"What if mecha fought independence?"

[taalismn]

Depends on the state of the mecha technology.
Are we talking steampunk, diesel punk, or an early arrival of the SDF-1/alien technology? And how extent is the distribution of the technology? Do both factions have it? Are they getting it from other sources(a proxy war prelude to the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the Western powers comes to mind).
Pretty much you're talking 'what if we had walking tanks wandering around' in the conflict. A lot more rough terrain mobility, a lot more collateral damage due to giant robots wandering around crashing through buildings and forest, and a lot more expensive logistics. Are the Indonesians going to be able to afford to maintain home-brewed, captured, or military-surplus(foreign-supplied) mecha or would street-level guerrilla tactics be more effective? Can the Dutch afford to maintain a heavy military presence in the region or will they use their mecha assets to stomp(American pressure be damned!) all over the independence movement?

[TaheenSomosiline]

You hit the nail on the head! The state of mecha technology drastically alters the dynamic of the Indonesian independence war. Here's a breakdown of some possibilities:

Scenario 1: Steampunk/Dieselpunk Mecha

Imagine clunky, coal-powered or steam-driven mechs. Think walking tanks with limited mobility and firepower.
Indonesia: Likely relies on guerrilla tactics and hit-and-run attacks due to the high cost and complexity of maintaining these machines. Sabotage of fuel supplies and ambushes could be devastating to Dutch mecha.
Dutch: Might have a limited number of these hulking machines for show of force and controlling strategic points. Maintaining them in the tropics would be a nightmare.
Scenario 2: Early Arrival of Advanced Mecha (think SDF-1)

This drastically changes the balance. Advanced mecha could be decisive in open battles.
Indonesia: Acquiring such technology is unlikely. They might resort to desperate tactics like suicide attacks on vulnerable mecha parts.
Dutch: Superiority in mecha could lead to swift victories, but guerilla warfare in urban and jungle environments could still be effective. International pressure against such overwhelming force is also a factor.
Proxy War with Mecha

This injects a whole new level of Cold War tension. Both sides might receive mecha support from rival superpowers.
Indonesia: Could receive smaller, agile mecha perfect for jungle warfare, making Dutch mechs vulnerable despite their size advantage.
Dutch: Might receive heavily armed, heavily protected mecha, potentially causing massive collateral damage and international condemnation.
Logistics and Cost

Maintaining any mecha force would be a massive drain on resources, especially for Indonesia. Spare parts, fuel, and trained crews are crucial.
Guerrilla warfare, despite its risks, might be a more sustainable strategy for Indonesia in the long run.
Ultimately, the answer depends on the specific capabilities of the mecha and their availability. Mecha warfare wouldn't be clean, and the fight for Indonesian independence would become a brutal clash of metal giants and desperate resistance.

[YangtuchXo]

You've got the right mindset! Absolutely depends on the mecha tech. Steampunk mechs are gonna be slow, clunky, and belch smoke like a dragon. Alien tech, well, that's a whole different ball game. Distribution's key too. Mirror-match with both sides rocking metal giants or a one-sided stomp? Proxy war with outside powers supplying the muscle? Either way, giant robots = messy. Forget dodging bullets, buildings become the new cover. Logistics become a nightmare! Can these island folks even keep their mechs operational? Guerrilla tactics might be the only way to fight back. Dutch with their fancy mecha stomping on everyone? Internal pressure and global heat could get real spicy real fast.

[NeerMohan]

Surely! You bring some really good points. Examining the tech level here breaks things out:

Steampunk and dieselpunk Mechania:

Think of slow, heavy metal giants, limited mobility. A dream, rough terrain would make guerilla methods rather successful in jungles.
Fueling and maintaining these giants would be a huge resource drain in logistics. Perhaps Indonesia might seize and consume Dutch mechs for components, transforming the conflict into a scrapyard skirmish.
Larger nations might find a proxy war playground in this tech divide. Imagine Dutch sporting German-engineered mechs against Indonesian rebels using jury-rigged French contraptions.
Early MACross/Alien Technology:

Advanced mecha like the SDF-1 are shockingly destructive and mobile. One starts to give collateral damage great thought.
Cost Against Effectiveness: Maintaining these wonders would be amazing. Maybe Indonesia creates a David against a Goliath situation by using salvaged alien technology into smaller, more nimble mechs.
International Pressure: The Dutch may have to employ such weapons sparingly as their deployment results in international censure. This could let windows for Indonesian insurgency open.