WesWorld

12 May

The Courts Martial of Navy released its verdict following its in camera hearing.
Schout bij Nacht Mertens sat in the centre of the long table as the defendants were called in one by one to hear their verdict.

Luitenant ter Zee der 2e klasse Schelk, the K-34's navigation officer was exonerated, much to the officer's relief. Being a mid-career officer a negative verdict could easily have ended his career or would have seen him shore-bound at the least.

Luitenant ter Zee 3de klasse Bocuhet, the young radio officer aboard the K-34 was held responsible for the poor performance of the men under his command. The judges ruled his training had been insufficient and that he had lacked oversight of his mens' duties. He was ordered to retake the officer course at the Officers College before he could be re-assigned to any ship or shore-based supervisory role, but he escaped demotion from the officer ranks or expulsion from the service. Whether it would stain his subsequent career was something only time could tell.

Seaman Taschen, the radio operator on duty at the time of incident was exonerated. He could rejoin the K-34 and complete the rest of his submarine training course.

Seaman Prits, the radio operator who had come off duty before the incident and who had misfiled the vital communique RS/A-203N-64 and failed to give his relief a proper briefing before leaving the radio compartment was found guilty of gross negligence and was expelled from the service.

13 May
In a brief communique the Navy Ministry announced that that following a courts martial, one sailor from the K-34 had been dismissed for gross negligence while on duty and one officer had been cautioned for his actions leading up to the incident.

26 May
The T.O.P. (Tot Ons Plezier)multi sports club in Paramaribo, Suriname has been renamed from N.A.K.S. (Na Arbeid Komt Sport). Aside from Football, NAKS also has a korfball and gymnastics teams.

30 May
The Army has sent several teams to represent the Netherlands in the competitions of the 1948 Militariad held in Russia against some of the best military completion teams from across Europe.
A team drawn from the 4th Panser Regiment, including four Dutch T-44 tanks which were shipped to the Alabino Proving Ground near Moscow, participated in the Armoured Spearhead. This event pitted a platoon of medium tanks and their crews to a timed cross-country drive through obstacles including hills, water obstacles, tank traps, and rough terrain, ending on a shooting range with pop-up targets, to be engaged both with main gun and machine guns. The 4th Panser team came second behind the French and ahead of a strong German team.
Other teams participating in other events were; three teams drawn from the Regiment Limburgse Jagers, the Regiment Infanterie Oranje Gelderland and the Garderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers in the Grenadier Challenge, a team from the 1e Royal Guard Dragoon Regiment in the Presentation, a team from the 1e Parachute Fusilier Regiment in the Parachute Raid, a team drawn from the Regiment Stoottroepen King William in the 250km Raid, another team drawn from the Garderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers in the Sapper's Challenge and two teams drawn from the 5th Regiment Korps Veldartillerie and the 3rd Regiment Korps Veldartillerie in the Thunderbolt / Artillery Biathlon. The sole silver medallist finish helped the Netherlands to finish in sixth place overall, but several Army sources have noted disappointment that the other Dutch teams did not fare better, but others have pointed out that resources were scare and only a few teams could make the event.

1 June
The Minister of Defence Wim Schokking confirmed today that the change of status of the Kongo and Ubangi-Shari as provinces will alter the status of their armed forces. They will be brought once again within the overall structure of the Dutch armed forces rather than being standalone structures but will retain operational independence and will still be responsible for local recruitment, supply and procurement. As with the Dutch East Indies, there will also be a degree of local political oversight. Changes in manpower are not foreseen.

8 June
An explosion at the ammunition bunker Diogenes at Koningsweg has killed five people. A police investigation is underway.

14 June

The Philippine vice-presidential delegation led by Vice President Roxas arrived at Schiphol Airport this afternoon. Vice President Roxas and his delegation are on a European visit to discuss the security situation in the Far East. Talks will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

19 June
Admiraal of the Far East Fleet, Admiraal Maarten Winters, reported to the Naval Headerquarters in Den Helder today that recent aircraft carrier group exercises in the Celebes Sea involving the 2nd and 3rd Carrier Divisions have been completed successfully. It is reported that Exercise Diamant lasted for six days and was designed to test both the defensive capabilities of the carrier group as a unit and to conduct mass airstrikes from aircraft carriers to overwhelm enemy forces.

29 June
The Aardappelmeel Verkoop Bureau (Potato Flour Sales Office) starch manufacturers, supported by several famers’ collectives have today formally merged all its cooperatives into one company as AVEBE. In recent years the focus has shifted from native starch to the production of starch derivatives.

1 July
A new newspaper has hit the newsstands in Surabaya, Java, today. The Jawa Pos (Java Post) has been launched by local business man Suseno Tedjo. The newspaper's motto is, "There is always something new".

2 July
Fokker has signed a production agreement enabling the Italian aircraft manufacturer Macchi to build the S.15 Instructor under licence as the Macchi M.416. The S.15 is a development of the S.11 powered by a 260hp Minerva-Avia Minion Minor engine. The prototype was first flown in May 1948 and the first deliveries will be made to the Luchtmacht in December 1948.

7 July
Voters head to the polling stations all over Holland today to cast their votes in the General Election. The turnout was 93% (the Netherlands has had a system of compulsory voting since 1917).

8 July
The results of the General Election are:
De Progressieve Eland-Stier Partij (Progressive Party, PEP): 38 members (25%)
Rooms-Katholieke Volkspartij (Catholic Peoples Party, RKVP): 33 members (22%)
Partij van de Arbeid (Labour Party, PvDa): 27 members (18%)
Vrijheidsbond (Freedom League): 13 members (8.6%)
Arbeiders-Democratische Bond (Democratic Workers' League): 12 members (8%)
De Mannen met Zeer Boze Blikken Partij (DMZSBD): 9 members (6%)
Communistische Partij Holland (Communist Party of Holland): 8 members (5%)
Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, VVD): 8 members (5%)
Liberale Staatspartij de Vrijheidsbond (Liberal State Party, LSP): 2 members (1.3%)
Sociaal Democratische Arbeiders Partij (Social Democratic Workers' Party, SDAP): 0 members

The Dutch election results once again have failed to produce a clear majority party. Negotiations have begun between party leaders to secure a coalition cabinet to run the country. Mathematically it looks very difficult for the Vrijheidsbond and DMZSBD to recreate their coalition formula.

10 July
A new coalition government has been formed. The Progressive Party has allied with the Catholic Peoples Party, the Labour Party, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy and the Liberal State Party. Together they hold 108 seats (72%) in the Tweede Kamer. This is a major political change, the first for thirteen years that the centre-left has held the seat of power. Talks are now underway to settle the cabinet positions.

12 July
A new coalition Council of Ministers has been formed.
Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs: Eduard Land
Deputy Prime Minister: Josef van Schaik
Minister of the Interior: Johan van Maarseveen
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Dirk Stikker
Minister of Defence: Wim Schokking
Minister of Finance: Piet Lieftinck
Minister of Economic Affairs: Gerardus Huysmans
Minister of Social Affairs and Employment: Ko Suurhoff
Minister of Education, Sciences and Culture: Theo Rutten
Minister of Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: Dolf Joekes
Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Sicco Mansholt
Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment: Jos Gielen
Staatssecretaris of Justice: Charles Lambert
Staatssecretaris of the Army: Alexander Fiévez
Staatssecretaris of the Air Force: Theo Baars
Staatssecretaris of the Navy: Rear Admiraal (Ret) Jules Schagen van Leeuwen
Staatssecretaris of the Marines: Willem de Rave

17 July
The coaster Amstelstroom ran aground on Lundy Island in poor weather today off the British county of Devon United Kingdom. All eleven crew managed to scramble ashore.

18 July
Baron Owija and his clan were unhappy at the disbanding of the Kingdom of Kongo Army and its absorption as part of the overall Dutch structure. The increased pay scales had mollified the soldiers but what annoyed the Baron and his family (all of whom held positions of influence in the Army) was that the Dutch had cleverly not only maintained their Royal rule but that they had now also direct control of the Army from The Hague. Why should he, a noble Baron, have to take orders from a bureaucrat thousands of miles away?

21 July
The new Prime Minister Eduard Land has accepted the invitation of the German Chancellor to visit Berlin for talks on future co-operation. It is believed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dirk Stikker, will accompany the Prime Minister.

22 July
The Defence Ministry today ordered 115 Fokker D.XXVIIIA jet fighters for the Royal Netherlands Air Force East Indies Command (KLNI). This is a variant of the basic D.XXVIII design with several changes requested by the KLNI. The main differences are; stronger undercarriage, improved cockpit air conditioning, greater generator capacity, hardpoints capable of carrying up to 500kg each and a more powerful 3,500lb Swazi 4 turbojet. Deliveries are likely to begin in September 1949.

28 July
DAF announced today that they are working on three new trucks for the Netherlands Army using the standard DAF H-Drive transmission to provide good cross-country performance. The YA-054 will be a new standard 4x4 vehicle and the YA-126 will be a 1 tonne capacity 4x4 general purpose truck and the YA-318 will be a 3 tonne capacity 6x6 general purpose truck. Prototypes are currently under development and all three should enter service around 1950. Commercial versions will also be available.

Baron Owija...?

Hmm. Hell hath no fury than a Baron scorned.

1 August
Today the airline KNILM (Royal Dutch Indian Airlines) has officially opened its new subsidary KNILM Interinsulair Bedrijf (KNILM Interinsular Service) to operate all inter-DEI commercial flights, leaving KNILM to operate international services from its main airport hubs. The Kroonduif subsidiary will continue to operate aerial services across New Guinea.

7 August
Today marks the first Grote Prijs van Nederland (Dutch Grand Prix) which was held on the brand new circuit at Zandvoort. The race was won by Thailand's Prince Bira in an old Maserati 4CL. Second place went to Tony Rolt driving an Alfa Romeo Tipo-B and third place was claimed by Reg Parnell driving a Maserati 4CLT.
The first street race in Zandvoort was held on June 3 1939 but plans for a permanent track stalled until Le Mans winner, S. C. H. "Sammy" Davis was brought in as a track design advisor in July 1946.

19 August
There was much hand-shaking and smiles for the cameras today as several leading figures in the Dutch aviation industry signed the formal document creating the Foundation for the Development and Construction of an Experimental Helicopter (Stichting voor de Ontwikkeling en Bouw van een Experimenteel Hefschroefvliegtuig –SOBEH). SOBEH has been founded to foster research and development of Dutch helicopters. This initiative was launched with the support of the NLL, NIV and RSL research institutes.

23 August
In Amsterdam today the World Council of Churches has been formally established at the first General Assembly.
The World Council of Churches is one of the major international Christian ecumenical organisations and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The WCC represents most Christian denominations, such as the Eastern Orthodox churches, Old Catholic Church, Protestant Churches, the Anglican Church, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, several Reformed churches and some liberal churches. Willem Visser 't Hooft of the Dutch Reformed Church and the Swiss Church Federation has been nominated as the General Secretary. The next General Assembly will be held in seven years’ time.

1 September
The ex-Belgian liner Burgondier, laid up for many years awaiting conversion into a naval support ship has been formally reclassified as a Troop Transport (Assault) following a recent refit. Fitted with davits holding small landing craft she is intended to support an seaborne attack alongside the two purpose-built Amsterdam Class landing ships (one of which is yet to complete). It is believed that the funds for the conversion were released when the Marines were expanded and taken under the control of the Navy.

13 September
The new Prime Minister Eduard Land and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dirk Stikker, have arrived in Berlin on a diplomatic visit at the invitation of the German Chancellor to visit Berlin for talks on future co-operation.

17 September
Dominic Kelo, a long-time Ubangian Socialist Action Party member and activist and supporter of welfare charities has been appointed States-Generaal of Ubangi-Shari.

18 September
At the RAI exhibition this week the coachbuilding companies Kromhout Motorenfabriek N.V. and NV Verheul showcased their joint-project, the self-supporting VB48-bus body. It drew the attention of several local bus operators and it is believed several orders were received.

N’Dofa sat overlooking the Red Sea through the window of his room. He mused over the latest news he had received. A visitor from home had lamented the muddle that Limbani’s government had made of everything. Money was going into schools but the people still found it hard to find work and feed their families. On top of this Limbani had tried to bargain for independence but got talked into letting the country become a full colony of the Dutch. N’Dofa scoffed only a fool would have done such a thing. His visitor had brought tales of dissatisfaction in the Army, many of the officers had lost their jobs and now the men had been forced to swear new oaths to the Dutch King. It was bad enough to have to declare loyalty to a socialist troublemaker, but a foreign king was even worse. N’Dofa mused that he was still popular with some in the Army, that when the time came they would rally to his call. He knew others were put out too, in the Kongo the Owija Clan were finding their loss of status in the Army humiliating, this had made them more agreeable to his cause. Indeed one of the younger Owija’s had overlooked one of N’Dofa’s bands camped out just inside the border. He felt sure they would provide more solid help when the time came, rumours had reached his ears that a messenger from the Baron had tried to find him in Kenya. N’Dofa was still a nomad, roaming the continent, still one step ahead of the colonials and still able to use his network for nefarious purposes. For the time being the Italian East African State was home. The sale of some military secrets via an intermediary had proved profitable and several groups across the colony were smuggling and dealing in arms. N’Dofa had cut himself into the business, a few amateurs found themselves paying the price. He had everything he needed, a stable base, weapons, men and money. Not enough yet to go back and take over, but each day he grew stronger.

Cue a few bars of ominous music. :D

20 September
The East Indies fleet have begun five days of intensive fleet exercises in the Celebes Sea, all classes of ships are involved from capital ships, aircraft carriers and destroyers to minesweepers and submarines.

27 September
The Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij (The Netherlands Trading Society) has acquired the De Surinaamsche Bank. This bank, headquartered in Amsterdam, had been founded by Simon Abendanon on 19 January 1865 in Paramaribo and opened for business on 18 July 1865 and was responsible for issuing bank-notes in Suriname for many years.

5 October
The Air Force has ordered 60 Fokker F.25 Promotor aircraft for the communications role with removable dual-controls and quick-change capability for the air ambulance role. This single-engined, twin-boomed, four-seat monoplane with a pusher engine is a development of the C.XIII observation aircraft. When being used as an air ambulance aircraft it can carry a patient on a stretcher, which is loaded through a hatch in the aircraft's nose. Production is carried out by Aviolanda under sub-contract from Fokker.
Fokker has recently completed production of the T.X twin-engine bomber and its T.XM maritime patrol counterpart.

15 October
The company Chemical Factory Naarden N.V. (CFN) which manufactures flavours, fragrances, antioxidants for food preservation of food and Vitamin C has opened a factory in Belgium to increase production.

20 October
Off Balikpapan six days of intensive naval exercises have begun. Exercise Golden Horn is designed to test the readiness of the DEI's coastal defence fleet.

27 October
Discussions began in Amsterdam today about the possibility of forming a Dutch television network across the country. A panel of experts has been appointed to assess the technical requirements a television broadcasting system would require. It is possible that an initial broadcasting channel could be operational within two years.

1 November
The Governor General of the Dutch East Indies, Dr Hubertus Johannes van Mook has been dismissed and replaced by Dr Louis Joseph Maria Beel.

Van Mook has long been in favour of progressive Indonesian politics and in 1930 was one of the founders of the so-called ‘Weir Group'. As a member of the Assembly, Van Mook called for improving the living standard of the Javanese population and the better treatment of political prisoners. On 20 November 1941 he became Minister of Colonies but he remained in the Dutch East Indies and became lieutenant governor-general before being appointed by Queen Wilhelmina as Governor General on 1 November 1945. A supporter of the Confederation Plan he got local political support for the proposal. Although he has been instrumental in maintain local support for Dutch administration, he has often gone against Dutch government policy, for example meeting with political prisoners such as Sukarno but it is believed that Queen Wilhelmina prevented the dismissal of Van Mook as proposed by the Cabinet. However, now the Queen is dead he has lost his political allies back in the Netherlands and has been replaced, eventually he chose to resign rather than suffer the ignominy of being sacked.

Dr Louis Joseph Maria Beel has extensive political experience, having entered local governance and political during the early 1920s and gaining a degree in law at the Roman Catholic University of Nijmegen in 1928. A member of the RKVP (Rooms-Katholieke Volkspartij or Catholic Peoples Party) he served as Staatssecretaris of Foreign Affairs during the 1939-42 Loeder government, then becoming Staatssecretaris of Internal Affairs in the 1942-46 government. His appointment is considered a safe pair of hands and his views are more in tune with the Dutch government’s than van Mook’s.

5 November
A tornado happened to occur exactly on the site of an anemometer on Vlieland. The result was the recording of a wind speed of 202km/h, the highest wind gust ever recorded in the Netherlands.

14 November
The Ubangi-Shari government today formally agreed to join the Customs Union.

17 November
Electrorail N.V. has been founded as a subsidiary of the Dutch Railways focusing on the applications of electronics. The head office is located in Utrecht.
Electrorail originated from the Railway Construction Company, located in Maarssen and manufactures train motors, small electric motors, frequency converters and parts for the Amsterdam tram and Arnhem trolleybus fleets. The Electro Coat Division manufactures anti-rust special coatings in cooperation with the Van Gulik company based in De Meern. The Plate and Construction Division in Daalsedijk manufactures sheet metal and equipment like railway signals, disconnectors and switches, exchange counters and electronics cabinet construction.