[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Dear Hanno,

I have been waiting for my saviour so many years. On 9 Feb 1974 I met my "Java Tiger" (For respect a Tiger is allways written with a capital T and adressed as "Tuan Harimau = Mr Tiger or "Nona Harimau" = Mrs Tiger, if the sex is known).

Anyhow my "Tiger" is an "Anak KNIL" - a daughter of the KNIL.
Granpa SMA did in 1906 (then in Inf VI, later Inf XV) arrest relatives of her gran-granpa (The Radja of Boni). Fater SMI (Inf VII) murdered by the Japanese on Tarakan in 1942 + (so far) another four relatives died in WW 2. (Research ongoing - so far only one KiA, the others died unarmed in the hands of the Japanese).

Anyhow since 1974 I have been collecting facts about the KNIL. I got personal friends with a o Col Heshusius (who I provided with a number of pictures - and who provided me with a lot of documents) the late LtCol Kroesen and AOOI Piet van Meel (Editor of "Stabelan" magazine).

The US 2nd Bn/131 Field Arty is called "the lost Bn".I would call the KNIL the lost Army.

I would like to preserve the memory of the KNIL lost in 1950. All information I can supply will be provided.

Tonight is a happy evening. If I hadn´t already visited our local pub, I should go there to celebrate the "Return of the KNIL", but I have to be pleased with my fridge.

Enclosed please find how the KNIL managed to improve speed for the 75 mm L/30 Krupp M/1911-33 from 30 to 60 km/h.

Cordially,

Stellan