Netherlands Marine Corps
Encyclopedia
The Korps Mariniers is the marine corps and amphibious
infantry
component of the Royal Netherlands Navy
. The marines are trained to operate anywhere in the world in all environments, under any condition and circumstance, as a rapid reaction force. The Korps Mariniers can be deployed to a given location within 48 hours. Their motto is Qua Patet Orbis ("As Far As The World Extends").
by the unofficial leader of the Dutch Republic
, Johan de Witt
, and Admiral Michiel de Ruyter
as the Regiment de Marine. Its leader was Willem Joseph van Ghent
. The Dutch had successfully used ordinary soldiers in ships at sea in the First Anglo-Dutch War
. It was the fifth European Marine unit formed, being preceded by the Spain
's Infantería de Armada (1537), the Portuguese Marine Corps
(1610), France
's Troupes de marine
(1622), and the English
Royal Marines
(1664). Like Britain, the Netherlands has had several periods when its Marines were disbanded. The Netherlands itself was under French occupation or control from 1810 until 1813. A new Marine unit was raised on 20 March 1801 during the time of the Batavian Republic
and on 14 August 1806 the Korps Koninklijke Grenadiers van de Marine was raised under King Louis Bonaparte
. The modern Korps Mariniers dates from 1814, receiving its current name in 1817.
The battle honours
on the Korps Mariniers' colors are:
In 1667, led by van Ghent, now an admiral, and their new commander, the Englishman Colonel Thomas Dolman, the Regiment de Marine played a prominent part in the large Dutch raid, the "Raid on the Medway
" on England (10–14 June). The Korps' battle honour "Chatham" is one of the few ever won on British soil by a foreign unit. The July 2nd attack on Landguard fort near Harwich, performed by 1.500 Mariniers after landing at Woodrich was beaten off by the fort's garrison.
The Mariniers also fought in the Franco-Dutch War
/Third Anglo-Dutch War
. On June 29, 1672, after serving in the naval Battle of Solebay
(7 June), two-thirds of the Marines were withdrawn from the fleet and formed into a brigade in order to stiffen the inefficient and largely mercenary army in anticipation of an English invasion. They returned to their ships in time to help stop an English invasion by defeating a combined English and French force at the naval Battle of Kijkduin (Battle of Texel)
on 21 August 1673. Led by Gerolf van Isselmuyden, they served in the land battle of Seneffe against the French in 1674.
Dutch support of American independence led to the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War
, where the Mariniers served at Dogger Bank
.
In 1704, Netherlands Marines were part of a combined English-Dutch force under Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt
that captured Gibraltar
and defended it successfully shortly afterwards. They would combine with the British
again for the bombardment of Algiers in 1816.
The Korps Mariniers served in some of the operations of the Netherlands in the Dutch East Indies
colony. The Netherlands took a slow approach to conquering the entire colony and operations consolidating their rule lasted from the 1850s until shortly before World War I
. The battle honors from the Aceh War
(1873–1913) and Bali
date from this time.
In World War II
, a Korps Mariniers unit in Rotterdam
preparing to ship out to the Dutch East Indies successfully defended the bridges across the Maas
, preventing German paratroopers in the center of the city from rendezvousing with conventional German infantry. The Germans ended the stalemate by bombing Rotterdam
. The threat of an attack by marines caused its German captain to scuttle the Antilla
in Aruba
in 1940.
When the surrender was declared and the Dutch soldiers came out of their positions, the German commander who was expecting a full battalion of men was stunned to see only a few Dutch Marines emerge in their black uniforms. He ordered his men to salute them out of respect for their bravery and determination and labeled them Zwarte duivels (The Black Devils).
Some Mariniers later joined the Princess Irene Brigade to fight against the Germans. They distinguished themselves in combat near the Dutch city of Tilburg
in the autumn of 1944.
Starting in 1943, the United States Marine Corps
trained and equipped a new brigade, the Mariniersbrigade, of the Korps Mariniers at Camp Lejeune
and Camp Davis
in North Carolina
in preparation for amphibious landings against the Japanese
in the Dutch East Indies. The Japanese surrendered before such landings were needed, but the Mariniersbrigade, fully trained and equipped, left North Carolina in six transports in 1945 and fought against the Indonesians in their National Revolution
for independence. It was part of the A Division, which was itself commanded by a Korps Mariniers officer. It was disbanded in 1949.
The Dutch kept Western New Guinea
after the Indonesian National Revolution and the Korps Mariniers served there until 1962 when it was granted independence. The same year it was invaded and incorporated into Indonesia.
of the Dutch Marine Corps stormed a train that was being held hostage since 23 May by armed South Moluccan extremists in the village of De Punt, in the province of Drenthe
. Six Royal Netherlands Air Force
F-104 Starfighter
s buzzed the train as a diversion just before the assault. Six terrorists and two hostages were killed in the storming. The BBE has become the Dutch government's primary counter-terrorism
force. (See "Combat Support Battalion" below.)
Lately the Marines have been deployed in various operations all over the world.
18 feb 1992 - 18 November 1993: United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).
1995–present: Former Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Kosovo.
28 July 2000 - 7 February 2003: United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).
11 January 2002–July 2010: deployment in Afghanistan.
1 August 2003 - 2004: deployment in Iraq
.
18 November 2003 - 19 February 2004: United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
2005-2006: United Nations Organization Mission in the democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC)
The Corps celebrates its birthday each year at the Oostplein (lit., East Square) in Rotterdam
, where all fallen (ex) corpsmembers are remembered.
On 29 May 2009, Marco Kroon
, a member of the Korps Commandotroepen
and a former member of the Netherlands Marine Corps, was awarded the Military William Order, the highest military decoration in The Netherlands.
ě
All operational units of the Netherlands Marine Corps fall under the Marine Training Command (MTC).
The MTC is a brigade sized organisation which contains two of the three Marine Battalions (MARNSBATs) (the third being in the Caribbean
), the Amphibious Combat Support Battalion (AMFGEVSTBAT) and the Amphibious Logistics Battalion (AMFLOGBAT)
(CZMCARIB)
1MARNSBAT is the main contribution of the Netherlands Marine Corps to the United Kingdom/Netherlands Landing Force (UK/NL LF). 2MARNSBAT was the core of the Dutch contribution to the ACE Mobile Force (Land) (AMF(L)), a now-disbanded fast intervention force of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). 2MARNSBAT regularly participates in United Nations
missions or other international operations.
. This basically means providing transportation, supplies, food, housing, and mental and medical care. This duty is carried out by the Amphibious Logistic Battalion. Its personnel consists of both marines and navy personnel, forming a navy-marinecorps team. The commanding officer of AMFLOGBAT usually is a navy commander of the logistics branch. AMFLOGBAT has 2 tasks:
AMFLOGBAT contains 3 companies:
format of the Marine Corps, after merging the Mountain Leader
Reconnaissance Platoon, the Unit Interventie Mariniers and the frogman
(combat divers) platoon. The new Maritime SF training takes about 40 weeks, and eligible marines will be trained to become long-range reconnaissance/SF operators and maritime counter-terrorism
specialists, with emphasis on maritime special operations (special operations conducted in water-rich environments, and conducted from sea to land). Those who wish to specialise for Mountain Leader or 'frogman' can apply for these specialisations following completion of the SF training. MARSOF is modeled after the British Special Boat Service
.
There are two career possibilities to become a marine: enlisted marine, and marine officer
, depending on the educational background.
Only men are allowed to serve as marines but many female navy personnel are attached to marine corps units as cooks, administrators, nurses or medical officers.
). It is given at the Mariniers Opleidingscentrum (M.O.C.) at the Van Ghentkazerne in Rotterdam. It is rigorous and very demanding, both physically and mentally, and eventually 33% to 50% will pass. If successfully completed, the recruits receive their "dark blue beret", and will be assigned to the operational units of Mariniers Training Commando (MTC).
Initial training to become a marine officer in the Netherlands lasts a total of 18 months, starting with a half-year general officer's training at the Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine (Royal Dutch Naval Academy) and followed by an intensive 11 months of practical marine officer's training, regarded as the most demanding initial militairy training within the Dutch armed forces (POTOM - Praktische Opleiding tot Officier der Mariniers). This part of the initial training programme is modular, which means that it is made up of 3 phases. First, the prospective officers will learn the basic skills of every enlisted marine, which takes about 10 weeks. After phase one comes the second phase, commanding a troop (or squad) of 8 marines. This module lasts for 8 weeks, and emphasizes nightly operations. After successfully completing the second phase comes the final phase of commanding a platoon of marines. This last module is the longest, and cross-training is given by both the Dutch Marine training cadre and that of the British Royal Marines
. If this is successfully completed, the marine officer will be assigned to the operational units of the Mariniers Training Commando (MTC).
, jungle
, desert
, high-altitude
and urban
conditions. Throughout their service, the marines embark on various training missions throughout the world. Amphibious warfare forms the heart of the marine corps, and this aspect is already implemented in the initial military training program. During operational training, there is more emphasis on various other tactics in amphibious warfare.
Popular specialisations include:
Some of these specialisations require the rank of Corporal
before being able to follow specialisation training, and must not exceed a maximum age.
Since 1973, units of the Netherlands Marine Corps have formed part of the British 3 Commando Brigade during exercises and real conflict situations. Also, the 7th SBS NL troop will be placed under UK operational command as part of C Squadron, UK Special Boat Service
. Together, these form the UK/NL Landing Force. Either the First or the Second Marine Battalion can be assigned as the Dutch contribution to this force.
The cooperation between the Korps Mariniers and the Royal Marines
has led to extensive integration in the areas of operations, logistics and materials. Within NATO this is seen as a prime example of what can be achieved in military integration.
The RNLMC and Royal Marines
have a long history of cooperation. During combined actions by the British and Dutch navies during the War of the Spanish Succession
(1702–1713), amphibious operations were carried out, the most notable being the Siege of Gibraltar
in 1704. During this action, a successful attack was carried out against the fortress of Gibraltar
by an 1800-strong brigade of Dutch and British Marines under the command of Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt
. Both corps share this battle honour.
The British and Dutch armed forces share close relations. The Royal Marines
and Netherlands Marine Corps are allied through a 'Bond of friendship'.
The nickname of the Dutch Marines among their British Royal Marine counterparts is "Cloggies," due to the stereotype that most or all Dutch wear clogs, instead of "normal" footwear.
(Bond of Friendship) United States Marine Corps
(Bond of Friendship)
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
component of the Royal Netherlands Navy
Royal Netherlands Navy
The Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
. The marines are trained to operate anywhere in the world in all environments, under any condition and circumstance, as a rapid reaction force. The Korps Mariniers can be deployed to a given location within 48 hours. Their motto is Qua Patet Orbis ("As Far As The World Extends").
History
The corps was founded on 10 December 1665 during the Second Anglo-Dutch WarSecond Anglo-Dutch War
The Second Anglo–Dutch War was part of a series of four Anglo–Dutch Wars fought between the English and the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries for control over the seas and trade routes....
by the unofficial leader of the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
, Johan de Witt
Johan de Witt
Johan de Witt, heer van Zuid- en Noord-Linschoten, Snelrewaard, Hekendorp and IJsselveere was a key figure in Dutch politics in the mid 17th century, when its flourishing sea trade in a period of globalization made the United Provinces a leading European power during the Dutch Golden Age...
, and Admiral Michiel de Ruyter
Michiel de Ruyter
Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter is the most famous and one of the most skilled admirals in Dutch history. De Ruyter is most famous for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. He fought the English and French and scored several major victories against them, the best known probably...
as the Regiment de Marine. Its leader was Willem Joseph van Ghent
Willem Joseph van Ghent
Willem Joseph baron van Ghent tot Drakenburgh was a 17th-century Dutch admiral. His surname is also sometimes rendered Gendt or Gent.-Early career:...
. The Dutch had successfully used ordinary soldiers in ships at sea in the First Anglo-Dutch War
First Anglo-Dutch War
The First Anglo–Dutch War was the first of the four Anglo–Dutch Wars. It was fought entirely at sea between the navies of the Commonwealth of England and the United Provinces of the Netherlands. Caused by disputes over trade, the war began with English attacks on Dutch merchant shipping, but...
. It was the fifth European Marine unit formed, being preceded by the Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's Infantería de Armada (1537), the Portuguese Marine Corps
Portuguese Marine Corps
The Portuguese Marine Corps are a special operations force unit in the Portuguese Navy. The corps is specialised in amphibious warfare, coastal reconnaissance, maritime interdiction and boarding operations...
(1610), France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's Troupes de marine
Troupes de marine
The or Infanterie de marine, formerly Troupes coloniales, are an arm of the French Army with a colonial heritage. The Troupes de marine have a dedicated overseas service role. Despite their title they have been a part of the Army since 1958...
(1622), and the English
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
(1664). Like Britain, the Netherlands has had several periods when its Marines were disbanded. The Netherlands itself was under French occupation or control from 1810 until 1813. A new Marine unit was raised on 20 March 1801 during the time of the Batavian Republic
Batavian Republic
The Batavian Republic was the successor of the Republic of the United Netherlands. It was proclaimed on January 19, 1795, and ended on June 5, 1806, with the accession of Louis Bonaparte to the throne of the Kingdom of Holland....
and on 14 August 1806 the Korps Koninklijke Grenadiers van de Marine was raised under King Louis Bonaparte
Louis Bonaparte
Louis Napoléon Bonaparte, Prince Français, Comte de Saint-Leu , King of Holland , was the fifth surviving child and the fourth surviving son of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino...
. The modern Korps Mariniers dates from 1814, receiving its current name in 1817.
The battle honours
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
on the Korps Mariniers' colors are:
| Chatham Raid on the Medway The Raid on the Medway, sometimes called the Battle of the Medway, Raid on Chatham or the Battle of Chatham, was a successful Dutch attack on the largest English naval ships, laid up in the dockyards of their main naval base Chatham, that took place in June 1667 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War... (1667) |
Kijkduin Battle of Texel The naval Battle of Texel or Battle of Kijkduin took place on 21 August 1673 between the Dutch and the combined English and French fleets and was the last major battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War, which was itself part of the Franco-Dutch War , during which Louis XIV of France invaded the... (1673) |
Senneffe Battle of Seneffe The Battle of Seneffe was fought on 11 August 1674 and resulted in a draw.The armies were under the command of Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé and the Dutch-German-Spanish army under William III of Orange.... (1674) |
Spain War of the Spanish Succession The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have... (1702-13) |
West Indies (1764 . 1772-77) |
Dogger Bank Battle of Dogger Bank (1781) The naval Battle of the Dogger Bank took place on 5 August 1781 during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, part of the American War of Independence, in the North Sea... (1781) |
Algiers (1816) |
Bali Bali Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east... (1846-49) |
Aceh Aceh Aceh is a special region of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Its full name is Daerah Istimewa Aceh , Nanggroë Aceh Darussalam and Aceh . Past spellings of its name include Acheh, Atjeh and Achin... (1873-76) |
Rotterdam (1940) |
Java Sea Battle of the Java Sea The Battle of the Java Sea was a decisive naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, that sealed the fate of the Netherlands East Indies.... (1942) |
East Java (1942) |
Java Java Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java... and Madura (1946–49) |
New Guinea Netherlands New Guinea Netherlands New Guinea refers to the West Papua region while it was an overseas territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1949 to 1962. Until 1949 it was a part of the Netherlands Indies. It was commonly known as Dutch New Guinea... (1962) |
Cambodia United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia The United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia was a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cambodia in 1992–93. It was also the first occasion on which the UN had taken over the administration of an independent state, organized and run an election , had its own radio station and jail,... 1992-93 |
In 1667, led by van Ghent, now an admiral, and their new commander, the Englishman Colonel Thomas Dolman, the Regiment de Marine played a prominent part in the large Dutch raid, the "Raid on the Medway
Raid on the Medway
The Raid on the Medway, sometimes called the Battle of the Medway, Raid on Chatham or the Battle of Chatham, was a successful Dutch attack on the largest English naval ships, laid up in the dockyards of their main naval base Chatham, that took place in June 1667 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War...
" on England (10–14 June). The Korps' battle honour "Chatham" is one of the few ever won on British soil by a foreign unit. The July 2nd attack on Landguard fort near Harwich, performed by 1.500 Mariniers after landing at Woodrich was beaten off by the fort's garrison.
The Mariniers also fought in the Franco-Dutch War
Franco-Dutch War
The Franco-Dutch War, often called simply the Dutch War was a war fought by France, Sweden, the Bishopric of Münster, the Archbishopric of Cologne and England against the United Netherlands, which were later joined by the Austrian Habsburg lands, Brandenburg and Spain to form a quadruple alliance...
/Third Anglo-Dutch War
Third Anglo-Dutch War
The Third Anglo–Dutch War or Third Dutch War was a military conflict between England and the Dutch Republic lasting from 1672 to 1674. It was part of the larger Franco-Dutch War...
. On June 29, 1672, after serving in the naval Battle of Solebay
Battle of Solebay
The naval Battle of Solebay took place on 28 May Old Style, 7 June New Style 1672 and was the first naval battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War.-The battle:...
(7 June), two-thirds of the Marines were withdrawn from the fleet and formed into a brigade in order to stiffen the inefficient and largely mercenary army in anticipation of an English invasion. They returned to their ships in time to help stop an English invasion by defeating a combined English and French force at the naval Battle of Kijkduin (Battle of Texel)
Battle of Texel
The naval Battle of Texel or Battle of Kijkduin took place on 21 August 1673 between the Dutch and the combined English and French fleets and was the last major battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War, which was itself part of the Franco-Dutch War , during which Louis XIV of France invaded the...
on 21 August 1673. Led by Gerolf van Isselmuyden, they served in the land battle of Seneffe against the French in 1674.
Dutch support of American independence led to the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War
Fourth Anglo-Dutch War
The Fourth Anglo–Dutch War was a conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Dutch Republic. The war, tangentially related to the American Revolutionary War, broke out over British and Dutch disagreements on the legality and conduct of Dutch trade with Britain's enemies in that...
, where the Mariniers served at Dogger Bank
Battle of Dogger Bank (1781)
The naval Battle of the Dogger Bank took place on 5 August 1781 during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, part of the American War of Independence, in the North Sea...
.
In 1704, Netherlands Marines were part of a combined English-Dutch force under Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt
Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt
Prince George Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt was a Field Marshal in the Austrian army. He is known for his career in Habsburg Spain, as Viceroy of Catalonia , head of the Austrian army in the War of Spanish Succession and governor of Gibraltar in 1704...
that captured Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
and defended it successfully shortly afterwards. They would combine with the British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
again for the bombardment of Algiers in 1816.
The Korps Mariniers served in some of the operations of the Netherlands in the Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
colony. The Netherlands took a slow approach to conquering the entire colony and operations consolidating their rule lasted from the 1850s until shortly before World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The battle honors from the Aceh War
Aceh War
The Aceh War, also known as the Dutch War or the Infidel War , was an armed military conflict between the Sultanate of Aceh and the Netherlands which was triggered by discussions between representatives of Aceh and the U.S. in Singapore during early 1873...
(1873–1913) and Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
date from this time.
In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a Korps Mariniers unit in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
preparing to ship out to the Dutch East Indies successfully defended the bridges across the Maas
Meuse River
The Maas or Meuse is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea...
, preventing German paratroopers in the center of the city from rendezvousing with conventional German infantry. The Germans ended the stalemate by bombing Rotterdam
Rotterdam Blitz
The Rotterdam Blitz refers to the aerial bombardment of Rotterdam by the German Air Force on 14 May 1940, during the German invasion of the Netherlands in World War II. The objective was to support the German troops fighting in the city, break Dutch resistance and force the Dutch to surrender...
. The threat of an attack by marines caused its German captain to scuttle the Antilla
Antilla shipwreck
The Antilla is World War II shipwreck off the coast of Aruba that is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving destination.When Germany invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940, the relationship between the two nations was obviously strained. As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this extended to...
in Aruba
Aruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
in 1940.
When the surrender was declared and the Dutch soldiers came out of their positions, the German commander who was expecting a full battalion of men was stunned to see only a few Dutch Marines emerge in their black uniforms. He ordered his men to salute them out of respect for their bravery and determination and labeled them Zwarte duivels (The Black Devils).
Some Mariniers later joined the Princess Irene Brigade to fight against the Germans. They distinguished themselves in combat near the Dutch city of Tilburg
Tilburg
Tilburg is a landlocked municipality and a city in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of Noord-Brabant.Tilburg municipality also includes the villages of Berkel-Enschot and Udenhout....
in the autumn of 1944.
Starting in 1943, the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
trained and equipped a new brigade, the Mariniersbrigade, of the Korps Mariniers at Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
and Camp Davis
Camp Davis
Marine Corps Outlying Field Camp Davis is a military use airport located southeast of the central business district of Holly Ridge, in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in preparation for amphibious landings against the Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
in the Dutch East Indies. The Japanese surrendered before such landings were needed, but the Mariniersbrigade, fully trained and equipped, left North Carolina in six transports in 1945 and fought against the Indonesians in their National Revolution
Indonesian National Revolution
The Indonesian National Revolution or Indonesian War of Independence was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between Indonesia and the Dutch Empire, and an internal social revolution...
for independence. It was part of the A Division, which was itself commanded by a Korps Mariniers officer. It was disbanded in 1949.
The Dutch kept Western New Guinea
Western New Guinea
West Papua informally refers to the Indonesian western half of the island of New Guinea and other smaller islands to its west. The region is officially administered as two provinces: Papua and West Papua. The eastern half of New Guinea is Papua New Guinea.The population of approximately 3 million...
after the Indonesian National Revolution and the Korps Mariniers served there until 1962 when it was granted independence. The same year it was invaded and incorporated into Indonesia.
Modern Korps Mariniers
On 11 June 1977, the Bijzondere Bijstands EenheidBijzondere Bijstands Eenheid
The Unit Interventie Mariniers , formerly known as the Bijzondere Bijstands Eenheid , is an elite Dutch special forces unit, which is specially trained for intervention missions...
of the Dutch Marine Corps stormed a train that was being held hostage since 23 May by armed South Moluccan extremists in the village of De Punt, in the province of Drenthe
Drenthe
Drenthe is a province of the Netherlands, located in the north-east of the country. The capital city is Assen. It is bordered by Overijssel to the south, Friesland to the west, Groningen to the north, and Germany to the east.-History:Drenthe, unlike many other parts of the Netherlands, has been a...
. Six Royal Netherlands Air Force
Royal Netherlands Air Force
The Royal Netherlands Air Force , Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht , is the military aviation branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Its ancestor, the Luchtvaartafdeling of the Dutch Army was founded on 1 July 1913, with four pilots...
F-104 Starfighter
F-104 Starfighter
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
s buzzed the train as a diversion just before the assault. Six terrorists and two hostages were killed in the storming. The BBE has become the Dutch government's primary counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
force. (See "Combat Support Battalion" below.)
Lately the Marines have been deployed in various operations all over the world.
18 feb 1992 - 18 November 1993: United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).
- Three Battalion of Marines and a Navy field hospital (FDS)were stationed in Cambodia following the 1991 Paris peace treaty when the civil war was ended.
1995–present: Former Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Kosovo.
28 July 2000 - 7 February 2003: United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).
11 January 2002–July 2010: deployment in Afghanistan.
- Marines were deployed in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance ForceInternational Security Assistance ForceThe International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
(ISAF) on several occasions. The second battalion with the field hospital was deployed in Mazar-e Sharif in 2005 to provide security during the elections. Marines and Navy personnel were also stationed in the Provincial Reconstruction TeamProvincial reconstruction teamA Provincial Reconstruction Team is a unit introduced by the United States government, consisting of military officers, diplomats, and reconstruction subject matter experts, working to support reconstruction efforts in unstable states. PRTs were first established in Afghanistan in late 2001 or...
in pol-e-Khomri, province of Baghlan. They took over from the Dutch Airforce and Army in 2005 and were relieved in October 2006 when Hungarian forces took over. Formerly Marines were serving in Uruzgan as NLD Operational Mentor and Liaisons Team, for recruiting and training new military personnel of the Afghan National ArmyAfghan National ArmyThe Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...
in the Uruzgan province. Training took place at Kamp HollandKamp HollandKamp Holland is the main Dutch military base on the outskirts of Tarin Kowt, the provincial capital of Uruzgan province in southern Afghanistan....
, Tarin KowtTarin KowtTarinkot or Tarin Kowt is the capital of Orūzgān province in southern Afghanistan in Tarin Kowt District. It is a town of about 10,000 people, with some 200 small shops in the city's bazaar...
. A reinforced company was deployed in the Deh Rashan area of Uruzgan province. Two marines were killed on April 17, 2010, their BvS 10BvS 10The BvS 10 is an All Terrain Armoured Vehicle produced by BAE Systems Land Systems Hagglunds of Sweden. This vehicle, referred to as the All Terrain Vehicle - ATV or VIKING by the UK forces, was originally developed as a collaboration between industry - Hägglunds Vehicle AB - and the UK Ministry...
Viking was hit by an IEDImprovised explosive deviceAn improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
.
1 August 2003 - 2004: deployment in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
- Two battalions of marines were sent to Iraq after the second Gulf war as part of the stabilisation Force Iraq (SFIR). They were stationed in the province of Al-Muthanna where they fell under British command. Main base was located at camp Smitty in As Samawah. One company of marines was located at the village of Ar Rumaythah and one at the village of Al Khidr.
18 November 2003 - 19 February 2004: United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
- One platoon of Dutch marines was deployed on board HNLMS Rotterdam, a Landing platform dock (LPD) of the Royal Netherlands NavyRoyal Netherlands NavyThe Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
to provide logistical support for UNMIL landforces.
2005-2006: United Nations Organization Mission in the democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC)
- Major General of the Marines Patrick CammaertPatrick CammaertMajor General Patrick Cammaert is a Dutch military commander who is currently serving as the United Nations Force Commander for the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was previously the Military Advisor to the Secretary General of the United Nations...
was appointed division commander by UN secretary general Kofi AnnanKofi AnnanKofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
.
The Corps celebrates its birthday each year at the Oostplein (lit., East Square) in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, where all fallen (ex) corpsmembers are remembered.
On 29 May 2009, Marco Kroon
Marco Kroon
Captain Marinus Johannes "Marco" Kroon, RMWO is a Dutch soldier serving with the Korps Commandotroepen. Kroon is a Knight of the Military William Order and the first new member of this very exclusive Order in over half a century...
, a member of the Korps Commandotroepen
Commando
In English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
and a former member of the Netherlands Marine Corps, was awarded the Military William Order, the highest military decoration in The Netherlands.
ě
Structure
The MTC is a brigade sized organisation which contains two of the three Marine Battalions (MARNSBATs) (the third being in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
), the Amphibious Combat Support Battalion (AMFGEVSTBAT) and the Amphibious Logistics Battalion (AMFLOGBAT)
Battalions
The Netherlands Marine Corps has 3 operational Marine Battalions. Two of those (1MARNSBAT and 2MARNSBAT) are stationed in the Netherlands. The 3rd Marine Battalion (3MARNSBAT) has only one active companie 32 INFCIE stationed on Aruba, 31 INFCIE on Curaçao was disbanded in 2009. 32 INFCIE is under direct command of the Navy Commander of the CaribbeanCaribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
(CZMCARIB)
1MARNSBAT is the main contribution of the Netherlands Marine Corps to the United Kingdom/Netherlands Landing Force (UK/NL LF). 2MARNSBAT was the core of the Dutch contribution to the ACE Mobile Force (Land) (AMF(L)), a now-disbanded fast intervention force of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). 2MARNSBAT regularly participates in United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
missions or other international operations.
1MARNSBAT
1MARNSBAT consists of:- HQ Company
- 2 Infantry Companies: 11 Coy. is specialised MountainMountain warfareMountain warfare refers to warfare in the mountains or similarly rough terrain. This type of warfare is also called Alpine warfare, named after the Alps mountains...
and Arctic warfareArctic warfareArctic warfare or winter warfare is a term used to describe armed conflict that takes place in an exceptionally cold weather, usually in snowy and icy terrain, sometimes on ice-covered bodies of water...
and 13 Coy. is specialised in Jungle warfareJungle warfareJungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
and equipped with BvS 10 VIKINGBvS 10The BvS 10 is an All Terrain Armoured Vehicle produced by BAE Systems Land Systems Hagglunds of Sweden. This vehicle, referred to as the All Terrain Vehicle - ATV or VIKING by the UK forces, was originally developed as a collaboration between industry - Hägglunds Vehicle AB - and the UK Ministry...
All Terrain Armoured Vehicles - 14th Support Arms Company with SpikeSpike (missile)Spike is a fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with tandem-charged HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and in service with a number of nations....
Anti-tank guided missileAnti-tank guided missileAn anti-tank missile , anti-tank guided missile , anti-tank guided weapon or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily-armored military vehicles....
s, 81mm MortarL16 81mm MortarThe United Kingdom's L16 81 mm mortar is the standard mortar used by the British armed forces. It originated as a joint design by UK and Canada. The version produced and used by Australia is named the F2 81mm Mortar, whilst the version used by the U.S...
s, Assault EngineerMilitary engineerIn military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
s, Snipers and Reconnaissance Marines
2MARNSBAT
2MARNSBAT consists of:- HQ Company
- 3x Infantry Companies: the 21st trained for Jungle warfare and riverine operations, the 22nd equipped with BvS 10 VIKING All Terrain Armoured Vehicles and the 23rd trained for Urban warfareUrban warfareUrban warfare is combat conducted in urban areas such as towns and cities. Urban combat is very different from combat in the open at both the operational and tactical level...
- 24th Support Arms Company with Spike ATGM, 81mm Mortars, Assault Engineers, Snipers and Reconnaissance Marines
Amphibious Combat Support Battalion
The Amphibious Combat Support Battalion consists of:- 2x Boat Companies, that contain all amphibious landing craft as well as the Amphibious Beach Unit that supports landings from the beach
- Marine Joint Effect Battery, with 120mm Mortars, Joint Effects Observers and FIM-92 StingerFIM-92 StingerThe FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile , which can be adapted to fire from ground vehicles and helicopters , developed in the United States and entered into service in 1981. Used by the militaries of the U.S...
MANPADS - Naval Special Operations Company
Amphibious Logistic Battalion
To operate successfully, the Marine Battalions need logistical supportLogistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
. This basically means providing transportation, supplies, food, housing, and mental and medical care. This duty is carried out by the Amphibious Logistic Battalion. Its personnel consists of both marines and navy personnel, forming a navy-marinecorps team. The commanding officer of AMFLOGBAT usually is a navy commander of the logistics branch. AMFLOGBAT has 2 tasks:
- Maintain MTCs units
- Provide MTCs units with the possibility to train and better themselves
AMFLOGBAT contains 3 companies:
- Combat Service Support 1 (supports 1MARNSBAT)
- Combat Service Support 2 (supports 2MARNSBAT)
- Seabased Support Group
Special Forces
The Maritime Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) is the new Special ForcesSpecial forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
format of the Marine Corps, after merging the Mountain Leader
Mountain Leader
A Mountain Leader is a military professional specialising in delivering training for, or leading, operations in high altitude or extremely low temperature environments.-Mountain Leader :...
Reconnaissance Platoon, the Unit Interventie Mariniers and the frogman
Frogman
A frogman is someone who is trained to scuba diving or swim underwater in a military capacity which can include combat. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver or combatant diver or combat swimmer....
(combat divers) platoon. The new Maritime SF training takes about 40 weeks, and eligible marines will be trained to become long-range reconnaissance/SF operators and maritime counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
specialists, with emphasis on maritime special operations (special operations conducted in water-rich environments, and conducted from sea to land). Those who wish to specialise for Mountain Leader or 'frogman' can apply for these specialisations following completion of the SF training. MARSOF is modeled after the British Special Boat Service
Special Boat Service
The Special Boat Service is the special forces unit of the British Royal Navy. Together with the Special Air Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group they form the United Kingdom Special Forces and come under joint control of the same Director Special...
.
Recruitment and Training
The Dutch Marine Corps is the oldest branch of the armed forces of the Netherlands.There are two career possibilities to become a marine: enlisted marine, and marine officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
, depending on the educational background.
Only men are allowed to serve as marines but many female navy personnel are attached to marine corps units as cooks, administrators, nurses or medical officers.
Initial training
Initial training to become an enlisted marine in the Netherlands lasts about 33 weeks (8 months - roughly equivalent to that of the British Royal MarinesRoyal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
). It is given at the Mariniers Opleidingscentrum (M.O.C.) at the Van Ghentkazerne in Rotterdam. It is rigorous and very demanding, both physically and mentally, and eventually 33% to 50% will pass. If successfully completed, the recruits receive their "dark blue beret", and will be assigned to the operational units of Mariniers Training Commando (MTC).
Initial training to become a marine officer in the Netherlands lasts a total of 18 months, starting with a half-year general officer's training at the Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine (Royal Dutch Naval Academy) and followed by an intensive 11 months of practical marine officer's training, regarded as the most demanding initial militairy training within the Dutch armed forces (POTOM - Praktische Opleiding tot Officier der Mariniers). This part of the initial training programme is modular, which means that it is made up of 3 phases. First, the prospective officers will learn the basic skills of every enlisted marine, which takes about 10 weeks. After phase one comes the second phase, commanding a troop (or squad) of 8 marines. This module lasts for 8 weeks, and emphasizes nightly operations. After successfully completing the second phase comes the final phase of commanding a platoon of marines. This last module is the longest, and cross-training is given by both the Dutch Marine training cadre and that of the British Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
. If this is successfully completed, the marine officer will be assigned to the operational units of the Mariniers Training Commando (MTC).
Operational training
All Dutch marines are trained to operate in any environment, under any condition and circumstance. Therefore, Dutch marines regularly train in arcticArctic warfare
Arctic warfare or winter warfare is a term used to describe armed conflict that takes place in an exceptionally cold weather, usually in snowy and icy terrain, sometimes on ice-covered bodies of water...
, jungle
Jungle warfare
Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
, desert
Desert warfare
Desert warfare is combat in deserts. In desert warfare the elements can sometimes be more dangerous than the actual enemy. The desert terrain is the second most inhospitable to troops following a cold environment...
, high-altitude
Mountain warfare
Mountain warfare refers to warfare in the mountains or similarly rough terrain. This type of warfare is also called Alpine warfare, named after the Alps mountains...
and urban
Urban warfare
Urban warfare is combat conducted in urban areas such as towns and cities. Urban combat is very different from combat in the open at both the operational and tactical level...
conditions. Throughout their service, the marines embark on various training missions throughout the world. Amphibious warfare forms the heart of the marine corps, and this aspect is already implemented in the initial military training program. During operational training, there is more emphasis on various other tactics in amphibious warfare.
Specialisation
Experienced marines are able to obtain various specialisations. It is common for marines to have multiple specialisations.Popular specialisations include:
- Weapons Instructor
- Sports or PT Instructor
- Mortar specialist (120 mm mortar)
- Radio specialist
- Marksman
- Sniper
- Marine Scout
- Combat Life Saver
- Medic
- Free-fall parachutist
- Force Reconnaissance ("pathfinder")
- Special Forces (the Mountain LeaderMountain LeaderA Mountain Leader is a military professional specialising in delivering training for, or leading, operations in high altitude or extremely low temperature environments.-Mountain Leader :...
s and frogmen platoons have merged with the Unit Interventie Mariniers, creating the new Maritime Special Operations Force (MARSOF). Eligible marines will follow a 40 week special forces training course, after which they become long-range reconnaissance/SF operators and CT specialists. Graduates are able to specialise further as Mountain LeaderMountain LeaderA Mountain Leader is a military professional specialising in delivering training for, or leading, operations in high altitude or extremely low temperature environments.-Mountain Leader :...
or frogman.)
Some of these specialisations require the rank of Corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
before being able to follow specialisation training, and must not exceed a maximum age.
Armour
- 156 BV206S armored all-terrain personnel carriers(127 will get a Mid-Life Update, the rest will be disposed of or sold)
- 74 BVS10 armored all-terrain personnel carriers
- 20 XA-188Sisu XA-180The Patria Pasi is a Finnish made six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier originally designed for Finnish Defence Forces. The first version was produced in 1983 and serial production began in 1984. The basic design was based on easy usage, simple basic structure and low cost maintenance...
wheeled armored personnel carriers(11 to be sold to Estonia, the rest will be disposed of or sold) - 4 Leopard 1 BARV beach armored recovery vehicles
Artillery
- RT-120 (Habé Rayé)Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1The MO-120 RT-61 or MO-120-RT is a heavy mortar of French origin. It was designed by Thomson-Brandt as the successor for the MO-120 AM-50...
- 120mm mortar - L16A2 - 81mm mortar
- Brandt MO-60-V - 60mm commando mortarCommando mortarCommando mortar refers to a class of infantry light mortars designed for maximum portability and rapid deployment, at the expense of accuracy and repeatability....
Landingcraft
- 5 L9525 LCU Mk2 - Landing craft utility
- 12 LCVP Mk5c - Landing craft vehicle personnel
- 46 Fast Raiding, Interception and Special Forces Craft, 11 for Special Operation use, 12 for use in the Dutch territories in the Caribbean, 17 for use as small landing crafts and 6 to use in combination with the new Holland Class OPV's
- Landing Craft Rubber (Motorized)
Other vehicles
- Land Rover Defender
- 40 Mercedes-Benz 280 CDIMercedes-Benz G-ClassThe original 460-series Geländewagen went on sale for civilian buyers in 1979, after having debuted in February of that year. It was offered with two wheelbases, a short wheelbase of 2,400 mm and a long one of 2,850 mm. One could choose between three body styles: A two-door short...
- 17 UnimogUnimogUnimog is a range of multi-purpose auto four wheel drive medium trucks produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The name Unimog is pronounced in German and is an acronym for the German "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät", Gerät being the German word for machine or device...
1.2-ton truck - Various DAF trucks
Personal weapons
- Colt Canada C7A1 - 5.56x45mm NATO5.56x45mm NATO5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
assault rifleAssault rifleAn assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies... - Colt Canada C8A1 - 5.56x45mm NATO carbineCarbineA carbine , from French carabine, is a longarm similar to but shorter than a rifle or musket. Many carbines are shortened versions of full rifles, firing the same ammunition at a lower velocity due to a shorter barrel length....
- Colt Canada C7 LSW - 5.56x45mm NATO light machinegun
- Glock 17 - 9x19mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistol
- FN MAGFN MAGThe FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the...
- 7.62x51mm NATO general purpose machinegun - M2HB - .50 inch (12.7 mm) BMG (Browning Machine gun).50 BMGThe .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
heavy machinegun - Steyr SSG 69Steyr SSG 69The SSG 69 is a bolt-action sniper rifle produced by Steyr Mannlicher and serves as the standard sniper rifle for the Austrian Army....
- 7.62x51mm NATO bolt-action sniper rifle - Accuracy International AWMAccuracy International AWMThe AWM is a sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International. It is also known as the AWSM , which typically denotes the .338 Lapua Magnum version.-The Arctic Warfare Magnum system:...
- .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifle - M107 - .50 BMG anti-materiel sniper rifleAnti-materiel rifleAn anti-materiel rifle is a rifle that is designed for use against military equipment rather than against other combatants ....
- Barrett M99Barrett M99The Barrett Model 99 "Big Shot" is a single-shot sniper rifle first introduced in 1999 by the Barrett Firearms Company . The company is better known worldwide for its earlier .50 caliber rifles, the semi-automatic M82A1 and bolt-action M95. Like the M95, the rifle uses a bullpup configuration...
- .50 BMG single-round anti-materiel sniper rifleAnti-materiel rifleAn anti-materiel rifle is a rifle that is designed for use against military equipment rather than against other combatants .... - Heckler & Koch MP5Heckler & Koch MP5The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
- 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun - FN P90FN P90The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced...
- 5.7x28mm submachine gun - Mossberg M590A1 - shotgun
- AT4AT4The AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, portable, single-shot recoilless smoothbore weapon built in Sweden by Saab Bofors Dynamics...
- anti-tank weapon - Panzerfaust 3Panzerfaust 3The Panzerfaust 3 is a modern and disposable recoilless RPG anti-tank weapon developed between 1978 and 1985 and put into service by the Bundeswehr in 1992...
- anti-tank weapon - GillSpike (missile)Spike is a fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with tandem-charged HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and in service with a number of nations....
- anti-tank missile - FIM-92C StingerFIM-92 StingerThe FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile , which can be adapted to fire from ground vehicles and helicopters , developed in the United States and entered into service in 1981. Used by the militaries of the U.S...
- man-portable surface to air missile - Hk416 - (MARSOF only)
- Sig Sauer P226 - (MARSOF only)
UK/NL landing force
Special Boat Service
The Special Boat Service is the special forces unit of the British Royal Navy. Together with the Special Air Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group they form the United Kingdom Special Forces and come under joint control of the same Director Special...
. Together, these form the UK/NL Landing Force. Either the First or the Second Marine Battalion can be assigned as the Dutch contribution to this force.
The cooperation between the Korps Mariniers and the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
has led to extensive integration in the areas of operations, logistics and materials. Within NATO this is seen as a prime example of what can be achieved in military integration.
The RNLMC and Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
have a long history of cooperation. During combined actions by the British and Dutch navies during the War of the Spanish Succession
War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...
(1702–1713), amphibious operations were carried out, the most notable being the Siege of Gibraltar
Siege of Gibraltar
The Siege of Gibraltar can refer to several historical events:* Siege of Gibraltar – first siege of Gibraltar, by Juan Alfonso de Guzman el Bueno in the Reconquista...
in 1704. During this action, a successful attack was carried out against the fortress of Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
by an 1800-strong brigade of Dutch and British Marines under the command of Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt
Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt
Prince George Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt was a Field Marshal in the Austrian army. He is known for his career in Habsburg Spain, as Viceroy of Catalonia , head of the Austrian army in the War of Spanish Succession and governor of Gibraltar in 1704...
. Both corps share this battle honour.
The British and Dutch armed forces share close relations. The Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
and Netherlands Marine Corps are allied through a 'Bond of friendship'.
The nickname of the Dutch Marines among their British Royal Marine counterparts is "Cloggies," due to the stereotype that most or all Dutch wear clogs, instead of "normal" footwear.
Alliances
Royal MarinesRoyal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
(Bond of Friendship) United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
(Bond of Friendship)
External links
- Official site of the Netherlands Marine Corps
- KorpsMariniers.com
- http://www.nimh.nl/korea_tot_kabul/index.html