tom d. friedman wrote:
at the very beginning of war w/ japan, did the dutch have any aerial victories over the Japanese when they invaded dutch new guinea, & the dutch east indies island colonies?? I know their combat defense was near impotent, & combat was brief until they were overwhelmed by Japanese strength. I know they had some Brewster buffalos, a few dornier flying boats/ pby's??, & some other cast off crate aircraft, maybe seversky p-35s?? ( they bought some from the u.s. for defense in Europe) for that matter, did the dutch have any brief victories on land or sea in their territory too?? my dad only related 1 time he had to speak / cooperate w/ dutch forces in those regions. he, as a captain of a 31st division (Dixie division) infantry rifle company had to board a dutch corvette or destroyer in 1944 for some reason. my dad wore no captain's rank insignia as the Japanese made it a point to knock off officers asap. he boarded their ship, stated his rank & business to the c.o., & was treated crudely w/ arrogance & militarily unprofessional while the ship's officers lounged on deck sipping cognac. the dutch contribution in the pacfic is 1 of the most ignored / overlooked combatants allied to u.s., aussies, new zealand from start of the war to finish.
No P-35s. They did have export models of the P-36 with a Wright 1820 engine, and export models of the Martin B-10.
Duane
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
A brave attempt but futile. 
