Skipper,

I don't recall Dutch civilians where we were operating, to answer your question of what became of them, I would presume the japs executed them, that was quite common and remains one of the unvarnished truths. The natives were the only others that come to mind when I think of who else was ashore at Hollandia.

I remember the New Guinea natives to be quite tough and friendly, they showed the greatest compassion when caring for our wounded, they could carry litters up and down muddy mountain jungle trails, or cross monsoon streams that would make a pack mule think twice about. The japs feared them and they hated the japs, and they were quite good at tracking them. The Aussie bounty I had heard was 10 or so shillings a head, that could be traded for supplies, and that's what I remember them collecting (heads), carried in a bag next to that big curved knife they all wore. Some would carry jap rifles or pistols.

Take care

__________________
All the Best
Jack