Footsteps of Sparrow Force

[Ian Skennerton]

Hi Charles,
Yes, the Dutch groups are recognised and mentioned in our production although those on West Timor surrendered promptly. The Dutch units that went with the 2nd Ind. Coy. to Dili, East Timor under van Straaten and fought on through 1942-43 did much better, distinguishing themselves after Sparrow Force was withdrawn to Australia in December 1942.

We have full nominal rolls and sub-units of the Australian and British groups but I was not able to access any of the Dutch records. Rod Beattie at the Thai Burma Railway Museum at Kanchanaburi in Thailand has records of the Dutch p-o-w's who perished on the line, but apart from that, I don't know where records of the N.E.I. forces would be. Maybe in Holland?
Cheers, Ian

[charlesderuyterII]

Thanks Ian!!

[Surpmil]

An article on Australian optical production in WWII: http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bspar...ers/mellor.htm