[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The 1940 Maple Leaf 134 3/4 inch wheelbase Chassis with Cowl and Windshield was the Model 1662 2 1/2 ton capacity. The 2 Ton 133" w.b. was Model 1332. These could have been converted by GM of Canada using U.S. parts, or alternatively DAF-Trado. The DAF system had the drive by way of direct shafts to the wheels, so the photo will show if it was a DAF or [normal differential] U.S. Timken-Detroit front axle in which case the conversion was Canadian.

Now, the other information is going to need research! The only 160" wheelbase truck that could fit the description was the 1941 Model YS 1 1/2 ton which would be a 3 Ton/Tonne military rating.

What I do not have very regrettably is wheelbases of U.S. military Chevrolets. I have a complete list of all cars and trucks, and would suggest that the 4 x 4 could have been a Model YQ [Cargo Long] but without seeing a photo I can't be certain.

You must be right about the supply. It was Mr Vanderveen that proved that because GM and Ford supplied the Dutch Government with DAF-Trado conversions, and even published a photo of a long line of trucks awaiting delivery to the NEI, the orders were indeed shipped out from Antwerp.

After Antwerp was abandoned in May 1940 some GMCs and other GM vehicles intended for the Dutch/Belgian forces ended up at La Rochelle. These were seized by the Germans and then built-up and used, presumably on the Eastern Front. We also know that after the Japanese invasion of the NEI shipments of vehicles ended up in Australia as diverted cargoes, and Ford and Holden's then built them up with military bodies of various designs.

Now the question is what about post-May 1940? Up until then I can see no problem with shipments from Antwerp being handled by GM Java, and then delivered accordingly. This is because all GM subsidiaries paid for everything in U.S. dollars through New York as a clearing house. Thus GM Continental S.A. supplied G.M. Java Handel Mij with New York handling the payments.

Deliveries to GM Java after the Fall of France would have been made by New York, direct through General Motors Overseas Operations Division, with military trucks probably being sourced from Flint, Michigan Plant. By June 1940 G.M. had offices in New York and Detroit and Washington dealing with military vehicle contracts for the U.S. Quartermaster-General. The QMG handled all overseas sales especially purchases by the Allied [later British] Purchasing Commission in New York and Washington.

I have a possible answer as to what those trucks were doing in Batavia. We know from photographic evidence that the Japanese seized and then used Chevrolet cars and trucks in the NEI generally. When the allies liberated they recaptured vehicles which would then have been put back into service. I am also mulling over whether any trucks issued to the NEI forces in Australia were shipped to Java?

The information I have gleaned about GM Java has been acculumlated over many years. There was a reference in the War Claims Settlement published in Washington to the GM Java factory but my papers are in storage and I cannot access them.

May I please ask if you can in due course copy any papers that you have relating to U.S. correspondence? G.M. sold a number of Chevrolets [1000 ordered] to Yugoslavia in 1940-1941, and these were intended to be used by the military. New York handled the sale and we even know the unit price!