In an earlier blog post I showed a picture of Lieutenant Colonel Troels-Smith representing DIS in Yugoslavia. Let’s take a look at what actually happened and find out if DIS was successfully promoting their merchandise. Here follows the second part of the story.
While no weapons were sold in 1932, DIS initiated new negotiations a couple of years later. in 1934-1935 Yugoslavia negotiated with Hotchkiss (mg 12,7mm) and ZB but no deal was closed. At first DIS was not invited but due to high ranking “connections” a new trial was decided. Madsen, Solothurn and FN Herstal were demonstrated.
We are now back at the picture that I showed earlier.
Lieutenant Colonel Troels-Smith and C. C. Larsen led a delegation that demonstrated Madsen in Kragujevac. End May 1935 the commission was very happy with the demonstration, especially the precision shooting demonstrated.
Due to the economic situation the only solution was payment in Kind. Payment in kind refers to the use of a good or service as payment instead of cash. The DIS directors Bülow and Henckel established contact with Dreyfuss (Paris) and Bunge & Born (Amsterdam) to establish a conversion of grain equivalents to cash.
Again, nothing came of this deal. While in Berlin in 1936 director Henckel tried to influence the prince regent Paul through Lord Awaloff. As part of the promotion Lieutenant Colonel Troels-Smith, N. Nielsen and E. Larsen participated in an anti aircraft competition with Darne and FN Herstal.
In 1939 director Henckel was in Berlin again. This time he had talks with Military attaché colonel Vauhnik. He was very interested in the 20mm mg with mounting. Later in Beograd director Henckel met with General Lukić and other officers from army, navy and air force. In May mr. Westenholz* demonstrated Madsen – probably in Yugoslavia.
*Aage Westenholz was a danish engineer self made millionaire and familiar with Madsen. He was also related to Karen Blixen, the author of ‘Out of Africa’. Aage Westenholz died in 1935 so the Westenholz mentioned here must be a relative.
To be continued……