Robert A. Kingsley is a Dutch- Canadian author who currently works and lives in Europe. He works out of the magical city of Amsterdam as an independent ICT consultant. Robert has a son and a daughter, both talented professionals in their own right, and is grandfather to two wonderful grandchildren.
Robert started this blog as an outlet for the information his research yields on the Pacific War and especially on the seldom published and little known Netherlands East Indies Campaign of 1941 and 1942. In a continuing series of posts, he highlights those people who have made a significant contribution to the Allied war effort in those parts, often at the cost of their lives, and who are in his eyes the “Forgotten Heroes” of that period.
Robert has published a number of books.
In September 2014, after several years of intensive research, he has published “The Odyssey”, the first volume of “The Java Gold”. This multi-part historical fiction story will take the reader all over the world and through half a century of recent history.
In this series Robert has combined his life-long interest in aviation and military history (especially World War 2) with local, on-site knowledge he has gathered during his travels all over the world as an international ICT consultant.
The first two volumes of “The Java Gold” are largely set in the former Dutch East Indies. Not many books have been written about the turbulent post war years in that area and especially Indonesia. The Japanese invasion, the post-war struggle for independence and the general unrest in South East Asia serve as a fascinating background to the story.
The idea for the book was born during a “steak and beer” dinner in a California micro-brewery. Robert had just come across a number of highly intriguing facts and events that had happened in Indonesia during and after the 2nd world war.
“I could write a thriller around them”, he said and one of his closest friends dared him to do so.
And he did…. (see ” About The Books”)
In 2016, he joined a truly intercontinental team of authors cooperating in a project called “Pearl Harbor and more…” This anthology, published on November 1, 2016, offers a collection of eight different short stories to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor, then 75 years ago and the outbreak of the great Pacific war. (See “About The Books”)
When his time is not taken up by his consulting business, he travels and does research for future book projects. He publishes more “literary” oriented content on https://robertkingsleysblog.wordpress.com/
Read more about Robert Kingsley in this author interview https://mercedesfoxbooks.com/meet-author-robert-kingsley/
The Java Gold's Blog 
A sincere pleasure to find a person of like interests.
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Had a quick look at the Pacific Paratrooper blog and agree with you. The interests are identical; only I’ m too young to have actively participated in the Pacific war. But let’s try to hand the memories down to younger people. To make sure the knowledge won’t be lost.
I always repeat the words of a Spanish philosopher (Carlos Santayana) ” Those, who cannot remember the past are condemned to re-live it…”
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I just want to clarify here – how much of your posts are factual and how much is from the novel? As you say, our blogs are on a similar train of thought and I think your site deserves far more viewers.
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What I post in the blog is factual information I came across while doing my research.
I started this blog to support my novel and every now and then I insert a (small) fragment, hoping to attract readers. These fragments are clearly marked as “fiction”.
I am still trying to find a way to attract more readers, both of the blog as well as the novel. So far without much success.
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Thank you for such a swift reply. Spending time on the “Reader” by typing in the topics you’re interested in is a great way to find people of like-mind. And I’ll see what I can do, just be patient – it doesn’t magically happen, it’s a slow, steady process.
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Thanks for the pointers! And thanks for the offer. Yeah, I know things will move slowly. Fortunately I have time…
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Mr. Kingsley,
This blog about Java Gold caught my interest.
My grandfather “Marinus Veenendaal” was a KLM flight engineer who flew with KNILM DC-3’s during the war in NEI. On the night of 26-02-1942 and 27-02-1942 he (officially) flew a mission with PK-AFZ from Broome to Bandung. That night PK-AFZ got lost and made an emergency landing near Muara Kuang south of Palembang. A few day’s later the 4 man crew got robbed and murdered by natives near the village of Lubuk Keliat. The wireless operator P. Pronk managed to escape his attackers but was beheaded by the Japanese 3 days later.
No trace was ever found of both airplane and crew (except for Pronk), even though they managed to land the plane in one piece.
For some years I have been doing my own research on what happened to PK-AFZ and i got to the conclusion that the official story does not make any sense.
1st. The flight range for this pre-war civilian DC-3 was not sufficient for making the distance from Broome to Bandung so how did they manage to get almost all the way to Palembang.?
2nd. I recently discovered some letters from a Chinese Docter “Dr. Ghan Tjoe Ham”. He was treating the wounds of P. Pronk prior to his beheading. In his letters he states that Pronk told him they were robbed because they had a “large amount of gold pieces which belonged to the cargo of the airplane”. This raised the question to me why PK-AFZ was carrying gold from Australia into Java at a time where all gold was going the opposite way. It all just doesn’t make sense.
Since i just read, your novel is about a plane carrying pure Gold out of Java and was lost. I was wandering if this is also based on a fact ?
Regards,
Geert Veenendaal.
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Dear Geert,
thank you for your comments.
One possible explanation why gold coins were carried out to the NEI could have been to finance a ‘stay behind’ resistance organization. I recently have discovered that in February 1942 the leader of the pre-war PCI (Indonesian Communist Party) was paid the equivalent of 50.000 guilders in gold coins by Dutch authorities to set up and maintain an information gathering network. The reason for pieces of gold was because paper money – issued by the Dutch – would soon become useless as it would be replaced by Japanese controlled currency.
Of course, no network was set up and the PCI leader used the funds for his own political purposes.
The range of the pre-war DC3 – These planes were stripped bare and a minimal cargo was taken on really long distance flights. I would not be surprised if that has been the case with PK-AFZ. Moreover, by the time of its crash the Sumatra south – west coast was still in Dutch hands. Only Palembang had been taken by the Japanese. It would take another month before the Japanese had occupied all of Sumatra. That raises the question whether PK-AFV was heading for Padang (for instance) The crash location seems to be consistent with that.
Finally, the book is based on a number of random facts, knit into an adventure story. Long ago I found out about the ‘evacuation’ of gold, money and securities to Australia by Lockheed Lodestars. I also knew about an ex KNILM DC5 that had somehow ended up at Haifa and some other disconnected facts. So I decided to use those to construct a story. It is rather disturbing that I seem to have hit close to the mark in some cases.
Kind regards
Robert Kingsley
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I checked my information on PK-AFZ’s flight.
Three DC-3′ (PK-ALO, PK-ALZ and PK-AFZ) left Broome late in the afternoon of 26 February with destination Andir.
Interesting fact: PK-AFZ had flown up to Broome from Sidney. PK-ALO was the only plane to reach Andir in the morning of 27 February. PK-ALZ and PK-AFZ both missed their Tjilatjap landfall. PK-ALZ discovered in time they were over the extreme western tip of Java and turned back north-east. The crew reached Tjililitan near Batavia flying literally on the gasoline fumes in the DC-3’s tanks. PK-AFZ went completely missing. One reason for this mishap might be the fact that (unlike the military Lodestars) KNILM DC-3’s had no radio compasses. The approach to Andir had to be made through one of the passes in the mountains surrounding the Bandung plateau. Without visual orientation (it apparently was very bad weather that night) this approach might have been considered too dangerous.
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Dear Mr Veenendaal and Mr. Kingsley.,
I happen to be one of the 4 daughters of deceased Dr Ghan Tjoe Ham.
I am so moved to find and read your article where my father was mentioned.
He used to tell us about the tragedies of the war that he experienced in South Sumatra.
The only thing that puzzled him was, how and why the Dutch fell into the hands of the Jaoanese, then killed.
If you are interested in getting in touch with me, you could email me to soanlukman@hotmail.com
My birthname was Ghan Swan Hiang, married to Bob Lukman, both of Chinese Indonesian descent, living in Vancouver BC, Canada for more than 49 yrs now.
Regards,
Suandari Lukman
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Dear mrs. Lukman,
Thank you for your nice comment and please excuse me for this delayed reaction. The COVID pandemic has made life not really supportive of my writing, but I feel ashamed that I neglected things for so long.
I will write you.
Robert Kingsley
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Dear Mr Kingsley,
Thanks to your blog, I got in touch with Geert Veenendaal who wrote me a few days ago, just when I was going to give up on my quest! Actually I was mainly interested in my father’s letters which are in the possession of the Dutch authorities. Nevertheless we look forward to meeting with Geert someday in Amsterdam once covid is under control.
Thanking you again for your kindness,
Suandari
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Mr. Kingsley,
Regarding PK-AFZ final destination i got to the same conclusion.
I think PK-AFZ’s actual flight path took them from Broome to Malang and then headed for Padang. Mr. van Messel (head flight operations in those days) told my father many years later that PK-AFZ flight range was 1600KM but that he was not allowed to tell him any more details (he was very moved). This fact indicates to me that the most likely flight path of PK-AFZ was Broome – Malang, Malang – Padang. This flight path was well within their range (as stated by van Messel), and took them directly over the emergency landing area at Muara Kuang (as stated by Dr. Ghan Tjoe Ham). Your information on Dutch government payments to PCI makes sense in this case. It also answers the question why there has always been such a smokescreen around what happened and why Mr. van Messel was not allowed to give more detail.
Thank you very much for providing support to my own conclusions and adding another piece to my PK-AFZ puzzle.
Geert Veenendaal
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Dear Geert,
It alls sounds very plausible to me.
During my researches I discovered several things that seem to support this theory. First: the fact that the Dutch High Command had designated the Minangkabau area (Padang) as a secondary line of defense against a Japanese push up the Sumatra south coast. Second: there were contacts between the Dutch forces and the British SOE – in particular SOE Force 136 operating in Malaya. Finally, Padang and in particular Bukittingi were PCI centers and I noticed there was frequent contact between Dutch officials and the anti-Japanese PCI.
So it all adds up.
When you´re talking about mr van Messel – was he the guy also known as ´Fiets´ van Messel? One of those who flew under the Sidney harbor bridge?
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Dear Mr.Kingsley,
Indeed it all adds up and things finally start to make a little sense to me
Yes, i am talking about the guy known as ‘Fiets’ van Messel who amongst others flew under the Sidney harbor bridge.
Regards Geert Veenendaal
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Good afternoon,
I came across your blog on my reader. I’m the Digital Marketing Executive at Pen and Sword Books – the UK’s leading military history publishers and I wondered if you’d be interested in reading and reviewing our books for your blog? Please take a look at our website: http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk.
If you’d like to contact me to discuss further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at digitalmarketing@pen-and-sword.co.uk
All the best,
Milly Wonford
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Thank you for this invitation Milly
I’ll contact you by email
Robert
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Hello from Indonesia…..
I just saw your blog here….it’s fantastic ! Aviation history is always my interest….in fact i made up my personal blog about aviation history in Indonesia : aviahistoria.com.
Yes, it’s in Indonesia language but you can select language to English. Not very good in translation but well you’ll get the idea….
Is it possible we co-operate, share informations, etc to improve our each other blog ? My e-mail is : sudiro.licensingmedia@gmail.com.
Thank you very much for your attention, sir.
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Hello Sudiro
Thank you for your nice compliments, I will contact you.
Robert Kingsley
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You might like to know that LOCKHEED HUDSON MK.IIIA A16/199 which was used in east timor by the RAAF and operation sparrow force is at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London. Complete with punching Kangaroo.
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Thanks!
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I would like to meet you Rob.First of all have you ever heard of my publications on the Dornier Wal flying boat ? Please, visit my website http://www.dornier-wal.com and follow me on Fb Dornier Wal. My books are being read all over the world and I am a friend of Sudiro. As I am often visiting my brother in Amsterdam, we can easily meet in the Victoria Hotel. Looking forward to meeting you, Best regards from Florence and Kleve, M.Michiel van der Mey, l’Olandese dei idrovolanti.
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Hi Michiel
Sounds like a good idea and the Victoria Hotel is easy to find
When is the next time are you’re in Amsterdam?
Robert
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I have a meeting in Amsterdam, we can meet on 13 december at 11.00 at the Victoria hotel over a coffee and I will show you my book and I will have a surprise with me. Looking forward to meeting you, Michiel
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Right; see you there Michiel
Robert
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Regret that we did not meet, please contact me via MvdMey@T-online.com
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Hi Michiel
Sent you a reply yesterday but got my mail returned – address unknown
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Robert, I made a failure in my adress: the correct one is mvdmey@T-online.de
I live in Germany (most of the time)…
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Hi Mr Kingsley,
I am selling a Dutch silver spoon on ebay, which I think commemorates this exhibition. I wonder if it could be of any interest to you? Or if you could think of a reliant Museum that may be interested.
It has a Pelican on the top and a scene on the bowl, of a seaplane, and Palm trees on one side and Windmills on the other.
Great to read the story all about it!
Vicki
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Hi Vicky
Thanks for contacting me
It sounds like this spoon is something commemorative of the ‘Pelican’ flight, theX-Mas mail rush to the Dutch East Indies I wrote about.
I am not collecting memorabilia like that but maybe the Dutch aviation museum ((Aviodome) in Lelystad might be interested
Greetings
Robert
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I have been waiting for you in the bar of the Victoria hotel. I will leave now.I ‘lk return to Amsterdam. to Sterdam within a fortniight. I propose to make a connection via What’s app. B.R
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Robert,
Two of the subjects covered in your blog are of great interest to me, having lived in Indonesia for 10 years and, in retirement, being a frequent visitor there. The two subjects are: the battle fought by Blackforce at Leuwiliang, West Java, in March 1942, and the flights by foreign pilots in support of the Indonesian independence movement in the period 1945-1949. In particular I have investigated the crash of Dakota VT-CLA piloted by the Australian RAF air ace shot down near Jogjakarta by Dutch fighters on July 29, 1947. I have visited both sites on multiple occasions. Have had a plaque placed at the Leuwiliang site , and have had the Constantine grave at Jogjakarta rehabilitated. I can provide photos from both locations.
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Thanks Michiel
Let’s discuss all this when we meet
Robert
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Dear Mr. Kingsley, I have stumbled over your blog on a couple of occasions but, unfortunately, your books being fictional, I never stopped long enough to discover what it was really about – that you share my interest in what you call a forgotten war – the fighting in the Dutch East Indies. My interest on that same subject was awakened when I started to study the fighting in The Philippines in 1941/42, with an emphasis on General Douglas MacArthur and his role therein. With that I got to learn about the considerable Dutch defence capability in their colony and, particularly, their basing and naval communication system. Later, I used this in a book series I call “Saving MacArthur”, really a documentary-like work, depicting a war scenario in which an aggressive US leadership decided to support MacArthur fully, putting the US Navy in place, and making as much as possible use of the Dutch and Australian allies in the area. Till now there is a series of seven books on Kindle – the eight, and supposedly with the finishing touch, is also ready but I have not been able to let it go – it is as if letting go of a baby one loves. Unlike your books, there are not many reference persons, it is documentary, except for a young pilot with Dutch ancestry and his uncle flying the Do-24K in the Dutch Naval air force.
In the meantime I have tried out my theories in “practice” with the Pacific War simulator game WitP – War in the Pacific. Great fun!
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4489704&mpage=1&key=
I wish you good luck in your future quest and shall surely buy your Kindle edition. I look forward to see how you have integrated your fictional story into the historical background.
Best Regds
Fred Leander
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Hi Fred,
Please excuse me for responding so late – I must have missed your comment and then I went a broad fro while. My apologies!
Thanks for your positive comments. It is always a pleasure to meet someone who shares the fascination with that bloody but forgotten campaign.
And it is also great to meet a fellow author. I will have a look at your books, they sound interesting.
I can imagine you taking MacArthur as a subject – although I am not impressed with his performance and especially of his autocratic second in command, Major General Richard K. Sutherland. But that is my personal opinion.
I have been interested in the Philippines and Java campaign since my high-school days and never completely stopped collecting information. Then I decided to write an adventure novel situated in that area and period and my research really took off.
I dug up so much detailed information that I am now preparing a non-fiction account of the US presence in Java in 1942., as well as another fiction novel about the fall of Singapore. Im am looking for a publisher for the non-fiction title right now.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Robert
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We should not lose contact….The concept of the operations of the Dutch flying boats (based on the experience with the old Dornier Wal) was very relevant for the defence of Malay Barrier. Please visit us on http://www.dornier-wal.com and follow us on FB Dornier Wal. M.Michiel van der Mey, author
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We still have a meeting scheduled in Amsterdam
Let me know when you are around again
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Love your blog! I have long been interested in the NEIAF (decades!) and you provide wonderful new information I’ve never seen before, plus some outstanding pictures. Thanks!
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Hi Robert, I am very glad I have found your page !
As a Dutchman living very close to Amsterdam (Zaandam), I will reply in English onbehalf of the other readers. But I hope we can arrange some contact in the future, because we have a common interest and I have also many years of research behind me.
I fully can agree onyour conclusion that todays there is a complete Dutch denial of information regarding the East Indies.
I also started to research ‘the gold’ and I must say ‘to my surprise’ I came quite far in doing so. It gives me a very uncomfortable feeling afterwards, because of what I have found out.
I have also tried (for 6 or 7 years) to publish and share my informtion, but no one seems to be interested and sources seem to have been ‘washed’ from the internet !
My conclusion is that it is not only the few boxes of gold aboard those plains, but that there is a much larger scal operation behind it. Including the Dutch government! What explains why there is hardly any inforation available. But the Dutch National Bank in 1942 (and before) has shipped several Tonnes (my estimation is at least 200 up to at the most, about 400 Tonnes) of gold from the Java Bank abroad. Mainly by merchant ships (of which I have all details) to New York, but also large ammounts of gold to Australia. (See the Bourke gold evacuations !) And even to Durban and/or Pretoria in South-Africa !
The whole NEI government in exile and funding of war materials was funded by the Australian-Dutch gold deposits.
Currently I am researching the NEI ot better the “Netherlands East Indies Commission for Australia and New Zealand” as it is officially mentioned. But also here there is not a single piece of file available anymore (or has been removed).
I’m looking for Australian suppot on this matter….
I think this will do for the moment and await what reactions will follow.
Please note my email address, …. since I have braindamage I’m afraid to loose this page and miss your replies !
f.vandenkommer@telfort.nl
Greatings,
Frank
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