Dutch Vickers Model 1936 - Netherlands East Indies

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Originally posted by ericnuyt
what did I find on the Beeldbank:

A Vickers in TNI (Tentara Nasional INdonesia) service, 1946. Unknown location, but must have been Java.

Thanks Nuyt, it is a Beauty!

But is it what we think? It is a VCL Tank and I agree that it is probably on Java.

There are - I suggest - two Japanese soldiers! (Japanese helmets, Japanese rifles, uniform style). And three Indonesians - armed with long rifles - but are they TNI or helping the Japanese?

The NEI Government used Japanese troops to mantain law and order from Aug 1945 and until the KNIL arrived - which took some time. I thus suggest that we see Japanese soldiers in service with the NEI "old regime".

The face of the tank driver is hardly visible. The tank commander - where is he? I think he was the one that took the picture.

So there are seven men celebrating something with this tank by making this photo and standing like triumphators.

Noone is dressed or equipped suitable to drive a tank, but we do not know what the driver and the potographer looks like. So:

1) These men have captured the tank?
2) The Japanese are handing over the tank to TNI?
3) These men have done some essential job together?
4) These men take a picture before going to action?

Wich Beeldbank - wich seekword - perhaps other pictures in the same series could leave a clue?

Stellan