Knil Orbat
Knil Orbat
Knil Orbat
KNIL
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-11
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-01 Timor & Dependencies Territorial Command
Java Command
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-12
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-02
Celebes & Manado Territorial Command
I. Division
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-13
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-03
Moluccas Territorial Command
II. Division
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-14
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-04
Balikpapan Local Command
III. Division
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-15
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-05
Tarakan Local Command
North Sumatra Territorial Command
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-06 BATTLEGROUP KNIL-16
West Sumatra & Tapanoeli Samarinda Local Command
Territorial Command
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-17
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-07
Samarinda II Local Command
South Sumatra Territorial Command
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-08
Riouw & Dependencies KNIL Army Aviation
Territorial Command
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-09
West Borneo Territorial Command
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-10
South & East Borneo Territorial Command
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-02
I. Division (ab)
(a) I. Division formed was one of three divisions forming the core
Command of the KNIL Java Command. Based in western Java, I. Division
HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15 was the strongest of the three, having the KNIL’s only tank
Transport battalion and armoured cavalry regiment, as well as the strongest
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09 infantry and artillery elements.
x3 Infanterie KNIL-14 (b) Approximately seven coastal defence artillery batteries (mainly
75mm, with some 50mm and 120mm calibre) also came under
Transport the command of I. Division, as well as approximately six fixed
x2 Chevy 1.5 ton Truck KNIL-P12 anti-aircraft batteries assigned to the defence of the coastal
artillery (mainly 12.7mm & 40mm, with some 80mm & 20mm).
x1 Chevy Luchtdociafweergeschut KNIL-08 However, these fall outside the scope of these TO&Es, so are not
listed here.
BATTLEGROUPS
(c) I. Division contained the 1st & 2nd Infantry Regiments. The
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-18 1st Regiment was unusual in that it had four Infantry Battalions.
x2 Infantry Regiment (c)
(d) The Mobile Battalion was the KNIL’s only major armoured unit.
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-19 (e) The 1st Cavalry Regiment had detached several squadrons to
x1 Mobile Battalion (d) other commands: Division. The 4th and Life Guards Squadrons
were placed under the command of ‘Group South’ in II. Division,
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-20 while the 3rd and 6th Squadrons were placed under the
x1 Cavalry Regiment (-) (e) command of III. Division.
ATTACHMENTS
x4 Chevy 12.7mm SP AAMG KNIL-P10
Transport
x1 Chevy 1.5 ton Truck KNIL-P12
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-03
II. Division (ab)
Command (a) II. Division formed was one of three divisions forming the core
HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15 of the KNIL Java Command. II. Division was considerably weaker
Transport than the other two divisions and was sorely lacking in all combat
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09 support arms – artillery, AA, engineers, etc.
x1 Chevy Luchtdociafweergeschut KNIL-08 (c) II. Division contained the 4th Infantry Regiment. Note that the
regimental AA/AT Company only had x2 47mm Anti-Tank Guns.
BATTLEGROUPS (d) The Mountain Artillery Battalion was missing one battery,
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-18 which had been detached to Group South (see below).
x1 Infantry Regiment (c) (e) The III, V & VI Landstorm Battalions (also known as ‘Militie’)
were placed under the command of II. Division. These were
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-22 militia battalions with minimal heavy weapons and transport.
x3 Landstorm Battalion (e) Some Landstorm battalions even contained companies of retired
soldiers (average age 50), who in some battles were noted by the
Japanese for their remarkable fighting spirit!
BATTLEGROUP
Tjilatjap Brigade (f) (f) The Tjilatjap Brigade was assigned to defend the vital port of
Tjilatjap, on the central southern coast of Java. It also contained
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21 four coastal defence artillery batteries (three with 75mm and one
x1 Infantry Battalion (g) with 150mm guns). However, these fall outside the sope of these
TO&Es.
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19
(g) The Tjilatjap Brigade had a composite infantry battalion,
Stadswacht Company (h) formed from various units. However, the Infantry Companies
lacked their 20mm anti-tank rifle sections – there was only x1
ATTACHMENTS 20mm ATR section attached to the MG Company. The battalion
MG Company also had only x1 81mm Mortar.
x1 Chevy 12.7mm SP AAMG KNIL-P10
(h) The Tjilitjap Stadswacht Company had only x6 Infantry and
lacked Overvalwagens.
BATTLEGROUP
(i) Group South was assigned to defend the towns of Soerkarta
Group South (i) and Jogjakarta. It comprised an infantry battalion, the 4th & Life
Guards Squadrons of the 1st Cavalry Regiment and one battery
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21 from the divisional mountain artillery battalion.
x1 Infantry Battalion
MANOEUVRE ELEMENTS
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-08
x1 Independent Armoured Car Platoon
x3 Infanterie KNIL-14
Transport
x2 Chevy 1.5 ton Truck KNIL-P12
FIRE SUPPORT ELEMENTS (j) The Bali Detachment infantry battalion (titled ‘Korps Prajoeda’)
had x4 Infantry Companies and no heavy weapons.
FIRE SUPPORT ELEMENT KNIL-03
x1 Light Artillery Battalion
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-05 BATTLEGROUP KNIL-07
North Sumatra Territorial Command (a) South Sumatra Territorial Command (a)
BATTLEGROUP BATTLEGROUP
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21 BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21
x3 Infantry Battalion (b) x1 Infantry Battalion (b)
(a) These battalions were designated as the 1st & 2nd West
Sumatra & Tapanoeli Garrison Infantry Battalions. I don’t know
how well-served with heavy weapons these battalions were, or
even if they had MG Companies.
BATTLEGROUP BATTLEGROUP
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21 BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21
x1 Infantry Battalion (a) x1 Infantry Battalion (a)
(a) This battalion was designated as the Riouw & Dependencies MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19
Garrison Infantry Battalion. I don’t know how well-served with x3 Independent Stadswacht Platoons
heavy weapons this battalion was, or even if they had an MG
Company.
ATTACHMENTS
(b) These two companies are both Landstorm Companies. x1 Chevy Luchtdociafweergeschut KNIL-08
(a) This battalion was designated as the South & East Borneo
Garrison Infantry Battalion. The only heavy weapons section
recorded for this unit is x1 HMG. The battalion probably therefore
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-09 had a fourth Infantry Company in lieu of an MG Company.
West Borneo Territorial Command
(b) One of the two Stadswacht Companies is recorded as having
x1 Overvalwagen.
BATTLEGROUP
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21
x1 Infantry Battalion (a)
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-11
MANOEUVRE ELEMENTS
Timor & Dependencies Territorial Command
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19
x1 Stadswacht Company (b)
BATTLEGROUP
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19 BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21
x2 Independent Stadswacht Platoons x1 Infantry Battalion (a)
BATTLEGROUPS
BATTLEGROUP BATTLEGROUP
Manado Local Command Kendari II Airbase Garrison
Command
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21 HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
x1 Infantry Battalion (a) Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-11
x4 Infantry Company (b) MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19
x2 Stadswacht Company (j)
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19
x1 Stadswacht Company (c) MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-12
x1 Machine Gun Company (k)
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19
x1 Independent Stadswacht Platoon (d) ATTACHMENTS
x1 Chevy 12.7mm SP AAMG KNIL-P10
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-12
x1 Machine Gun Company (+) (e)
x1 Bofors 40mm AA Gun KNIL-P03
ATTACHMENTS (a) The Manado Infantry Battalion was a Reserve Korps battalion,
x1 Chevy 12.7mm SP AAMG KNIL-P10 made up of time-served reservists. It appears to have been
organised with x4 Infantry Companies and no heavy weapons.
x1 Naval 37mm Overvalwagen KNIL-P13
(b) The four independent infantry companies of the Manado
Command comprised a regular Army garrison company, a
company of army pensioners (average age 50), a European
Militie/Landstorm company and a native Militie company.
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19 (g) The four independent infantry companies of the Makassar
x3 Stadswacht Company (hi) Command comprised a regular Army garrison company, a
Reserve Korps company, a company of army pensioners, and a
FIRE SUPPORT ELEMENT KNIL-04 Militie/Landstorm company.
x1 Light Artillery Battery (-) (f)
(h) One of the three Makassar Stadswacht Companies was
organised as a Mobile Column, equipped with motor transport.
ATTACHMENTS There might have been some Overvalwagens present, but none
are listed.
x3 M08/15 Schwarzlose Mitrailleur (f) KNIL-18
Transport (i) One of the two ‘leg’ Makassar Stadswacht Companies had x18
x3 Pack Mules Infantry, but these were organised as independent ‘guerrilla’
squads, scattered over a wide geographical area.
BATTLEGROUPS BATTLEGROUPS
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21 BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21
x1 Infantry Battalion (b) x1 Infantry Battalion (b)
x3 Genie (1 flame) KNIL-P04 (a) The Balikpapan Local Command also had approximately three
coastal defence artillery batteries under command (with 75mm &
(a) The Moluccas Territorial Command also had approximately 120mm guns). However, these are outside the scope of these
four coastal defence artillery batteries under command (with TO&Es.
37mm, 70mm, 75mm & 150mm guns). However, these are
outside the scope of these TO&Es. (b) The regular VI Infantry Battalion was assigned to the
Balikpapan Local Command. Its MG Company was boosted to
(b) The Moluccan Garrison Infantry Battalion had an MG an impressive x12 HMG and x4 81mm Mortar. The battalion also
Company with x5 HMG and x3 81mm Mortar. The battalion also had x1 Overvalwagen.
had x2 Overvalwagens.
(c) The two Light Artillery Batteries each have only x1 75mm gun.
(c) The two independent infantry companies were formed from
Reserve Korps men.
Transport
(e) The two Artillery Batteries each have only x1 gun.
x1 GMC 2.5 ton Truck KNIL-P11
Transport
x1 Chevy 1.5 ton Truck KNIL-P12
(a) The KNIL 1st Cavalry Regiment was based on Java. However,
it was split up in order to provide each of the three Java-based
divisions with cavalry support. The main part of the regiment,
comprising the Regimental Headquarters, 1st (Mech), 2nd (Mech)
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-23
and 5th (Horsed) Squadrons were placed under the command of I. x1 Marine Infantry Battalion (a)
Division. The 4th (Mech) and Life Guards (Mech) Squadrons were Command
placed under the command of ‘Group South’ in II. Division. The 3rd HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
(Mech) and 6th (Overvalwagen) Squadrons were placed under the
command of III. Division. Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09
(b) The 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Squadrons were organised identically;
each with a troop of Alvis-Straussler AC3D Armoured Cars, Recce MANOEUVRE ELEMENTS
Troops in Jeeps and a Machine Gun Troop in White Scout cars. MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-11
However, there weren’t enough Alvis-Strausslers to go around, so
the Life Guards Squadron instead had additional White Scout Cars. x2 Infantry Company
(c) The 6th Squadron was a late addition, being equipped with MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-20
locally-manufactured Braat Overvalwagens. x2 Marine Mobile Company
ATTACHMENTS
BATTLEGROUP KNIL-21
Infantry Battalion (ac) x1 Naval 37mm Overvalwagen KNIL-P13
Command
HQ x1 Commandant (b) KNIL-15
MANOEUVRE ELEMENTS
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-11
x3 Infantry Company
(a) Given the rapid nature of the KNIL’s mobilisation prior to war, it
is entirely possible that many units did not reach their full strength.
It is also possible that many did not receive their full allocation of
heavy weapons. Some units – particularly Garrison Infantry
Battalions – did not have an MG Company and instead had a
fourth Infantry Company.
Transport/Recce Transport
x2 M3A1 White Scout Car KNIL-05 x7 Braat Overvalwagen APC KNIL-06
Recce
x1 Marmon-Herrington III Armoured Car KNIL-03
Recce
x2 Madsen M20 Lichte Mitrailleur KNIL-17 MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-11
Infantry Company (abc)
Transport/Recce
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (with MG) KNIL-09 Command
Transport/Recce HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
x1 Harley-Davidson M/C Combination KNIL-10
x9 Infanterie KNIL-14
(c) The VI. Battalion (at Tarakan, Borneo) and the VII. Battalion
(at Balikpapan, Borneo) received a double-helping of Madsen
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-09 LMGs. May therefore add:
Motorised Infantry Company (abc) x1 Madsen M20 Lichte Mitrailleur KNIL-17
Command
HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-12
Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (with MG) KNIL-09 Machine Gun Company (a)
Command
x9 Infanterie KNIL-14 HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
x1 Solothurn 20mm Anti-Tank Rifle (a) KNIL-19 x6 M08/15 Schwarzlose Mitrailleur (b) KNIL-18
(a) Given the rapid nature of the KNIL’s mobilisation prior to war, (a) Elements (or all) of the MG Company may be broken up as
it is entirely possible that many units did not reach their full individual unit attachments to other MEs in the battalion.
strength. It is also possible that many did not receive their full However, note that given the rapid nature of the KNIL’s
allocation of heavy weapons. mobilisation prior to war, it is entirely possible that many units did
not receive their full allocation of heavy weapons.
(b) The ‘paper’ organisation for KNIL infantry companies also lists
a Brandt-Stokes 47mm light mortar section in each platoon. (b) The VI. Battalion (at Tarakan, Borneo) and the VII. Battalion
However, as the Japanese only captured five pre-production (at Balikpapan, Borneo) received a double-helping of HMGs. May
models of this weapon, it’s reasonably safe to assume that this therefore add:
weapon was never issued. x6 M08/15 Schwarzlose Mitrailleur KNIL-18
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-13 MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-16
Anti-Tank/Anti-Aircraft Company (a) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
Command Command
HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15 HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
Transport Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09 x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09
x3 Böhler 47mm Anti-tank Gun (d) KNIL-13 x1 or x2 Bofors 80mm AA Gun KNIL-P09
Transport Transport
x3 Vickers Utility Tractor KNIL-07 x1 or x2 GMC 2.5 ton Truck KNIL-P11
Transport
x2 GMC 2.5 ton Truck KNIL-P11
MANOEUVRE ELEMENT KNIL-19
Stadswacht Company (a)
Command
HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
x9 Infanterie KNIL-14
x9 Infanterie KNIL-14
Transport/Recce
x2 Braat Overvalwagen APC KNIL-06
Transport
x2 Chevy 1.5 ton Truck KNIL-P12
Transport
x3 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (with MG) KNIL-09
Command Command
HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15 HQ x1 Commandant (a) KNIL-15
Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09 FIRE SUPPORT ELEMENT KNIL-06
Mountain Artillery Battery
FIRE SUPPORT ELEMENT KNIL-02 Command
x3 Field Artillery Battery HQ x1 Commandant (a) KNIL-15
On-Table Attachment
Command x1 Artilleriewachttroeppen (a) KNIL-16
HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
Fire Support
Transport x2 Bofors M22 75mm Bergartillerie KNIL-11
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09
Transport
On-Table Attachment x2 Pack Mules
x1 Artilleriewachttroeppen KNIL-16
Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09 (a) May exchange Commander and/or FO for:
Cavalerie KNIL-P08
Fire Support However, note that FO may not call for fire while mounted
x2 Bofors M24 105mm Howitzer no card on horseback.
Transport
x2 GMC 2.5 ton Truck KNIL-P11
FIRE SUPPORT ELEMENT KNIL-07
Motorised Mountain Battery
Command
FIRE SUPPORT ELEMENT KNIL-03 HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
Light Artillery Battalion Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09
Command
HQ On-Table Attachment
x1 Commandant KNIL-15
x1 Artilleriewachttroeppen KNIL-16
Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09 Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09
Fire Support
FIRE SUPPORT ELEMENT KNIL-04
x2 Bofors M22 75mm Bergartillerie KNIL-11
x3 Field Artillery Battery
Transport
Command x2 Chevy 1.5 ton Truck KNIL-P11
HQ x1 Commandant KNIL-15
Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09 General Note on KNIL Artillery
On-Table Attachment
KNIL artillery methods were modelled on the German system, so
x1 Artilleriewachttroeppen KNIL-16
use the German Call For Fire Table.
Transport
x1 Bantam GP Blitzbuggy (no MG) KNIL-09 However, note that radios were in incredibly short supply, so it
Fire Support might be a good idea to restrict calling for fire to Battalion
x2 Krupp M11 75mm Veldartillerie KNIL-11 Commanders, motorised Company Commanders and those who
start a game dug in and can therefore be presumed to have laid
Transport telephone cables.
x2 GMC 2.5 ton Truck KNIL-P11
KNIL Air Support
As in the Japanese Army of the period, tactical close air support
was a brand-new concept and rarely attempted or co-ordinated
with any great success. However, the following aircraft types did
occasionally attempt close air support of KNIL ground forces: