Wokas was the one genuine tracker in W. J. Mosselman’s brigade during the pursuit of October 1910, whose enforced detachment nearly cost Mosselman his success.
Mosselman had largely young soldiers and only one real spoorzoeker, Wokas; thanks to him the true trail of the fanned-out band was found. When a young marechaussée fell twenty metres at a waterfall and gave out, Mosselman had to leave six men, his native sergeant, the convicts and — for fear of their losing the way — Wokas as well. “And that nearly cost Mosselman his success and… cost Wokas his amply and thoroughly deserved chance of a decoration. But Wokas was a marechaussee and bore that reverse as such.”
See Also
Source
Generaal Swart, Pacificator van Atjeh (“General Swart, Pacifier of Atjeh”), by M. H. du Croo, Colonel K.N.I.L. (retired), with the collaboration of H. J. Schmidt, Titular Colonel K.N.I.L. (retired), with a foreword by His Excellency Lieutenant-General K.N.I.L. (retired) G. K. Dijkstra (Maastricht: N.V. Leiter-Nypels, 1943), Chapter X.