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Korps Mariniers
Active 10 December 1665 - present
Country Netherlands
Branch Navy
Type Marine Corps
Role Rapid Reaction Force/Commando infantry/Light infantry
Size 4 battalions
Part of Koninklijke Marine
Garrison/HQ 1e Mariniersbataljon - Doorn
2e Mariniersbataljon - Doorn
3e Mariniersbataljon - Aruba/Curaçao
Amfibisch Gevechtssteunbataljon - Doorn/Texel
Logistiek Bataljon - Doorn
Motto Qua Patet Orbis (Wherever The World Extends)
Commanders
Ceremonial chief HM The Queen

The Korps Mariniers is the marine corps of the Netherlands. The Dutch Marine Corps is the elite amphibious infantry component of the Royal Netherlands Navy, and it is trained to operate anywhere in the world under any (geological and climatological) condition, as an expeditionary rapid reaction force. Within 48 hours, the Dutch marines are deployed anywhere in the world. Their motto: Qua Patet Orbis (Wherever The World Extends).

Contents

History

The corps was founded on 10 December 1665 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War by the unofficial leader of the republic Johan de Witt and Admiral Michiel de Ruyter as the Regiment de Marine. Its leader was Willem Joseph Baron 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 Spanish Marines (1537), the Portuguese Marines (1610), the French Marines (1622) and the British 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 honors on the Korps Mariniers' colors are: Chatham (1667), Kijkduin (1673), Sennefe (1674), Spain, Dogger Bank (1781), West Indies, Algiers (1816), Atjeh, Bali, Rotterdam (1940), Java Sea (1942), Java and Madoera (1947-1948), and New Guinea (1962).

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 honor "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 Senef 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 British-Netherlands 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 the German paratroopers in the central city from hooking up 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 labelled 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 West 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.

Modern Korps Mariniers

On 11 June 1977, Dutch Army and Marines 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 Dutch Air Force F-104 Starfighters buzzed the train as a diversion just before the assault. Six terrorists and two hostages were killed in the storming. The Marines have become one of the Dutch government's primary counter-terrorism forces. (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 - present: deployment in Afghanistan.

  • Marines have been deployed in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (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 Team 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. Currently Marines are serving in Uruzgan as NLD Operational Mentor and Liaisons Team, for recruiting and training new military personnel of the Afghan National Army in the Uruzgan province. Training takes place at Kamp Holland, Tarin Kowt.

1 August 2003 - 2004: deployment in Iraq.

  • 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 were 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).

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.

Structure

Netherlands Marine Corps Organization

All operational units of the Netherlands Marine Corps fall under the Marine Training Commando (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 Logistics Battalion (LOGBAT)

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 two active company stationed in the Caribbean. 31 Coy on Curaçao and 32 Coy on Aruba. These units are under direct command of the Navy Commander of the Caribbean (CZMCARIB)

1MARNSBAT is the main contribution of the Netherlands Marine Corps to the United Kingdom/Netherlands Landing Force (UK/NL LF). 2MARNSBAT is the core of the Dutch contribution to the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land) (AMF(L)), a fast intervention force of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). 2MARNSBAT regularly participates in United Nations missions or other international operations.

Ampibious Combat Support Battallion

The Amphibious Combat Support Battalion (AMFGEVSTBAT) consists of:

  • 2 120mm Mortar Companies (MRCIE1 & 2) and an Air Defense Platoon (TLPEL). Together, they called MJEB (Marine Joint Effect Battery)
  • Special Forces: Maritime Special Operations company (MSO-CIE). MSO-CIE is reorganised, and will consist of 3 platoons (MSO-PEL 1, 2 and 3) consisting of:
    • MSO-PEL 1 + 2: specialists of the former Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon (AMFVERKPEL) (combat divers)
    • MSO-PEL 3: specialists of the former Mountain Leader Reconnaissance Platoon (MLVERKPEL) (mountain and cold weather specialists).

Together with Korps Commandotroepen of the Dutch Army, they form the combined Special Operations Forces (NL SOF).

  • 2 companies, the 1st and 2nd Boat Company, that contain all amphibious landing craft as well as the Amphibious Beach Unit that supports landings from the beach.

Note: The Unit Interventie Mariniers (CT-unit) is no longer integrated to the MSO-CIE, as it has been absorbed into the newly found Dienst Speciale Interventies for domestic counter-terrorism operations. UIM operations are controlled (operationally) by DSI, but is commanded by the Chief Operations CZSK.

Logistic Battallion

To operate successfully, the Marine Battalions need logistical support. This basically means providing transportation, supplies, food, housing, and mental and medical care. When the GOEM was created, the Logistical Battalion (LOGBAT) was created with it for this reason and its personnel consists of both marines and navy personnel, forming a navy-marinecorps team. The commanding officer of LOGBAT usually is a navy commander of the logistics branch. LOGBAT has 3 tasks:

  • Maintaining the units of the MTC;
  • Provide housing for the MTC;
  • Provide the MTC with the possibility to train and better themselves, to perform their tasks.

LOGBAT contains 3 companies to perform a variety of tasks.

  • The Logistical Company (LOGCIE),
  • the Medical Company (GNKCIE), and
  • the Transport Company (TCIE).

LOGCIE is responsible for maintaining supplies, distributing supplies among combat units, providing communication possibilities, and handling administration. It is divided in 5 platoons:

  • Supply Platoon (BEVOPEL);
  • Maintenance Platoon (ONDERHPEL);
  • Clothing and Food Platoon (KLEVOPEL);
  • Administration Platoon (ADMINPEL);
  • Communications Platoon (VBDPEL).

GNKCIE is responsible for providing medical, dental and mental care to MTC units. The company contains basic medical units (BME), an infirmary, a Field Dressing Station (FDS), and an environmental health / workplace safety section. The FDS is a role 2 mobile field hospital similar to the United States Military combat support hospital. It is able to provide full surgical capabilities and is set up in a small amount of time.

TCIE's task is to provide and maintain the mobility required by any MTC units. It contains 3 platoons:

  • Transportation Platoon;
  • Workshop Platoon;
  • Support Echelon Platoon.

Recruitment and Training

The Dutch Marine Corps is the oldest armed force of the Netherlands, and it is one of the 3 elite forces in the Dutch armed forces (the other being the Army's Korps Commandotroepen (special forces) and 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade (an air assault unit)). The training to become a marine is one of the most rigorous within the Dutch armed forces. Therefore, Dutch marines are known as hardened, professional soldiers.

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.

Initial training

Initial training to become an enlisted marine in the Netherlands lasts about 30 weeks (8 months - almost equivalent to that of the British Royal Marines). 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 not everyone will make it through the 30 weeks. If successfully completed, the recruits receive their "dark blue beret", and will be assigned to one of the marine platoons in one of the two infantry battalions of Mariniers Training Commando (MTC) in Doorn.

Initial training to become a marine officer in the Netherlands lasts a total of 18 months, starting a half-year general officer's training at the Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine (Royal Dutch Naval Academy), followed by an intensive 12 months of practical marine officer's training (POTOM - Praktische Opleiding tot Officier der Mariniers). This part of the initial training programme is modular, which means that it is made 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, that is commanding a troop (or squad) of 8 marines. This module lasts for 8 weeks, and emphasizes on 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 as well as that of the British Royal Marines. If successfully completed, the fresh marine officers receive their "dark blue beret", and they will be assigned to a marine platoon in one of the two infantry battalions of Mariniers Training Commando (MTC) in Doorn.

Operational training

All Dutch marines will be trained to operate in any condition, both geologically and climatologically. Therefore, Dutch marines regularly train in arctic, 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.

Specialisations

Experienced marines are able to obtain various specialisations. It is common that marines have multiple specialisations.

Some of the 'hottest' specialisations:

Equipment

Armour

Tracked

Wheeled

  • 20 Patria XA-188 - Armoured personnel carriers and ambulances

Artillery

Landingcraft

  • 5 L9525 LCU Mk2 - Landing craft utility
  • 12 LCVP Mk5c - Landing craft vehicle personnel
  • Landing Craft Rubber (Motorized)

Other vehicles

Personal weapons

UK/NL landing force

Marines in a RIB

Since 1973, units of the Netherlands Marine Corps have formed part of the British 3 Commando Brigade during exercises and real conflict situations. 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 nickname of the Dutch Marines among their Royal Marine counterparts is "Cloggies."

Alliances

References

  • Beknopte geschiedenis Korps Mariniers
  • Klein, Edwin,'The Dutch Marines and the Indonesian Problem', Marine Corps Gazette, Aug 1946.
  • Dorren, C.J.O., De geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Korps Mariniers van 1665-1945, 's Gravenhage, 1948.
  • Coox, Alvin D., 'The Dutch Invasion of England: 1667', Military Affairs, Vol. 13 No. 4, Winter 1949, pp. 223-233.
  • Dorren, C.J.O., 'Een historische terugblik op de ontsluiting van Japan na de maritieme strafexpedities tegen Kagoshima en Simonoseki (1863-1864)', Marineblad, 1950.
  • Edwards, H. W., 'Netherlands Korps Mariniers', Marine Corps Gazette, Sep 1953.
  • Dorren, C.J.O., Onze marineiersbrigade (1945-1949). Een veelbewogen episode in de korpsgeschiedenis, 's Gravenhage, 1955.
  • Strandberg. Carl, 'Netherlands Marines', Marine Corps Gazette, Dec 1961.
  • Bosscher, Ph. M., 'De gezantschapswacht te Peking', Marineblad, Vol. 75, 1965, pp.1145-1198.
  • Middelhoff, A.J.M., 'De geschiedenis van het 1ste Bataljon Marinetroepen', Marineblad, Vol. 79, 1969, pp. 627-642
  • de Korver, Michael, 'Royal Netherlands Marines belong to the world's second oldest marine corps', Marine Corps Gazette, Feb 1979.
  • Scharfen, 'Het Korps Mariniers' (interview), Marine Corps Gazette, Oct 1987.
  • Schoonoord, D.C.L., De Mariniersbrigade 1943-1949 Wording en inzet in Indonesië, Instituut voor Maritieme Historie, The Hague, 1988.
  • van Holst-Pellekaan, R.E., de Regst, I.C. and Bastiaans, I.F.J, Patrouilleren voor de Papoea's: de Koninklijke Marine in Nederlands Nieuw-Guinea 1945-1960, Amsterdam, 1989.

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