Today I received photocopies of my grandfather Han Samethini's military records. They include a Japanese "kampkaartje" (POW camp identification card). The name of the camp, located in Malang, is written in Japanese. I am trying to get this translated.
The card states that Samethini was attached to the VI Infantry (battalion?). Can anyone tell me about this KNIL unit and its deployments? Did these soldiers fight in the defense of Malang?
"The card states that Samethini was attached to the VI Infantry (battalion?). Can anyone tell me about this KNIL unit and its deployments? Did these soldiers fight in the defense of Malang?"
Inf VI is shorthand for 6th infantry batallion. This unit was deployed at Balikpapan (Borneo) for the defense of the oil installations. As Malang (Java) was never attacked there is not something one could call "a fight for the defense of" it.
Thanks for the clarification. My grandfather was mobilized in Balikpapan on 8 December, 1941. He managed to make his way (with some other BPM personnel and soldiers) the through the jungle to Samarinda II airfield, and was flown to Java. He was hospitalized for malaria/blackwater fever before the capitulation. Evidently the hospital was in Malang, as the Japanse POW card lists that city as his place of capture. He told me he marched straight from the hospital to the prison camp.
Can anyone confirm the meaning of certain abbreviations in my grandfather's military record? The section "Wapen" is filled out as: Inf. Art. I take it this means Infantry and Artillery. Before his rank, Sgt., is the abbreviation Mil. Does this signify Militia? Before attaining the rank of sergeant, he is listed as "Brigadier". Was that the KNIL equivalent to an army corporal?
My grandfather's militia training began in 1935, by which time he was 18 or 19 years old, and the training periods occur roughly twice each year. Was this militia the Stadswacht, or was it considered part of the KNIL?
"Before his rank, Sgt., is the abbreviation Mil. Does this signify Militia?"
--no, mil means Milicien; that means conscripted as opposed to professional.
"he is listed as "Brigadier"
--a brigadier is an european corporal first class
"My grandfather's militia training began in 1935, by which time he was 18 or 19 years old, and the training periods occur roughly twice each year. Was this militia the Stadswacht, or was it considered part of the KNIL?"
--not militia nor stadswacht, a milicien is a young conscript (a landstormer is an old conscript). After their initial training and stay with the army the conscripts could be called up for duty when the army mobilized. As such they are reservist and after call up they are fullblown military.