"1942 Marmon-Herrington ID Plate Chinese Truck" - Chinese, anyone?!?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
As far as I know they were only used in combat once: on 2 March 1942 the KNIL engaged the Japanese forces using seven Marmon-Herrington Light Tanks and seventeen Vickers-Carden-Loyd Commercial Model 1936 Light Tanks. It was the first and last(!) battle in which Dutch troops used tanks.

Here's some more information on this action:

Shortly after the Japanese landed on Java, the Mobile Column spearheaded a major counter-attack against Japanese units holding Soebang village and Kalidjati airfield on Eastern Java. Although all three tank platoons successfully penetrated the Japanese lines and briefly operated at will, the mechanized infantry company was unable to advance at the same pace. As a result, the tanks were cut off in an urban environment without infantry support. The Japanese then brought up 47mm AT guns and were able to knock out a number of tanks and armored cars.

The Dutch attack stalled as night approached and the Column’s commander decided to withdrawal and regroup. Although the Vickers tanks had radios, the newly arrived Marmon-Herringtons did not, so he was forced to send motorcycles onto the battlefield carrying the orders to fall back. By the time the Dutch managed to disengage, their losses numbered 13 tanks, one armored car, five Overalwagens and one AT gun. The Column also lost 14 dead, 13 wounded and 36 missing.

Source: "Dutch (KNIL) Armoured Units in the Dutch East Indies, 1941-1942" by Tom Womack