“The captain of an Australian warship stood at the head of a long line of cars, buses and trucks. They were lined up for demolition at the port of Tjilatjap, Java at the time of the evacuation of 11th and 22nd Squadron personnel [7th Bomb Group] to Australia. Acid was poured into vehicle engines and their gas tanks were set on fire. The train in the background [? photo probably cropped for book and train no longer visible] also was destroyed before the troops departed.†“Some 11th and 22nd Squadron personnel awaited boarding the Dutch ship “Abbekerk†at Tjilatjap.†(Source: Pictorial History of the 7th Bombardment Group/Wing 1918-1995 (1998 7th BG Historical Foundation) from Wilbur W. Mayhew on page 86. (Credits to Wilbur W. Mayhew and Robert Smith)
Troops aboard Abbekerk on the shelterdeck (Source: page 239 of James D. Rorrison’s book, ‘Nor the Years Contemn: Air War on the Australian Front 1941-1942′ (Palomar Publications 1992) and Col. Ritchie B. Gooch.)
National Museum of The USAF in Dayton.)" >
Troops aboard Abbekerk (Source National Museum of The USAF in Dayton.)
Troops aboard Abbekerk (Source National Museum of The USAF in Dayton.)
"Mealtime on the Abbekerk"(source: '19th Bombardment Association')
Abbekerk seen from the bow. Picture by Captain James E. Crane, flight Surgeon FEAF (Thanks to Jim Crane)
Boat deck, midship Abbekerk. Picture by Captain James E. Crane, flight Surgeon FEAF (Thanks to Jim Crane)
Peter
Very interesting to see pics an read the stories of the Indonesian campaign, especially the Naval engagements near Java in early 1942. Similar problems today with poor communication or near total lack there of . Add to that of language differences to dramatically slow things up. Today we have near instantaneous interpretation.