The photos of the Chevrolets in New Guinea are more than likely nothing to do with Dutch East Indies. The late model one is obviously a civilian truck (chrome grille, commercial tray, roof cut back in a field? mod) the earlier one has a common civilian style "home made" cab and tray found on any Australian farm or town delivery service of the period.
When the Japanese took the towns of Lae and Salamaua (only 50 miles from Finschhafen where the photos were shot) they captured numerous civilian vehicles in these thriving communities. Rabaul (200 miles away) also was a source of a number of vehicles.
I suspect the fairly high percentage of allied vehicles shown in wartime photos as being recaptured are not a true representaton of the quantities. They are of naturally increased interest to a photographer, recognizable to the folks at home and show the good guys always win and get their marbles back.
Lang
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12-12-05, 05:35
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