The 1st Division (Dutch: 1e Divisie) was a military formation of the Royal Netherlands Army that was mobilized in April 1940 and saw action during the Battle of the Netherlands in May 1940.
| 1st Division | |
|---|---|
| 1e Divisie | |
| Active | Mobilized: April 1940 – Disbanded: May 1940 |
| Disbanded | May 1940 |
| Country |  Netherlands |
| Branch | Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) |
| Type | Infantry Division |
| Role | Defence of the Fortress Holland (*Vesting Holland*) |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Part of the I Army Corps |
| Engagements | World War II
|
| Commanders | |
| Commander (1940) | Major General M. Bent |
It was one of the four principal infantry divisions of the Field Army (Veldleger) and was primarily tasked with the defence of the Fortress Holland (*Vesting Holland*).
Organisation (May 10, 1940)
editUpon the German invasion on May 10, 1940, the 1st Division was part of the I Army Corps (I. Legerkorps). The division was commanded by Major General M. Bent.[1]
The structure of the division was as follows:[2]
Divisional Troops
edit- Division Headquarters (Staff 1e Divisie)
- Cyclist Company 1st Division (Rijwielcompagnie 1e Divisie)
- 1st Light Armoured Car Troop (1e Sectie Pantserwagens)
- 1st Signals Battalion (1e Bataljon Verbindingstroepen)
- 1st Supply Battalion (1e Bataljon Trein)
Infantry Regiments
edit- 3rd Infantry Regiment (3e Regiment Infanterie)
- 19th Infantry Regiment (19e Regiment Infanterie)
- 21st Infantry Regiment (21e Regiment Infanterie)
Artillery Regiments
edit- 1st Artillery Regiment (1e Regiment Artillerie) (equipped with 7.5 cm and 10.5 cm guns)
- 1st Anti-Tank Company (1e Compagnie Pantserafweergeschut)
- 1st Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Company (1e Compagnie Luchtdoel Mitrailleurs)
Detached Units
editPrior to the start of the battle, several units were detached from the division for specific duties, including:[2]
- III Battalion, Regiment Grenadiers (III-Regiment Grenadiers) to Commando Luchtverdediging (Ypenburg Airfield)
- III Battalion, Regiment Jagers (III-Regiment Jagers) to Waalhaven Airfield
- 1st Pioneer Company (minus one section) to Groep Merwede
- Anti-aircraft units to the Rotterdam / 's Gravenhage Air Defence Circle and Stelling Den Helder
Commanders
edit- Major General M. Bent[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 War Department (1942). Handbook on the Netherlands and Netherlands East Indies Armies. U.S. War Department. p. 24. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- 1 2 "1e Divisie – Dutch Army Order of Battle – May 10th, 1940". Dutch Army 1940 Order of Battle. Retrieved 2024-06-25.