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The Dutch Naval Air Force Against Japan: The Defense of the Netherlands East Indies, 1941-1942
December 7, 1941, opened up a new theater of war in the Pacific and a new threat for what was then the Netherlands East Indies. The Dutch, with their Naval Air Force or Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD), made a significant--and often overlooked--contribution to the Allied effort. With their 175 aircraft, the MLD in Southeast Asia outnumbered American and British naval air reconnaissance forces combined. Three months of intense fighting left the Dutch bereft of thousands of naval personnel and over 80 percent of their aircraft. This work details the actions of MLD during the Japanese invasion of the Netherlands East Indies. Beginning with a look at the origins of the MLD, it provides an overview of the force, including an analysis of its aircraft, equipment, personnel and training. Operations of the United States Navy and Royal Air Force seaplane units are included in order to provide a thorough history of the campaign. Final chapters cover the MLD's ill-fated attempts at evacuation of the island battleground and offer an overall review of the MLD's performance. Appendices contain such information as Allied and Japanese aircraft specifications, squadron tables of organization, and MLD bases and operational areas. The result is by far the most comprehensive English-language account of the Allied naval air war in the Netherlands East Indies.
217 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2006
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December 5, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I feel like I've read so many generic world war two books that I love it when I can find a book on an obscure little subject that is completly new to me. This was one of those books.
In alot of coverage of the initial Japanese victories the coverage of the initial victories south of hte Phillipines consists of only two items: the sinking of some British capital ships and the Navy Battle of the Java Sea.
This book looks at how the Japanese attacks affected the Dutch naval air force and the author does a very good job of explaining how they reacted to the invasion, tried to fight back, and how the campaign ended for them. And the story flows in an easy to read way, not a very dense historical narrative like some authors will slip into.
I think to an individual interested in the pacific theater, I think this book is a great addition to your library.
In alot of coverage of the initial Japanese victories the coverage of the initial victories south of hte Phillipines consists of only two items: the sinking of some British capital ships and the Navy Battle of the Java Sea.
This book looks at how the Japanese attacks affected the Dutch naval air force and the author does a very good job of explaining how they reacted to the invasion, tried to fight back, and how the campaign ended for them. And the story flows in an easy to read way, not a very dense historical narrative like some authors will slip into.
I think to an individual interested in the pacific theater, I think this book is a great addition to your library.
Displaying 1 of 1 review