Osprey Publishing Men at Arms: Royal Netherlands East Indies Army 1936-42

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 percent 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 modernization 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-color 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.

Introduction

Geopolitical developments
Defence of the Netherlands East Indies: principles
Command and control

Organisation

Infantry
Tanks
Artillery
Air defence artillery
Cavalry
Engineers
Signals
Motor transport
Medical Service
Supplies
Aviation
Indigenous auxiliary corps
Army formation
Weapons

Combat History

Uniforms and Insignia

Bibliography

Glossary