Netherlands Commemorative War Cross 1940-1945; Clasp ,East Asia South Pacific 1942-1945

The East Asia South Pacific 1942-1945 clasp (Oost Asië Zuid Pacific 1942-1945 gesp) was awarded for service up to 3 September 1945. When Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) on 10 January 1942, the Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger (Royal Dutch Indies Army or KNIL) numbered approximately 85,000 men. It was made up of numerous nationalities and only about 40% were Dutch. Faced with overwhelming odds and a population intent on independence, the force was soon defeated despite some stubborn resistance and many of its members imprisoned in horrific conditions until liberated in 1945.

Code: 60581