I'm fairly sure that providing Marmon-Herrington vehicles as Military Aid actually counts as a Ruse de Guerre, if not an out-and-out War Crime.
Sir John Valentine Carden Survives. Part 2.
- Thread starter allanpcameron
- Start date
Derek Pullem
Donor
Ouch!
Maybe they would do more for the Allied war effort if they were given to the Japanese?!
I mean, at least the machine guns worked? That's about it though. (And even then, only in CTLS. The MTLS MG mounts were completely useless and couldn't actually fit the guns)
From O.C. R.A.C. Training Team Batavia
To Headquarters Singapore
CC General Auckinleck
MOST URGENT
After evaluation of the CTLS tanks delivered to KNIL it was found they were unfit for purpose.
It is most urgent that any and all tanks that can be spared be dispatched forthwith to Batavia to equip the KNIL armoured units. Even repaired Vickers VI light tanks would be a huge improvement. As is KNIL armoured forces cannot be expected to engage the enemy with any hope of success.
Signed
Lt Col XXXXXXXXXXX
To Headquarters Singapore
CC General Auckinleck
MOST URGENT
After evaluation of the CTLS tanks delivered to KNIL it was found they were unfit for purpose.
It is most urgent that any and all tanks that can be spared be dispatched forthwith to Batavia to equip the KNIL armoured units. Even repaired Vickers VI light tanks would be a huge improvement. As is KNIL armoured forces cannot be expected to engage the enemy with any hope of success.
Signed
Lt Col XXXXXXXXXXX
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In what passes for the Mess and the NAFFI there will be many impolite comments on the breeding and intelligence of the Americans tank designers.
Oh my, that tank is really that bad, huh.
Perhaps they decided to send some throughout the colonies (with a small number of KNIL troops) for further evaluation, only to comeback with an quote for an order of Bob Semple tanks, whatever Tata is building and other random Allied equipment...?
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Yes, I too marvelled at the Chieftain's video. I can only imagine the amount of sheer horrified swearing in a Lazerpig video about the same tanks.
I suspect under combat conditions they would be no tank at all, having broken down somewhere inconvenient beforehand.
I wonder if the Dutch can sue Marmon-Herrington to get their money back for the 240 that were at least nominally serviceable after being pulled from the ship?
Wouldn't work, the Marmon-Herrington lawyers would just claim any faults were the result of damage caused when the ship was damaged.
There was water in the hold and any grounding causes damage and may cause the cargo to shift. There's plenty of room for a company lawyer to shift the blame for faulty goods.
The Idea is good for the court case but it might have to be taken to a Maritime court in the Dutch East Indies. The ship hadn't made port and docked so there are all kinds of strange maritime law there. The Dutch would be better off making an insurance claim with Lloyds of London, if they are carrying the paper on it, and getting money for the cargo.
The lack of power, terrible ergonomics, manufacturing faults (parts not lining up and the like) lack of ventilation, etc. can't be put down to water damage.
They'll find an excuse and with the Netherlands not really a going concern right then they probably don't have the resources for a long term legal fight (or at least that cannot be spared from the military fight).
That and the Dutch Government in Exile can't really afford to annoy Uncle Sam by pointing out to the world that they were sold a pile of useless junk. For one thing all those nifty Johnson Rifles and Light Machine Guns they have on order might get impounded.
True, although as Uncle Sam needs the Dutch to take some of the heat and keep the Japanese off their own backs they probably can't afford to not arm them.
True.
Well Marmon-Herrington was a private contractor, so it wouldn't reflect badly on the American government.