Military and Mobilization..
On this page, you will find various items related to the military and mobilization category that do not fit into the categories of photos or documents. This can include identification tags, uniforms, and other related items.
Dress Uniform Jacket - Koenraad de Munter.
Here you will find the dress uniform jacket of Koenraad de Munter.
Koenraad de Munter was born on June 8, 1915, in Dordrecht. He is one of the sons of Anthonie Jacobus de Munter and Adriana Langeweg de Munter. He grew up in Dordrecht and became a teacher after completing his education at the teacher training school. On December 4, 1934, he was enlisted as an ordinary conscript in the 6th infantry regiment in Breda. There, he underwent non-commissioned officers training. On March 16, 1935, he was promoted to corporal, on July 20 to provisional sergeant, and on September 4 to sergeant. On September 3, 1935, he took a long leave and did not return until April 9, 1938. At that time, he still resided at 36 Houweningestraat in Dordrecht. In the same year, on July 30, he was appointed as a sergeant-capitulant for a period of six years. In August, he decided to move to Breda, presumably to live closer to his barracks. *1
On April 11, 1939, he was called up as a B.O.U.V. (Extraordinary call-up for external security) and assigned to I-6th Border Battalion. This company, under the command of 1st Lieutenant M.L.G. Brogtrop, had its base in Princenhage near Breda. In the early morning of May 10, 1940, the received orders to destroy various objects, which was the intended role of the Border Battalions. Around 6:00 am, the order was given to advance towards Moerdijk to engage the German paratroopers. After several battles, it became clear that it was not possible to recapture the Moerdijk Bridgehead without reinforcements and heavy weapons. Subsequently, the battalion withdrew towards Wouwse Plantage and eventually to Antwerp. It was there that the war was over for the Netherlands.*2
Military Record K. De munter.
Sergeant de Munter emerged unharmed from the events of May 1940. After the events of May 1940, he went on long leave on June 3, 1940. In November 1940, he performed duties with the Dutch Reconstruction Service ( Nederlandse Opbouw Dienst ) at the Achterberg near Rhenen. This reconstruction service was established on July 15, 1940, by Reich Commissioner Seyss-Inquart as employment for many Dutch soldiers who were unemployed after the surrender. In Rhenen, Koenraad met his future wife, Angenieta ter Haar, and they got married on October 10, 1942 when he was 27 years old. He then lived in Rotterdam between February and November 1942, where he worked as a stationmaster for the Dutch National Railways. After that, he returned to Dordrecht and moved back to 36 Houweningestraat on November 19, 1942. This marked the return of the soldier from Dordrecht. Koenraad de Munter eventually resumed his career as a teacher, first in primary education and later in special education in Gorinchem. He was officially discharged from military service on October 1, 1955.
This photo of Sergeant de Munter was kindly provided by Mr. Bert-Jan Dierink from Mobilisatie museum in tijden van oorlog. *4
Dress uniform Sergeant de Munter.
Below you can see the photos of Sergeant de Munter's gala jacket. The gala uniform was worn during official events, as well as during mourning and wedding ceremonies. The dress jacket shown below is one of the infantry uniforms. The complete ensemble would have consisted of a black gala cap, the jacket and trousers, and a pair of neat shoes. Only the jacket of Sergeant de Munter has survived, with his name written on a label inside one of the pockets. Truly a piece of Dordrecht's history!
The jacket was manufactured in Breda. The rank distinction insignia in the form of "banana peels" indicate that it is the jacket of a Sergeant. The black color and red piping without any further distinguishing marks clearly indicate that it is a Dress Jacket for an infantry military personnel. The name label inside confirms that this was Sergeant de Munter's jacket. The jacket is in excellent condition.
Identification tag of Hendrik Louwman - Dordrecht.
In the photos below, you will find the military identification tag of Mr. Henrik Louwman from Dordrecht. Hendrik Louwman was born on April 26, 1914, as the son of Willem Louwman and Dirksje van den Berg. He was a professional house painter and was called up as a conscript on October 4, 1934, to serve in the 6th Infantry Regiment in Breda. After his initial service, he returned multiple times for training exercises.
On August 29, 1939, he returned as part of the extraordinary call-up for general mobilization. It is unclear where his mobilization destination was as his exact unit is not known. However, his service record indicates that he was still mobilized during May 1940, as he was released from captivity on June 10, 1940. The identification tag you see below belonged to his wartime identity card and was worn around the neck. It is an earlier model that was still handwritten with acid. The later models were stamped and therefore much more legible. The identification tag, also known as the "dog tag" or "fallen soldier tag," bears the name of the soldier, date of birth, and place of birth. In many cases, the military unit was also included on the identification tag. If the soldier was killed in action, the tag was broken. The portion of the tag attached to the string remained with the soldier, while the lower portion of the tag, along with the war pocket book, was sent to the information bureau of the Red Cross. This tag is still intact and virtually in its original condition. However, someone later traced his birthdate with a pen.
Officer's kepi Jaap Elias B.Vest Dordrecht.
Below you can see a grey-green kepi for an officer of the pre-war Dutch army. The kepi was an official headgear for Dutch military personnel until 1931. After that, the side cap (kwartiermuts) was commonly worn. In many cases, the kepi continued to be worn depending on the unit.. *5
The grey-green kepi had different variations for various military units. There were also distinctions made between the kepi for enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers, the kepi for officers, and the kepi for senior officers.
The kepi for enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers featured two piping stripes of a specific color. These colors indicated the branch or arm of service the soldiers belonged to. For example, blue represented infantry, red represented artillery, and there were other colors as well.
The kepi for officers had two gold piping stripes, while the kepi for senior officers had three gold piping stripes.
Additionally, each kepi was adorned with either the Dutch lion emblem or a regimental number.
The latter makes it difficult to associate a specific unit with the kepi below. What makes this kepi particularly special is the fact that it has a name written on it:
"Jaap Elias" Dordrecht B.Vest.
The above photos clearly show the two gold piping stripes, indicating that this kepi is an officer's kepi. The regimental number is 1, which could potentially refer to the 1st Infantry Regiment or the 1st Artillery Regiment, for example. I have tried to research the name Jaap Elias, but so far, I have found no results. He is not listed in the name and rank records of the Royal Army, although it's possible that these records are not complete. The bottom two photos are detailed shots of the sides of the kepi. The holes that you see on the side are ventilation holes. The gold piping stripes and the chin strap, attached on both sides with lion buttons, are clearly visible.
Below are some detailed photos of the kepi and the names written inside. These photos show the regimental number, cockade, and chin strap clearly. Inside the kepi, it appears that the name Jaap Elias is written with a pen. Additionally, the sweatband bears the inscription J. Elias Dordrecht B.Vest.
Based on the available information, it is likely that this kepi belonged to a gentleman named Jaap Elias who resided on the Binnen or Buiten Walevest in Dordrecht during his military service. Another possibility is that he was an officer stationed at the Pontonnierskazerne or Benthienkazerne on the Buiten-Walevest in Dordrecht. In this case, he would not have been a Pontonniers officer, as they wore a lion emblem on their kepi instead of a regimental number. It is possible that Jaap Elias was an infantry or artillery officer assigned to the Pontonniers and Torpedisten corps.
Unfortunately, the information is unclear at this point, and it may require further research or additional details to determine Jaap Elias's specific military role and affiliation.
Can you provide more information about the former owner of this kepi? If so, please email it to info@dordrechtindeoorlog.nl.
Certificate for the Sharpshooter of the Special Volunteer Landstorm.
Below is a framed certificate for the sharpshooter of the Special Volunteer Landstorm. The certificate was awarded to Cornelis de Keizer in the voluntary Landstorm corps Dordrecht. The Special Volunteer Landstorm was a regional preparatory exercise. After a period of training, individuals would eventually be assigned to a regular regiment.
Shooting Medal of the Special Volunteer Landstorm.
This silver medal is a prize for the shooting competition held in 1938 in Hoeksche Waard. The medal was awarded by the Regional Committee of Dordrecht. The front of the medal depicts a laborer with a rifle slung over his shoulder, with the inscription "Als 't moet" below, which translates to "If necessary". The back of the medal displays the occasion for which it was awarded.
War Pocket Book and Identification Tag of Bastiaan van Lelieveld.
Below you can see the war pocket book and the identification tag of Bastiaan van Lelieveld. Bastiaan was born on September 9, 1911 in Dordrecht. His parents were Cornelis van Lelieveld and Jozina Cornelia van Dooren. Bastiaan attended the 7th grade of primary school and then spent 3 years at the H.B.S. (Higher Ciitizen school). He worked as an electrician. On June 16, 1931, Bastiaan was called up as a regular conscript of the 1931 draft from Dordrecht. He was assigned to the Engineer Corps. On November 28, 1931, he was granted leave. On September 9, 1935, he returned for a refresher exercise and then went on leave again on September 25. On July 8, 1937, he returned for another refresher exercise and went on leave on July 24. On October 1, 1938, Conscript private van Lelieveld was transferred to the 1st Engineer Corps. On April 11, 1939, he returned from leave. The war pocket book and identification tag were issued upon enlistment. The soldier always carried them. The text on the identification tag was etched with acid.
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*1 Source: Military record K. De Munter.
*2 Source: 409 gevechtsarchieven- verslag 1e luitenant M.L.G. Brogtrop 1-6GB.
*3 Source: www.oorlogsbronnen.nl-Opbouwdienst.
*4 Source: The information and the photographs of Sergeant de Munter have been kindly made avalaible by Mr. Bert-Jan Dierink from Diepenheim : Mobilisatiemuseum in tijden van oorlog.
*5 Source: www.westervoort.nl/kepie