At arrival in Soerabaja rapidly volunteers were already asked pioneer become and because Wim did not have it this way on many running as a infantryman he these pioneers up has given himself had from its own battalion come. The training to pioneer lasted two weeks and the activities existed mainly from building bridges and harmless making to boom and mines.
Wim went along regularly as a pioneer on patrols and to two of these patrols he has bad memories, as it happens, 15 august 1947 in a ambush the first comrade died and only three days later on 18 august 1947 three comrades who in their carrier on a mine reason. Four died comrades in three days for outsider incomprehensible what an impact has this on the remaining comrades who simply by had go.
Itself Wim on 1 April 1949 have touched wounded (unconsciously) then the driver of 3 ¼ tonner on a mine drove.
Wim have also beautiful memories to this time this way have he in Indië to learn swim he by a comrade bump in the water was thrown and this comrade has him swims learned and beautiful nature is something what made large impression on him just like the patrol (excursion) to the volcano Bromo.
Foreword
During my work I Mr. (Wim) Hilhorst has and our conversation ended up perhaps accidentally
on Nederlands-Indië and have him in demand or he was prepared me here more to tell.
A couple meetings has been with Wim Hilhorst and it becomes always more clearly why it
this way deeply does not sit at him among other things by the loss of comrades, getting recognition for
three years Nederlands-Indië and the unforgettable and indelible impressions and events from that time.