Koninklijke Landmacht

The Royal Netherlands Army

Index
History
Orbat
Mobile forces
Defence forces
Regiment Commandotroepen
Het Korps Mariners
Regiments
Rank structure
Language

History

The Royal Dutch Army (KLa) has a long and honourable tradition of service to the Netherlands. In the Twilight War they fought bravely alongside British and German troops in Bavaria against the Warsaw Pact, whilst Dutch Marines were prominent in the fighting in North Norway and the Kola Peninsular. However in January 1998 the French and Belgian armies occupied the west bank of the Rhine, attacking KLa units as they did so and forcing them back across the Rhine. The Franco-Belgian forces then created a buffer-zone on the eastern bank which was little more than a free-fire zone.

Dutch forces re-grouped as best they could whilst guerrilla and terrorist groups sprung up to take the war to the French and Belgians. Using their links with the Flemish population of Belgium the Dutch attacks began to take and increasing toll in the occupiers. The Dutch government began to reform and regain some control over its territories and further increase the tempo of resistance operations. It appeared for a time that the French would loose patience and invade the rest of the Netherlands, but the British moved troops into the Arnhem area causing the French to back down.

The Treaty of Arnhem in 2007 saw the foundation of what would be the modern Netherlands. The French withdrew from the west bank, and the Netherlands would take control of the German west bank of the Rhine down to the old capital of Bonn. The French were to annex Belgium which would become a Departement of France. The Netherlands were left in relative peace to try and rebuild their shattered and flooded country whilst also trying to bring their new German Territories under control. The ‘German territories’ became the main operational area for the Dutch Army until the early 22nd Century when the territories finally came to see themselves as a part of the Netherlands and began to integrate into Dutch society. The Netherlands settled down and threw itself into reclaiming the Dutch territories from the sea and rebuilding the German territories. By the mid-22nd Century they had largely succeeded.

The Dutch Army settled down to a role of defending the Netherlands territory, caught as it was between a powerful France and the fragmented and often unstable German states. The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC or Het Korps Mariner) were given the responsibility of operating outside of the borders of the Netherlands. To this end the Dutch Army began a long period of re-organisation. It saw little need for a traditional large standing army with armour and artillery. Much of the Netherlands was now once more heavily populated and largely covered in urban areas which left little room for manoeuvre warfare. In addition the Dutch Army was trying to rid itself of the tag of being the ‘oppressor’ of the German territories.

The Army then formed two wings, a professional Regular force and a much larger Conscript force. The Regular force was originally two divisions in size, but eventually fell to one division in size. The regular soldiers were men who had served their 18 month conscript service and had signed on to full time service. They would man formations equipped with heavy armour and artillery and would form a rapid-reaction striking force, as well as providing instructors and officers for the conscript force. The conscript force consisted of men undertaking their mandatory 18 months of service. Organised into local battalions and brigades the conscripts were trained to fight a defensive battle to slow and maul an invading enemy, if over run they were to form the nucleus of a resitance movement.

As the 22nd Century came to an end the Dutch made a political decision not to try and become a starfaring nation and to concentrate on improving the standard of living of its own citizens. The Dutch had traditionally been a trading and financial nation and they decided to continue that way, with Dutch money invested in many large merchant fleets. Many Netherlanders did decide to try their luck in the colonies, but they tended to emigrate to British, American or Bavarian territories. Dutch citizens were also to be found working for many different foundations.

Two events disturbed the equilibrium of the Dutch during the last years of the 23rd Century, and they came to culmination at the same time. The largest was the movement towards German Reunification, led by ambitious Hanoverian politicians. Hanover had long been an ally of the Netherlands, but the Dutch feared for the stability of what were once again being called the ‘German territories’. Indeed there was some resurgence of German nationalism in the territories but it did not lead to violence.

When the newly organised German Army mobilised in their dispute against France, the Dutch Army also brought its forces to a high standard of readiness. Germany’s traditional invasion routes into France were through the Low Countries and the Dutch wanted to take no chances. As hostilities looked more likely, covert meetings between Dutch and German politicians took place at Maastricht. The Germans renounced any claim to the ‘German territories’ but asked the Dutch to be able to launch counter-attacks against French aggression through Dutch territory. Officially the Dutch refused.

Once the hostilities broke out the war ended quickly. Both sides claimed provocation but the German Army broke into French territory and was only just stopped on the Somme. Peace was negotiated soon afterwards. The French claimed that the Dutch had indeed allowed German units through border areas, but few observers believed it was more that French sour grapes.

The second event was the long simmering discontent of the Flemish-speaking people in France’s Belgian Departement along the south-west border of the Netherlands. The Flemish believed themselves to be persecuted by the French and forced to loose their cultural identity. A nationalist movement had existed for many years, and some small scale terrorist actions had been committed. The over-reaction of the brutal French CRS police had lead to even more resentment amongst the Flemish.

The Flemish independence movement had been receiving financial support from Dutch groups for many years, despite the efforts of the French secret services. Indeed the assassination of a Dutch banker in Rotterdam in 2289 had led to a distinct chill in Franco-Dutch relations. Ironically the Reunification of Germany led to a explosion of popular support for the Flemish independence that French repression could not stamp out.

When the German Army invaded France, Flanders reacted by rising up in arms against the French. Police stations were burnt and CRS units bombed and ambushed. The self-declared Flemish Army included many Dutch ‘volunteers’ and proved more than capable of taking on and defeating the French paramilitaries. Persistent rumours about the presence of Dutch Commandos and Marines have never been adequately investigated, but it seems likely that the Dutch military had been involved in the planning and execution of the Flemish War of Independence.

Whilst the initial operations of the Flemish Army had gone well, the besieged French had managed to gather enough forces to begin a counter-attack. The Flemish Army was forced out of the suburbs of Brussels in heavy fighting and a French Light Armoured Division was poised to enter the fray to the West and crush the Lille Pocket. It was at this stage the Dutch government recognised the government of an Independent Flanders, and revealed the deployment of 1 Pantser Brigade on its border with Flanders.

The threat of Dutch military intervention was enough for the overstretched French still fighting the Germans and they tacitly recognised the independence of Flanders and withdrew their forces to the south. Fighting continued between the Flemish Army and the Walloon Militia even after the signing of the Treaty of Waterloo, but soon petered out. The French made much of the presence of the Dutch heavy units in the north, and added to their claims of Germano-Dutch co-operation.

The Dutch Army has expended in recent years to deal with a number of difficulties. The Treaty of Antwerp has led to close defence links with Flanders and Dutch servicemen are in that country helping to construct that countries military. In addition many Dutch volunteers serve in the ranks of the Flemish Army.

The new German state has recently increased its rhetoric about returning all ‘German territory back to the Fatherland’. This has led to consternation in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austrovenia and France as well as the Netherlands. Pro-German agitation on the West Bank of the Rhine has resulted in a number of terrorist incidents, and discipline has been tightened in the conscript units of the region.

The last consideration for Dutch defence policy has been the Kafer War along the French Arm. Originally seen as little more than a distraction, the harsh occupation of human colonies has led to an outcry amongst the liberal Dutch. The Dutch response has been one that has surprised some European commentators with elements of three Dutch battalions being deployed with British Commonwealth forces, acquitting themselves excellently in low intensity combat. However this commitment may now be scaled back with the retreat of Kafer forces.

Index

ORBAT

Nationaal Commando

The vast majority of KLa forces come under the National Command, dedicated with the defence of the territory of the Netherlands. These forces are divided into two groups, manoeuvre and defence forces. The mobile forces are composed of regular and reservist troops, whilst defence forces are mainly composed of conscripts.

Manoeuvreren Afdeling

The Royal Netherlands Army currently has two regular brigades on permanent stand-by, and one division of three brigades on lower levels of stand-by and require mobilisation of reserves to bring themselves up to strength. They provide the main striking force of the Netherlands Army.

1 Pantser Brigade (1 Armoured Bde)

1 Pantser Brigade is the KLa heavy combat force. It consists of one armoured battalion equipped with Tijger (LkPz-IX) hovertanks, and two armoured infantry battalions equipped with Ritterman (Templer) APC. It also has a battalion of artillery, a company of engineers, an air defence-battery and a reconnaissance squadron. It is supported by Command, Maintainance, Medical and Supply Companies organised into a battalion. It is based in Oirschot, Ede, Soesterberg and Arnhem. Due to the crowded and urbanised nature of much of the Netherlands most artillery are equipped with howitzers and not rocket systems.

The units of the brigade operate in combined arms company groups, typically consisting of a tank platoon and two infantry platoons. Also attached to this brigade is a recently organised assault infantry battalion, using German Sturmtaktik techniques. It has two battle-suited assault companies and a support company with Combat Walkers and modified close support hovertanks. This unit has been on service with a British Guards brigade on the French Arm for much of the last year alongside a recce squadron from the brigade.

1 Verkenningseskadron 'Huzaren Prins van Oranje'
11 Tankbataljon 'Huzaren van Sytzama'
17 Pantserinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Van Heutsz'
44 Pantserinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Bevrijding'
11e Afdeling Rijdende Artillerie 'Gele Rijders'
1 Brigadepantsergeniecompagnie
1 Pantserluchtdoelartilleriebatterij
1 Pantserbrigadecommandoensupportbataljon
101 Bestormeninfanteriebataljon 'Guarde Regiment Fusiliers Prinses Irene'

11 Lichte Brigade (11 Light Brigade)

11 Lichte Brigade is the lighter complement to 1 Pantser Brigade. It’s role is one of highly manoeuvrable advance and strike and of mobile defence. As such the brigade has a high level of airmobility and gunship support provided by the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Airforce). The brigade has three squadrons of tiltwing transports under command and also is normally supported by the KLu’s Attack Group of three squadrons of X-wing gunships, although these can be deployed elsewhere.

11 Lichte Brigade has one reconnaissance regiment, with two recce companies and a tank squadron. There are also three airmobile infantry battalions. The brigade also has the same level of support as 1 Pantser Brigade. The brigade operates by locating the flanks and weak spots of an enemy and hitting it.

11 Verkenningsbataljon 'Huzaren van Boreel'
11 Luchtmobieleinfanteriebataljon 'Guarde Regiment Grenadiers'
12 Luchtmobieleinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Stoottroepen'
13 Luchtmobieleinfanteriebataljon 'Guarde Regiment Jagers'
1e Afdeling Veldartillerie
11 Brigadeluchtmobielegeniecompagnie
11 Luchtmobieleluchtdoelartilleriebatterij
11 Lichtebrigadecommandoensupportbataljon

1 Divisie ‘7 December’

The 1st Division is the mobilisation element of the manoeuvre forces, being able to reinforce the standing forces at relatively short notice. The Division's support elements are 40% manned in peacetime, whilst the three mechanised brigades are at 60% manning. Reservists are able to bring these units up to full strength in around 48 hours. Divisional assets include a divisional artillery group, an engineering group, an air defence battalion as well as supply and service units. A reconnaissance regiment is also included.

The Division's assets are scattered throughout the Netherlands and often operate independently under the direct authority of the National Command.

101 Verkenningsbataljon 'Huzaren van Boreel'
101 Divisieveldartilleriegroep
101 Divisiegeniegroep
1e Afdeling Luchtdoelartillerie
200 Bevoorrading- en Transportbataljon
300 Materieeldienstbataljon
Support Command 1 Divisie '7 December'

12 Gemechaniseerde Brigade

12 Mechanised Brigade is representative of the KLa's second line armoured formations. Organisationally it is the identical to 1 Pantser Brigade, in that it has one armoured battalion, two mechanised infantry battalions and a range of support units. However the equipment of these brigades is a generation behind that of the more advanced brigade. The current hovertank is the Leeuw (LkPz-VIII) and the current APC the LkPzTr-VIII. The Brigade is stationed in the Southern Netherlands.

12 Verkenningseskadron 'Huzaren Prins Alexander'
59 Tankbataljon 'Huzaren Prins van Oranje'
52 Gemechaniseerdeinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Oranje Gelderland'
33 Gemechaniseerdeinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Hans Steiner'
14e Afdeling Veldartillerie
12 Brigadegemechaniseedegeniecompagnie
12 Gemechaniseerdeluchtdoelartilleriebatterij
12 Gemechaniseerdebrigadecommandoensupportbataljon

13 Gemechaniseerde Brigade

This brigade is stationed in the Northern Netherlands.

13 Verkenningseskadron 'Huzaren van Sytzama'
49 Tankbataljon 'Huzaren Prins Alexander'
17 Gemechaniseerdeinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Chassé'
48 Gemechaniseerdeinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Johan Willem Friso'
12e Afdeling Veldartillerie
13 Brigadegemechaniseedegeniecompagnie
13 Gemechaniseerdeluchtdoelartilleriebatterij
13 Gemechaniseerdebrigadecommandoensupportbataljon

41 Gemechaniseerde Brigade

This brigade is stationed in the central Netherlands.

41 Verkenningseskadron 'Huzaren Prins van Oranje'
41 Tankbataljon 'Huzaren van Sytzama'
42 Gemechaniseerdeinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Limburgse Jagers'
47 Gemechaniseerdeinfanteriebataljon 'Regiment Menno Van Coehoorn'
43e Afdeling Veldartillerie
41 Brigadegemechaniseedegeniecompagnie
41 Gemechaniseerdeluchtdoelartilleriebatterij
41 Gemechaniseerdebrigadecommandoensupportbataljon

Index

Verdediging Afdeling

The KLa conscript forces are organised into 11 Infanterie Brigades, each organised in one of the countries provinces and named after it. The Infanterie Brigades have between one and three infantry battalions (six in the West Rhine), an artillery battalion, mechanised battalion (one recce company and one armoured company.) There are also a number of security companies of reservists who are mobilised during wartime to guard key installations.

It is the role of these brigades to slow and tie down any invader in the cities of the Netherlands and make him vulnerable to a counter-attack from the mobile forces. These units are 80% formed from conscript soldiers undertaking their 18 month period of national service. However its expected that in their defensive role these troops will perform excellently.

Groningen
Friesland
Drenthe
Overijssel
Gelderland
Utrecht
Noord Holland
Zuid Holland
Zeeland
Noord Brabant
Limburg
West Rhineland

Index

Regiment Commandotroepen

The Commando Regiment is the evolution from the original Korps Commandotroepen of the Twilight War. Originally the Korps provided a LRRP capacity to 1 NL Corps and a special security detachment to the National Command. After the French invasion alongside the Marines the Commandos were the lead agency in attacking the occupying French. They organised and led guerrilla bands, conducted raids and assassinations. 305 Commando Company's duel with the Belgian 1st Para-Commando Battalion has become a major part of Dutch military myth.

The regiment is rumoured to have been a major force on the ground during the recent Flanders conflict, although no real proof has yet been found. The Commandos are recruited from the ranks of the KLa's regular soldiers and have to pass a gruelling selection and training course. The regiment has close links with the British SAS (and does much of its training in the UK) but its formerly cordial relationship with the Hanoverian Kommando Gruppe Braunschweig has declined in the years since unification. The regiment concentrates on long range reconnaissance, sabotage and the conduct of guerrilla operations. The regiment currently has three commando companies, 101, 104 and 305, and a Regimental Headquarters. Elements of 104 Commando Company have seen service on the French Arm.

Index

Het Korps Mariner

The RNLMC has a proud history back to 1665 (indeed it is one of the very few military units to have a battle-honour won on British soil), and to this day is the Netherlands rapid reaction force with responsibility for operations outside of the borders of the Netherlands. In addition the RNLMC has responsibility for internal counter-terrorist operations. In this role it has been increasingly active in the ‘German territories’, including the 2299 breaking of a siege in Cologne with the death of all 5 terrorists.

The RNLMC currently has three permanent battalions and one reserve battalion. In addition it has a Special Boat Section, an assault boat group and a heavy mortar company. The RNLMC is often carried aboard the Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy) assault ships, Chatham and Rotterdam. The 1st Marine Battalion is currently on Nous Voila on the French Arm, serving with the UK's 4 Commando Brigade.

Index

Regiments

The KLa has a regimental system similar to that of the British Army. The various fighting units of the army belong to one of 13 infantry or 4 Hussar regiments, each with long histories and traditional titles. The Guards regiments and the Bevrijding (Liberation) regiment each have only one fully regular battalion. The other regiments have a number of battalions in the mobile and defence forces.

Infantry

Guarde Regiment Grenadiers
Guarde Regiment Jagers
 
Guarde Regiment Fusiliers Prinses Irene
 
The Guards Regiment Fusiliers Princess Irene is the youngest Guards regiment in the KLa having been formed from the WW2 Princess Irene Brigade that was formed by escaped Dutch soldiers in Britain. The Brigade fought alongside British and Canadian soldiers in the liberation of the Netherlands, it was decided to honour this unit by converting it to a Guards regiment. The regiment fought in Indonesia after the war and in Germany, Poland and Belgium in the Twilight War. It has recently been converted into an assault infantry formation.
 
Regiment Chassé
Regiment Oranje Gelderland
Regiment Menno Van Coehoorn
Regiment Johan Willem Friso
 
Regiment Stoottroepen
 
The Stoottroepen or 'Stormtroopers' regiment was formed in the last years of WW2 from resistance fighters in Holland. Although poorly equipped and trained they fought hard to secure the Netherlands, and were rewarded with regular status after the war. In the Twilight War they fought against both Italians, French and Belgians and were the last regiment forced across the bridge at Arnhem. Fittingly many 'Stootters' were prominent in the resistance movement against the French occupation. Today the regiment has one regular and three conscript battalions.
 
Regiment Limburgse Jagers
Regiment Van Heutsz
 
Regiment Bevrijding
 
The Bevrijding or 'Liberation' regiment were a regiment formed from Belgian troops who fought alongside the British in WW2. A predominantly Flemish regiment it took part in the invasion of the Netherlands and the drive to Arnhem. However the treatment the French were inflicting on the Dutch together with skilful Dutch propaganda caused the battalion to defect across to the Dutch in 2005, although badly damaged by the furious French in the attempt. The regiment currently has one regular battalion, and continues to recruit a high proportion of Flemish soldiers.
 
Regiment Hans Steiner
 
This regiment was formed in the years after the Twilight War, from a marauder band led by Hans Steiner which was the centre of opposition to Dutch rule in the West Rhineland. Eventually Steiner realised the futility of his actions and the continuing violence he was continuing to cause to the people of the area. A treaty followed and Steiner became a leading pro-Dutch loyalist. Today the regiment has one regular and two conscript battalions.
 
Regiment West Rhine
 
Another regiment created in the mid-21st century in the West Rhine and recruits primarily from the revived urban areas of Bonn and West Cologne. The regiment has no regular battalions but it has four battalions of conscripts.

Armour

Huzaren Prins Alexander
Huzaren van Boreel
Huzaren van Sytzama
Huzaren Prins van Oranje

Index

Rank structure

The KLa has a relatively conventional rank structure, (which has some different titles for cavalry in bold) which needs no real translation.

Officers ranks

Generaal
Luitenant-Generaal
Generaal-Majoor
Brigade-Generaal
Kolonel
Luitenant-Kolonel
Majoor
Kapitein (Ritmeester)
Eerste Luitenant
Tweede Luitenant

Enlisted ranks

Adjudant-Onderofficier
Sergeant-Majoor Instructeur
Sergeant-Majoor Administrateur
Compagnie Sergeant-Majoor (Eskadron-Opperwachtmeester)
Sergeant der eerste klasse
Sergeant (Wachtmeester)
Korporaal der eerste klasse
Korporal
Soldaat der eerste klasse
Soldaat

Index

Language

Language in the KLa, like the Netherlands as a whole is something of a difficult subject, the North Netherlands speak Dutch, whilst the old German territories of the South Netherlands speak German. In addition most Netherlanders have a high degree in fluency in other languages. As a result English is also something of a lingua franca, in the military all of these three languages are in use.

Index


Copyright 2009, D Hebditch