After what feels like an eternity of radio silence (possibly due to bicycle jams in Rotterdam or tropical rain delays in Batavia), the Dutch are finally back—with a rumbling, smoking, shell-flinging vengeance! This long-overdue release brings a number of beautifully detailed vehicles and artillery pieces to the Dutch Metropolitan Army of 1940 and the Dutch East Indies forces, giving your tabletop something louder than infantry boots to make noise with. Gone are the days when your Dutch army had to face panzers with just pointed fingers and brave intentions—now they can retaliate with the roar of the Vickers 75mm TL.1 anti-aircraft gun or the dependable rattling of the .30 cals carried by the Scout Cars.
The real showstoppers are the vehicles to be sure. From the quirky but charismatic Bantam Blitzbuggy staff car to the ever-determined Landsverk M38, these machines are lovingly recreated with all the rivets, bolts, and “please don’t break down” energy of the originals. The Dutch East Indies lineup doesn’t disappoint: you’ll find the M3A3 White Scout Car rolling into action, that somehow looks both outgunned and unreasonably optimistic—just like the real thing. These are not your standard mass-produced behemoths; they're plucky underdogs, perfect for those who like their armor with a touch of personality and historical obscurity.
Whether you’re planning a desperate stand in Holland’s flat fields or a last-ditch defense in Java’s steamy jungles, these new releases inject some long-missing firepower (and charm) into your Dutch forces. It’s time to roll out the guns, fire up the engines, and finally let the Netherlands make some noise—mechanical, smoky, gloriously underdog noise—on the tabletop.
OK, so lets take a look at the offerings this time around:
The Vickers 75mm TL.1 Anti-Aircraft Gun
In Dutch Metropolitan service, the TL.1 found itself deployed in key defensive positions, particularly around airfields and critical infrastructure such as bridges and government centers. With a maximum vertical reach of around 8,000 meters and a fairly rapid rate of fire for its size, it offered a credible deterrent against low- to mid-altitude bombing raids. However, by 1940, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the TL.1 was struggling to keep pace with the speed and altitude of more modern German aircraft. During the May 1940 invasion, these guns were brought into action in defense of targets in The Hague and Rotterdam. Though they had limited success in shooting down aircraft, they nonetheless played an important psychological and tactical role in stiffening local resistance during the fast-moving campaign.
In the Dutch East Indies, the TL.1 found a second life—albeit under even more trying conditions. Stationed around key cities like Batavia (Jakarta) and Surabaya, the guns formed part of the archipelago’s patchwork air defense network against Japanese air power. Here, they faced an even more daunting task, as the Japanese air assaults were swift and overwhelming. The TL.1s were often handicapped by limited ammunition stocks, poor radar support (or none at all), and the sheer logistical challenge of maintaining sophisticated weapons in tropical conditions. Despite this, their crews gamely fired back, earning a reputation for tenacity even as the situation deteriorated.
Though never a headline-grabber, the Vickers 75mm TL.1 represents the often-overlooked reality of smaller nations preparing for war with whatever tools they could acquire. In Dutch service, it became more than just a gun—it was a symbol of resourceful adaptation and determined resistance. While the TL.1 would eventually be overshadowed by more modern and mobile anti-aircraft systems, its presence in both the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies offers a fascinating glimpse into the tactical choices and constraints of a nation fighting a war it never sought, with weapons it had to make work.
The Landsverk L180, designated in Dutch service as the Pantserwagen M38, was a Swedish-designed armoured car that represented a significant step forward in mechanisation for the Netherlands in the late 1930s. Built by AB Landsverk, the vehicle combined modern features such as all-wheel drive, dual driving positions (enabling rapid withdrawal when necessary), and a fully rotating turret armed with a 37mm Bofors cannon. It was fast, well-armed for its class, and mechanically reliable—qualities that made it an attractive choice for the Dutch, who sought to modernise their limited armoured forces in the face of a rapidly deteriorating European security situation.
In the Dutch armed forces, the Pantserwagen M38 was issued to the Korps Rijdende Artillerie, a mechanised formation tasked with reconnaissance, rapid response, and internal security duties. By 1940, only twelve examples had been delivered, making them a rare and precious asset within an army otherwise short on modern vehicles. As tensions with Germany reached breaking point, these armoured cars were stationed in the western Netherlands, particularly around strategic areas such as The Hague and Rotterdam. During the German invasion in May 1940, they were thrown into action against airborne and motorised units in a desperate effort to repel the assault. In battles at Ypenburg, Ockenburgh, and Delft, the M38s provided vital support—disrupting enemy landings, escorting counterattacks, and engaging German troops with their powerful 37mm guns.
Although too few in number to alter the course of the campaign, the M38s proved themselves effective in combat. Their mobility allowed them to move quickly across urban and semi-urban terrain, and their armament was more than sufficient against lightly equipped paratroopers and soft-skinned vehicles. Several vehicles were knocked out or abandoned during the fighting, but they inflicted notable damage in return. The mere presence of such armoured firepower served to bolster Dutch morale at a time when the situation was rapidly collapsing. German forces captured a handful of M38s following the Dutch surrender, and subsequently pressed them into secondary service, often in airfield security or policing roles in occupied Europe.
It is important to note that the Pantserwagen M38 was not deployed in the Dutch East Indies, being retained entirely for defence of the homeland. Its operational history is thus tied closely to the brief but intense German invasion of the Netherlands in 1940. Though their time in action was short-lived, the M38s left a lasting impression, standing as rare examples of modern armoured capability in a force otherwise constrained by limited resources and political hesitation. Today, the Pantserwagen M38 is remembered as a symbol of Dutch preparedness against overwhelming odds—a machine that fought bravely in a losing battle, and a reminder that quality, even in small numbers, can still make its mark.
The Bantam BRC-40 'Blitzbuggy'
The Bantam Blitzbuggy, officially known as the Bantam BRC-40, was one of the earliest precursors to the American Jeep and a pioneer in the development of lightweight, all-terrain military vehicles. Produced in limited numbers by the American Bantam Car Company in the early 1940s, it was the result of a rapid design challenge issued by the United States Army for a nimble reconnaissance vehicle. The BRC-40 featured a 1,800cc four-cylinder engine, delivering approximately 40 horsepower, and weighed just under 1,300 kilograms. With a four-wheel drive system, a three-speed gearbox, and a tight turning radius, the Blitzbuggy was ideally suited for reconnaissance, liaison, and light transport duties across rough terrain. Though ultimately overshadowed by the Willys MB and Ford GPW in American service, the Bantam design found renewed purpose abroad—particularly in Dutch colonial forces.
The Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) acquired a number of Bantam BRC-40s in the early 1940s, as part of a broader effort to modernise its forces in the face of growing Japanese aggression. The Blitzbuggies were delivered to the Dutch East Indies through Lend-Lease arrangements or direct purchase, arriving in time to be integrated into mobile reconnaissance and command units. In the humid, rugged terrain of Java, Sumatra, and other islands, the vehicle’s compact size and all-wheel drive proved invaluable. It could navigate narrow plantation roads, muddy trails, and jungle paths far more effectively than standard lorries or civilian cars. The KNIL often removed the vehicle’s canvas top for improved visibility and sometimes mounted light machine guns on swivel mounts for added firepower in convoy protection or scouting missions.
In KNIL service, the Bantam Blitzbuggy was typically assigned to motorised infantry detachments, field engineers, and mobile headquarters elements. The vehicle's reliability and ease of maintenance—critical factors given the logistical challenges of the archipelago—made it well-liked by its crews. Mechanics could readily source or adapt spare parts, and the Bantam's relatively simple mechanical layout allowed for field repairs under combat conditions. It was not uncommon to see Blitzbuggies pressed into improvised roles, such as ambulance duty, radio transport, or even towing light artillery pieces across short distances. While clearly not an armoured vehicle, the Blitzbuggy’s speed and off-road capability allowed KNIL units to conduct rapid reconnaissance and evade superior Japanese forces when necessary. Its utility was often compared favourably to the few ageing armoured cars still in use by the KNIL at the time.
However, despite the Blitzbuggy’s usefulness, the Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies in early 1942 was simply too overwhelming for even the most mobile and resourceful units to resist for long. Many Bantam vehicles were lost during the retreat, destroyed to prevent capture, or commandeered by the Japanese, who reportedly re-used several captured units. Nevertheless, during its brief but intense period of service, the Bantam Blitzbuggy proved its worth many times over. It served as a force multiplier for a colonial army spread thin over vast and difficult terrain, and in doing so, it carved out a small but distinct legacy in the history of early mechanised warfare in Southeast Asia.
The Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) ordered 400 of these vehicles in early 1941 as part of its mechanisation programme, aiming to replace the delayed Marmon‑Herrington armoured cars and motorise its cavalry reconnaissance units. Of these, only 40 vehicles arrived in Java before January 1942, the remainder being diverted—most likely to the United States Army—after the fall of the archipelago. Each M3A1 came fully equipped with four‑wheel drive, radio sets, and the full complement of machine guns, marking a significant enhancement in KNIL’s mobility and firepower.
These 40 M3A1s were distributed among the KNIL’s cavalry reconnaissance squadrons—each squadron ideally composed of 6 scout cars and 12 jeeps—allowing them to play active roles during the Japanese invasion in early 1942. They were pressed into service in holding actions, convoy escort, and patrols. Despite challenging terrain and limited numbers, the M3A1s offered crucial rapid‑reaction capabilities. In the skirmishes that followed, some were lost in action, and others were deliberately disabled to prevent enemy use.
Technically, the Scout Car proved reliable and rugged even in the tropical conditions of Java. Its power‑to‑weight ratio of roughly 15 hp/tonne and leaf‑spring suspension handled rough tracks and muddy roads well, though its lack of overhead armour left crew exposed to ambush and airburst threats . After the capitulation, surviving vehicles were either wrecked by retreating Dutch units or captured by the Japanese—some pressed into service for local patrol duties. Though their time in KNIL service was brief, the M3A1 Scout Cars represented the most modern armoured utility the Dutch colonial forces possessed in 1942, showcasing their final, under‑resourced attempts at mechanised defence.
