The Dutch Naval Air Force Against Japan

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Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Dutch Naval Air Force, known as Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD), played a crucial yet often overlooked role in the early months of the Pacific War. With 175 aircraft, the MLD outnumbered the combined forces of American and British allies. However, in three months of intense combat, it suffered devastating losses, with 50 percent of its personnel and 80 percent of its aircraft lost as the Netherlands' colonial empire crumbled. This work provides an in-depth examination of MLD operations during the Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies, covering aspects such as organization, personnel, aircraft, equipment, and tactics. For the first time in English, it explores the failed evacuation of Java. The content includes acknowledgments, abbreviations, and a preface, followed by chapters detailing the MLD's equipment and doctrine, the buildup to war, and the subsequent months of conflict, including key events in December, January, February, and March. Additional sections feature appendices on MLD squadrons, aircraft specifications, and bases in the East Indies, along with charts depicting MLD losses. The book concludes with chapter notes, a bibliography, and an index, offering a comprehensive resource on this pivotal yet underrepresented aspect of the Pacific War.