** World War II Dutch Landstorm war and social upheaval: World War II -- Dutch Landstorm militia








Dutch Landstorm : World War II

German World War II invasion of the Netherlands
Figure 1.-- This Swedish press photo shows Landstorm youths training with a tank in winter conditions before the outbreak of World War II (January 1939). The Landstorm was partially mobilized when the Germans struck (May 1940), but proved no match for the well trained and equipped Germans.

The Landstorm (country storm) was a people's militia organized in German (or related) German speaking countries to support the regular army during the Napoleonic Wars. The Dutch had a long history with civilian militias. The Dutch War of Independence was largely fought with civilian militia units (16th-17th centuries). Landstorm units during the Napoleonic Wars were organized in Austria, Prussia and the Netherlands. All male citizens could join. Important people who helped organize the units became officers. Some weapons were given out, but often members furnished their own weapons. The original Dutch Landstorm played a role in the Dutch Liberation War (1813-15). It was disbanded after the Belgian revolt (1832). It was felt unecessary because the Netherlands and Belgium decided to follow the Swiss example and base their defense on neutrality. With tension rising in Europe during the early-20th century, the Dutch began to increase military spending. One other measure was authorizing the reestalishment of the Landstorm (1913). The outbreak of World War I was a shock to the Dutch because the Germans ignored Belgian neutrality and invaded the country (1914). This meant that neutrality, the core of Dutch security planning, was no real guarantee of Dutch security. One of the steps taken was to establish Landstorm units. Some 20,000 men volunteered. The Landstorm played an important role in maintaining order in the chaotic conditions when the Germans surrendered (1918). The Germans never invaded the Netherlands during World War I so many Dutch people, despite the German invasion of neighboring Belgium, did not lose their faith in the protection of neutrality. The Dutch attempted to build a creditable albeit small military. The Dutch mobilized their Army at the onset of World War II, still hopeing that neutrality would protect them (1939). An expanded Landstorm consisted of 90,000 volunteers. Only half were mobilized. Landstorm units engaged the Germans when they ignored the country's neutrality and invaded (May 1940), but the Landstorm as well as the Dutch Army itself proved no match for hihghly professional Wehrmacht. The Germans during the resulting occupation raised the 34th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division Landstorm Nederland in the Netherlands, but despite the name it had nothing to do with the hitoric Dutch Landstorm. The Germans adopted the term to attempt to help recruit Dutch patriots. With few exceptions only Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (NSB -- Dutch NAZIs) members joined. Unlike most Waffen SS units recruited in the West, they actually fought in the West.







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Created: 7:34 PM 8/30/2016
Last updated: 7:34 PM 8/30/2016