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42 Armoured Cars |
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42nd
Independent Reconnaissance Squadron (RHB)
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by
H.C.Voges, colonel ret.
Arrival and training of the personnel. The conscripts intended for the Squadron arrived at the Prins Willem III Barracks in Amersfoort during the second half of 1948. After a short basic training they were divided over various schools for functional training, i.e. weaponschool, communications school, driving school etc. Due to a continuing shortage of instruction vehicles the driving instruction could not be finalized and had to be continued in the Dutch Indies. Foundation
and organization of the Squadron. |
all this time, the largest sugar enterprise in the East then, far removed from our staff in Probolingo. They had had a very good time there and were rather envied by everybody else in the Squadron. Excellent housing, a swimmimg pool and spoilt by the planters as well. The territory they were responsible for was large indeed, but it was rather quiet in comparison with other territories our units were responsible for Finally,on 10th July, our mortar platoon was reunited and posted in Porong, in an old and largely destroyed sugar-factory together with the 8th Squadron Armoured Vehicles. Their most important task was to go on patrol with units of the 8th SAV and to accompany covoys between Porong-Bangil-Pasoeroean and Probolingo and back, a tiring and rather dangerous task. 13th July. Our first wounded casualty Hussar Wilkoos of the 2nd platoon, shot in the upper-arm, fortunately not seriously wounded. 20th July. We received word that our cornets had been promoted to the rank of 2nd res. lieutenant. This fact was celebrated as far as in Probolingo, but they were not sworn-in until later. 29th July. The Squadron staff also moved to Porong. 3rd August. Hussar Faber of the 1st platoon lost his life at a traffic accident near Klakah. In addition, there were four wounded, fortunately not seriously. 8th August. Not far from Porong a train ran on a mine. Some vehicles from the 8th Squadron and our mortar platoon departed immediately to lend assistance and to deploy at the scene of the attack. On the way back near Wonokerto major Bosch's jeep ran onto a mine. The major and his driver hussar Olij, were slightly wounded only, fortunately. The jeep became a total write-off. 25th August. The various postings of the 2nd and 3rd platoons were ended and the Squadron, except the 1st platoon, was billeted in old dilapidated Japanese barracks in Madioen. These ruins were situated outside the town on a bleak sandy plain. The heat was suffocating, the bilik roofing material was full of holes, and when it rained it was pouring inside the building almost as much as outside. It was the worst place we stayed at during the whole of our period in the Indies. Among others our duties were convoying lorries,lending protection to the airport Maospati, patrolling in vehicles and on foot. Section of the platoons were posted also for a few days at infantry-outposts such as Ponogoro and surroundings and when these posts were handed over to the TNI, at Balong, Badegan, Sampoeng, Tjampoersari, Blingi and Megatan, during the first two weeks of October. End November vehicles that could not be repaired before the hand over of Madioen to the TNI were sent back to Soerabaja. Early December 1949 Madioen was handed over to the TNI and the Squadron moved to Soerabaja where they were billited in the Engineers barracks near the Wonokromo bridge. The 1st platoon rejoined the Squadron. Christmas and the New Year were celebrated there and a quiet time followed. Many sporting events took place and outings were organised to the lovely cool area of Trètes. Gradually the armoured cars were handed in, followed by the other armoured vehicles. Wheeled transport was kept as long as possible. Early May the Squadron found itself housed in the harbour godowns in Soerabaja's harbour district and the monotonous task of guard duties in the harbour and the patrolling in town began. "Welfare" Service organised holiday trips of a few days to Bali. A number of lucky persons amongst us have been able to avail themselves of this offer before the Squadron sailed to Batavia per M.V. "Zuiderkruis" at the end of August and was placed there for a few days in transit camp "Makassar". Then embarkation took place early September on the U.S. troopship "General Ballou" and the adventures had ended for the 42nd ZVE in the Dutch Indies. Following a successful voyage the Squadron arrived in Rotterdam harbour on 7th October 1950 and left for a weldeserved disembarkation leave. Demobilization took place during the period up to and including 31st October 1950. Personalia, regular-reservists,of the 42nd Reconnaissance Squadron. Between ( ) last rank. Major W.D. Bosch (Lieutenant-colonel), deceased 1st Lieutenant J.H.C. Voges (colonel), deceased 2nd Lieutenant C. Meijaard (major) cornet R.S. Schortinghuis (Cavalry Captain), deceased cornet J. Schoenmaker (2nd Lieutenant), deceased cornet N.M Hart (2nd Lieutenant) cornet J. Hellenberg-Habar (2nd Lieutenant) cornet G.W. Corporaal (2nd Lieutenant) 2nd Lieutenant E.A. Krijgsman cornet mr. J.O.J. Idenburg (2nd Lieutenant) C.S.M. B. Bouma, (warrant-officer), deceased P.S. On arrival in the Indies the 42nd ZVE was renamed 42nd PAW. Its new emblem was designed by Hussar Zwetsloot. More is to be told about Zwetsloot. A day after the Sabang outing hussar Zwetsloot was ordered to do some fatigue duty. Instead, he opted to jump overboard and did so. In spite of the fact that the water was full of sharks he was saved just in time. When he was found, he was swimming round wearing a few life-buoys and still correctly wearing his cap. Here the story fizzles out, although the "Volendam" was delayed for many hours. |
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