Thanks David and Hanno for the replies! Fantastic...
So David, can I conclude that before May 1940 most GM Java plant vehicles arrived from US/Canada through Antwerp (and Eindhoven-Daf) and after that orders were directed straight to US factories?
It's fascinating that you know a lot about the Java plant, I thought most info had been lost.
I think the NEI were home to a number of interesting GM vehicles before the war: Ford Staff cars (Commandowagen), pick-up's. Chevrolet ambulances, light AA trucks and armoured overvalwagens, all on GM chassis. Vehicles that are little known but deserve more attention. Well, that's how I feel about it.
Hanno, thanks for directing me to this forum. I am happy being a new member!
About the sources:
In a few weeks I will have moved to my new house and have my new scanner (connected). So I will definitely put some of the pictures I have on this thread.
Before me I have an article by RJ Claassen on the motorization of KNIL Artillery in 1942. This article is from a magazine on Dutch military history.
Page 19 (translating roughly): "Already in 1940 the First Field Arty Battalion of KNIL (AIVd) was equipped with GM Canada Chevrolet Maple Leaf, a 3-ton (Dutch tons?-Nuyt) military truck with all terrain tyres, that had been converted to 4x4." Claassen is quoting from Stabelan, a now defunct magazine written by KNIL veterans.
In the US Mission Report from August 1941 (kindly provided to me by mr Leland Ness) KNIL is said to have 200 Chevrolet FWD 1 1/2 ton trucks, while still in need of another 900. The 900 needed might not necessarily have been the same type as the arty tractors.
A note to the report says: "These trucks (Chevrolet 1 1/2 tons, 160 inch wheelbase) are normally bought from GM, Java, are received in CKD condition and assembled at the plant."
At the time of writing, the note goes on, there was a shortage of trucks but GM expected the arrival by october 1941 of a further 1100 trucks and after that a substantial number each month.
I also have some copies (provided again my Mr Ness) of the correspondence in the US about diverting 300 Chevrolet chassis and cab (of the 900 needed) to the Dutch Indies from the Detroit plant. These were 4x4 1 1/2 ton trucks from US army production.
Kind regards,
met vriendelijke groet,
Nuyt
