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Originally Posted by trenchwarfare
Bill. The modified sword was captured in the Dutch East Indies, by the Japanese during WWII. They shortened the blade, and put a more Japanese style point. They also removed the major portion of the guard. These were used as machetes, and issued to local paramilitary, and police units. M.P.
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As far as I am concerned, this is another popular myth that has passed into folklore.
It was quite common for local recruits/mercenaries fighting for the colonial Dutch military to modify their cutlasses to suit their personal taste for more efficient use with their 'brand' of martial arts. This went on long before the outbreak of hostilities known as WWII. Among the Soenda, for instance, the length and weight would be adjusted for use in Ibing Toelak Bala as a golok or golok pandjang. The closed guard would also have been more of a hindrance.
Best,