South-African volunteers in the Netherlands East Indies Army

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

After that the Netherlands had been occupied by the Germans in May 1940 it became impossible draw reinforcements for the Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) from NL.

Instead the KNIL tried with some results to get Dutch-speaking (Afrikaans) volunteers from South Africa. There was a great shortage of Officers and NCOs.

Is there sombody who knows more about these SA volunteers?

The picture shows a class of SA volunteer NCOs in Bandoeng 1941, 1st Depot Bn. Sitting at the table their Instructor, Sergeant-Majoor-Instructeur J.F.H. Vanderheijden with wife.

I beleive they have just graduated as Sergeants.

Stellan