Mochammad Idjon Djanbi

Mochammad Idjon Djanbi (13 May 1914 – 1 April 1977) previously known as Rodes Barendrecht "Rokus" Visser, also spelled as Barendregt, was a Dutch-born Indonesian soldier who served as a Dutch commando during World War II, Korps Speciale Troepen officer and eventually became first commander of Kopassus.

Along with other allied troops, Visser participated in his first battle in Operation Market Garden, when the unit was incorporated into 82nd Airborne Division.

His wife wished to provide a more secure future for her children and she and her family returned to the UK where she opted for divorce.

Captain Visser then opted to stay in Indonesia as a civilian, moved to Bandung, worked as a flower farmer in Pacet, Lembang, embraced Islam, married his Sundanese lover and adapted the name Mochammad Idjon Djanbi.

[8] On 15 April 1952, Colonel Alexander Evert Kawilarang began to form Kesatuan Komando Tentara Territorium III/Siliwangi (Kesko TT), the early name of Kopassus and the basis for this special forces unit.

[9] Not long after, Kawilarang managed to locate and meet with Visser who had remained a peaceful and law-abiding citizen in the newly independent Indonesia, settled in West Java, married an Indonesian woman, and was known locally as Mochammad Idjon Djanbi.

[11] In 1956, with increasing combat capability of special forces, Army leadership saw opportunity to place the unit under the hands of indigenous officers.

Due to lack of tact, this angered Djanbi and caused him to resign his position as commander.