World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Gold and diamonds found at former Japanese base in Cigombong in 1946
In 1946, after Japan’s defeat, Indonesian troops and residents searched a former Japanese military base in Cigombong, West Java, for weapons to use against Dutch forces.
Instead, they found a large jar containing socks filled with gold, gemstones and diamonds.
The find was reported to include 7 kilograms of gold and 4 kilograms of diamonds, valued at nearly 6 billion rupiah at the time.
The treasure was said to have come from the Pondok Gede plantation in Bogor.
A team later handed it to Bank Negara Indonesia in Yogyakarta.
The discovery became part of Indonesia’s history of significant treasure finds.
Another major find came in 1990, when residents digging for fill soil in Wonoboyo, Central Java, uncovered four jars containing gold and silver jewelry.
In 1946, Indonesian troops and local residents searching a former Japanese military base in Cigombong found gold and diamonds.
The search was intended to find weapons to use against Dutch forces.
The reported hoard included 7 kilograms of gold and 4 kilograms of diamonds, said to come from Pondok Gede Plantation in Bogor.
The treasure was valued at nearly 6 billion rupiah, according to a 1972 magazine report.
A team later handed the treasure to Bank Negara Indonesia in Yogyakarta.
- Who
- Indonesian troops and local residents found the treasure.
- What
- They discovered gold and diamonds while searching a former Japanese base for weapons.
- When
- 1946, after Japan’s defeat.
- Where
- Cigombong, West Java, in the Sukabumi-Bogor area.
- Why
- They were looking for weapons to fight Dutch forces.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Japanese troops who had been stationed in Cigombong left after their defeat.
Indonesian troops and local residents searched the former base for weapons and found gold and diamonds.
A team handed the treasure to Bank Negara Indonesia in Yogyakarta.
- Gold
- 7 kilograms
- Diamonds
- 4 kilograms
- Reported value
- Nearly 6 billion rupiah
- Reported source
- Pondok Gede Plantation, Bogor
- Recipient
- Bank Negara Indonesia in Yogyakarta
What people are saying
Sergeant Major Sidik, several military police members and residents found a large jar. After it was opened, they found socks containing hard objects. They opened the socks one by one. They were shocked to see gold, gemstones and diamonds glittering inside.
Sources
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