You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
alternatehistory.com
October 1923 Dutch pairlement aprove the Fleetlaw with 51votes in favour against 49. It wa defended by Mr Coleijn, Westerveld, De Graaff and Van Karnebeek. The fleet law was accepted after much and heavy debate both in pairlement and in the whole nation. Even a petitionement of more than 1 milion voters againts the plan . Within 6 years the following units needed to be build: For the colonies (Dutch East Indies) 16 large submarines 2 submarine mine layers 2 cruisers ( java and sumatra and later celebes) 12 destroyers 4 gunboats ( slow destroyers with a lerger caliber main armament) around 100 planes ( half of them will flying boats)
for the home waters 10 submarines 2 submarine mine layers 13 minelayers 60 planes
This is not a considerable fleet, taking in account the pre war battleship plan which was cancelled due to the outbrake of the Great war But the Dutch gouverment chose to maintain a fleet and the will to defend their colonial possesions and not leave this responsibility to the great powers. The cruisers Java launced as designed with 10 x15 cm guns behind shields, of 6 of them in broad side positions. The Sumatra and Celebes were finished with 8x15 in double towers and a extended AA armamend. The Java was in 1931 converted as her sisters, the guns behind shields were replaced by towers and their AA armament was improved too. She had also a major engine refit which caused problems since she enterd service.
1932 The State Comission van Beuningen present a report with recommendations of how to improve the economical situation and to support the industriy in the Neterlands. One of the recomendations is to invest in infrastructure and the navy and army. The navy to support the shipbuilders and the army to support and to encourrage textile,hardware and arms industry.
News papers in the Dutch East Indies start to publicate atricles that propagade the purchase of heavy naval units, as pocket battle ships or even battlecruisers, to protect the archipellago against the more and more aggressive stance of nations as Japan.
1934 Fleet law of under Prime minister Colijn. This fleet law is and adition on the excisting units Beside a reinforcement of the Navy it is as well an econimical support to the shipyards. 3 larger cruisers 2 large destroyers/cruisers 12 destroyers 26 submarines 10 gunboats 12 submarine hunters ( trawler size ships) 1 fleet tanker many airoplanes, prefered were bombers and heavy fighters.
Dutch gouverment take a majority share in the Fokker aircraft company. Fokker twin engined light bomber/aircruiser type T V is rejected.
construction started for a 40.000 ton floating dock for the naval base in Soerabaja.
side view of the Java class 15cm gun light cruisers