Mayor General Johan Harmen Rudolf Kohler, Commander in Chif of the Dutch Armed Force during the first aggression, landed in Pante Ceureumen, Uleelheu, Banda Aceh on April 6, 1873. After a four day battle, The Grand Mosque Baiturrahman was seized by Dutch troops on April 10, 1873.
On the same night, however, the had to give it up after a fierce counter attack by Acehnese fighter. Exerting all off their available force on April 14, the Dutch troops succeeded in retaking the mosque. General Kohler was killed during the fire exchange. Consequently, the Dutch attack fell apart. They were forced to retreat to the shore will carrying the General’s corps. Just period to his death, Kohler murmured, “My God, I got shot.”
Kuburan Jenderal Kohler
Mayor Jenderal Johan Harmen Rudolf Kohler, Panglima Angkatan Perang Belanda dalam agresi pertama yang mendarat di Pante Ceureumen, Uleelheu, Banda Aceh pada 6 April 1873. Setelah empat hari pertempuran, Masjid Raya Baiturrahman direbut Belanda pada 10 April 1873.
Tapi malam itu juga terpaksa dilepaskan oleh Belanda karena serangan balik pasukan pejuang Aceh. tanggal 14 April dengan mengerahkan seluruh kekuatannya Belanda merebut kembali masjid tersebut, tetapi tembakan pejuang Aceh telah merenggut nyawa Kohler, sehingga rencana penyerangan selanjutnya menjadi berantakan dan seraya mengusung jenazah sang panglima, Belanda terpaksa mundur ke pantai. Menjelang maut Kohler berucap “Oh Tuhan, aku terkena peluru.”
