Royal Netherlands East Indies Army 1936–42 (Men-at-Arms) - Softcover

Lohnstein, Dr Marc

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1472833759 ISBN 13: 9781472833754

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2018

Synopsis

Until 1945, Indonesia was a Dutch colony known as the Netherlands East Indies. In 1930, the area had over 60 million inhabitants and was a major exporter to Japan, providing some 13 per cent of its oil needs - second only after the United States. Following Germany's occupation of the Netherlands in May 1940, Japan decided to expand its influence in the Netherlands East Indies.

Defending the colony was the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL). This force, designed primarily for colonial policing, underwent a series of cutbacks in the interwar years before adopting a modernisation programme in 1936, which focused on building up a strike air force, introducing tanks and increasing the firepower of the infantry and artillery.

Fully illustrated with period photographs and full-colour artwork, this book examines the dress, insignia, equipment, organization and combat performance of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army as it faced the all-conquering Japanese forces in World War II.

About this title

Review:

"Very little information about the KNIL just prior to, and during WWII has found its way into English language publications. However, this volume by Dutch author and historian Marc Lohnstein has tapped numerous Dutch language sources, including the vast resources of the Museum Bronbeek, to present the first concise record in English of the KNIL as it fought against the initial Japanese onslaught in the Far East. It provides a much needed resource to describe one of the often neglected Allied combatants of the opening phase of the Pacific War." - IPMS / USA

Book Description:

Sure to appeal to modellers, wargamers, re-enactors, and all those interested in the Japanese victories of early World War II, this fully illustrated study casts new light on the Dutch forces that defended the Indonesian archipelago.

About this edition

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1472833759
• ISBN 13: 9781472833754
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Hook Adam