M3 Stuart light tank, 1942

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Shane Lovell
This notes the following US registration numbers and serial numbers and suggests the vehicles were for US forces, not Dutch.

Shane, thanks for your most informative posting.

But, could you please explain the above remark? I'm asking because as far as I know, all vehicles built under US Ordnance contracts got US registration numbers and serial numbers, whether or not they were later sold/lend-leased to foreign nations.

The fact that MV Tosari was a Dutch ship (of the Rotterdam Lloyd) and arrived unexpectedly shortly after the fall of Java, to me is a strong indication this shipment of Stuart tanks was destined for the KNIL.

Possibly the details on the second shipment can either confirm or negate this assumption.

Thanks,
Hanno