challenge is felt as being commensurate with what he acquires. He can hand down this story of war to future generations and the whole world.
“This place should be preserved in order to be studied by present and future generations. Such events as this war offer no benefit, it has no meaning. All such things only leave misery,” added Yusuf.
Yusuf Rumaropen
Born: Biak Numfor, 23 June 1962
Education: YPK Senior High School Biak
Wife: Mathelda Rumaropen
Children:
- Mando Rumaropen
- Elsye Rumaropen
(This article was translated by Aris Prawira).
