Thread by @bonesoflasalle

Jonkheer Alidius Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer was the last Governor-General of the Dutch East Indes. He ruled by martial law after the German invasion of the Netherlands and presided over the desperate defense against Japan in 1942. 🇳🇱

Lt. Admiral Conrad Helfrich was overall military commander in the Dutch East Indies at the start of WW2. His aggressive tactics earned him the nickname “Ship-a-day Helfrich” as his Dutch O-Boats drew first blood against the Japanese (outperforming the US). 🇳🇱

Rear Admiral Karel Doorman came from a Dutch Catholic family with a long tradition of military service. He commanded Allied forces in the futile Battle of the Java Sea from his cruiser HNLMS De Ruyter, attacking aggressively and choosing to go down with his ship. 🇳🇱

General Henri Winkelman was appointed commander of the Dutch army shortly after the start of WW2 in Europe. With a small army with no tanks & little modern artillery Winkelman focused on defending the Randstad, hanging on for four days which was 3 more than the Germans expected🇳🇱

General Godfried van Voorst tot Voorst was the second highest ranking officer of the Dutch army in WW2 and a renowned strategist of the day. He probably would’ve been commander but was Catholic & already had a brother on the General Staff. He fought the Battle of the Grebbeberg🇳🇱

General Hendrik Seyffardt was a former Chief of the General Staff who joined the Dutch fascist party NSB in 1937 but later resigned. After the German conquest of the Netherlands he served as nominal commander of the Dutch volunteer SS legion “Nederland” on the Russian front.🇳🇱

Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld was the son-in-law of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands & she appointed him to coordinate the Dutch underground & on her own authority made him a general & commander of all Dutch armed forces in 1944. He took the surrender of the Germans.🇳🇱

Lt. Gen. Hein ter Poorten commanded the colonial army in the Dutch East Indies in WW2. He eventually commanded all Allied forces in the defense of Java. He had a reputation for being skilled & realistic but sometimes clashed with the civilian authorities. 🇳🇱

Capt. Jean Victor de Bruijn led a small force of Papuan native soldiers in western New Guinea for two years in a guerrilla war against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies, blowing up ammo, destroying supplies & ambushing Japanese soldiers. He & his men were evacuated in 44.🇳🇱

Capt. Jacob van Helsdingen was a pilot in the Dutch East Indies colonial Air Force in WW2. He shot down a Japanese bomber over Singapore, aided in sinking 2 transports & damaging several warships in the Battle of Balikpapan & shot down a Zero over Lembang in the Battle of Java.🇳🇱

SS- Rottenführer Derk Elsko Bruins was an NSB member who volunteered for service with the Waffen-SS on the Eastern front in 1941. He earned the Knights Iron Cross for destroying 11 Soviet tanks in 2 days fighting near the Narva bridgehead.🇳🇱

SS-Untersturmführer Gerardus Mooyman joined the NSB and in 1941 volunteered for service with the Waffen-SS on the Russian front. He was the first non-German to earn the Knights Iron Cross for destroying 13 Soviet tanks at Lake Ladoga. He destroyed 23 before the war ended.🇳🇱

Capt. Piet de Jong was xo & last co of the Dutch submarine O-24 which sunk 9 Axis ships during WW2, earning 2 bronze Crosses for Bravery. After the war he became leader of the Catholic People’s Party & was Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1967-1971.🇳🇱

Lieutenant at Sea J.F. van Dulm commanded the Dutch submarine O-21 in WW2 which sunk 6 Axis ships (including a German submarine) & damaged 3.🇳🇱

Major Johan Henri Jacometti was born on Java in the Dutch East Indies, he was KIA during the Battle of Grebbeberg in the Netherlands when he tried to lead a counterattack, drawing his sword & charging the German army shouting “Long live the Queen & death to the Hun!” Boss.🇳🇱

Flooding the countryside has been a Dutch defensive tactic for centuries, from the 80 Years War to WW2 it was used effectively. Holland could become practically an island with effective use of strategic flooding. 🇳🇱