The DutchIndonesian War 194549: Armies of the Indonesian War of Independence

(Paperback)

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Highly detailed and colourful, this account illustrates the struggle of Indonesian forces in their War of Independence against the Netherlands, following the surrender of occupying Japanese forces in 1945. Following on from MAA 521 Royal Netherlands East Indies Army 193642 and completing the coverage of the post-World War II wars of decolonization, The DutchIndonesian War 194549 describes the Japanese surrender in September 1945 which left a power vacuum in the colonial Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). Using vivid colour illustrations and rare photos, this title depicts the various forces involved in the struggle for Indonesia: the British Indian Army troops sent to key areas to disarm Japanese garrisons, the Indonesian nationalists who immediately proclaimed an independent Republic, remaining Japanese troops, and the Dutch forces which arrived in 1946. The wide dispersion of populations, and their ethnic, religious and political differences ensured that the struggle which followed was complex. Fragmented bands of nationalist permuda insurgents were slowly brought together under command of a republican army (the BKR, later TKR, and finally the TNI, complete with naval and air elements), but stubborn negotiations alternated with bouts of major fighting. This book details how the nationalists were defeated by Dutch and Dutch-led local forces in urban areas (e.g. during Operations Product and Crow, 1947 and 1948), but how their guerrillas evaded Dutch troops in the jungle hills and swamps. Illustrating a wide range of uniforms, insignia, personal weapons and equipment, this study showcases the troops and armour involved in the conflict.

Reviews

Recommended for anyone interested in the complex history of decolonisation and the oft overlooked history of the Dutch military. * Military Modelcraft International *

Author Bio

MARC LOHNSTEIN holds an MA in History and his main areas of interests are the equipment, uniforms and tactics of the army and police organization in the former Dutch colonies in Indonesia and Surinam. He has published several studies on these subjects and various titles for Osprey including CAM 364: The Netherlands East Indies Campaign 194142: Japan's Quest for Oil and MAA 521: Royal Netherlands East Indies Army 193642. He works as assistant curator at the Royal Home for Retired Military Personnel & Museum Bronbeek at Arnhem in the Netherlands.