"If wars were won by feasting,

Or victory by song,

Or safety found in sleeping sound,

How England would be strong!

But honour and dominion,

Are not maintained so.

They're only got by sword and shot,

And this the Dutchmen know!"

-Rudyard Kipling, "The Dutch in the Medway"

The Dutch held their colonies in the East Indies for over three centuries, almost all spent in constant low level warfare against the various rebellious tribes. Their empire was expanded steadily, as island tribes were subdued one by one. After WW2, the Dutch were the first to face an insurgency as they sought to re-establish colonial rule in the East Indies. It was a scene which would be repeated from Indochina to Kenya, as nationalism swept over the Third World. The Dutch fought in the East Indies all the way to 1962, when they finally relinquished Western New Guinea to Indonesia. Dutch KNIL troopers fighting in the East Indies wore the classic Dutch OD HBT shirt, modeled after similar US Army designs. This Dutch 1960s KNIL EAST INDIES OD HBT COMBAT FATIGUE SHIRT is in good condition, with some loose seam sewing along the left cuff, some light greenish soiling to the left of the second from bottom front button, some light bluish soiling at the lower inner corner of the left chest pocket, a few pinholes and some light greenish spot soiling at the shoulder straps, moderate fraying to the left edge of the Dutch military label at the inside neck, an even overall fade, and with some scattered age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the shirt is in fine shape, with no other damage to the tough OD HBT 100% cotton construction. Most interestingly, it measures to about a Size 34 chest, boasts the classic single exposed button flap closure boxed chest pockets, and is dated "1961" on the original "K.L." Dutch military label at the inside neck. It features button shoulder straps, sports all of the original flat rimmed brown plastic buttons throughout, and is a fine example of a rare, original Dutch 1960s KNIL EAST INDIES OD HBT COMBAT FATIGUE SHIRT. Now celebrating a quarter century on eBay. Buy with confidence and please view our other great military, aviation, and Old West classics, including a pair of very rare, original Antique 1920s OLD WEST COWBOY BRASS STUDDED LEATHER WRIST CUFFS in good condition, boasting an incredible diamond like design of large and small silvered brass studs at front, and sporting the original brown leather lacing along the upper backs.