Sorry, forgot something:
Quote:
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I also have some copies (provided again my Mr Ness) of the correspondence in the US about diverting 300 Chevrolet chassis and cab (of the 900 needed) to the Dutch Indies from the Detroit plant. These were 4x4 1 1/2 ton trucks from US army production
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This was of course by the end of 1941 and the vehicles I guess were the standard US military Chevrolet 4x4. I have no proof these were delivered, although I suspect they might have been.
In 1945, some reconstituted KNIL units in Batavia illegally patrolled the streets in them. It is not very likely that these had just been formally acquired from overseas due to the political situation. It is also not likely that these vehicles had already been taken over from British/Australian/ Brit. Indian forces in Java: these were still around and would still have been needing them. Could they have been survivors? Here is a serial number on the left hand side of the bonnet (its a lhd vehicle) from one of the pictures (oct-nov 1945) : 330960 S and a bigger 76 on the side...
Hanno, about you question on Australian deliveries to KNIL: I do not know if KNIL purchased mil. equipment in OZ before the war or in 1940. Bilateral talks and mil. cooperation only started in 1941 and by then KNIL tried to obtain large amounts of stuff, even tanks (!) from the Australians. I have no references of transport. Before 1940 KNIL traditionally ordered its needs from European companies.
Last Saturday I saw some interesting film footage that is permanently displayed at Bronbeek KNIL Pensioners Home in Arnhem. If you get the chance, go there and you will see the Maple Leaf in action, towing Bofors 40mm AA guns. I have bought a video at Bronbeek about KNIL in 1942, but I will have to look agian to see if it contains the Maple Leaf.
Kind regards,
Nuyt
Rotterdam