5th Division (Netherlands)

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5th Division
5e Divisie
ActiveMobilized: April 1940 – Disbanded: May 1940
DisbandedMay 1940
CountryFlag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands
Branch Flag of the Netherlands.svg Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht)
Type Infantry Division
RolePart of the Field Army, initially defending the Peel-Raam Line and later the Fortress Holland (*Vesting Holland*)
SizeDivision
Part ofPart of the III Army Corps
Engagements World War II
Commanders
Commander (1940)Major General A. Nijnatten

The 5th Division (5e Divisie) was an infantry division of the Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) that saw action during the Battle of the Netherlands in May 1940. It was mobilized shortly before the German invasion and was disbanded following the surrender of the Dutch forces.

Contents

History

The 5th Division was established in April 1940 as part of the general Dutch mobilization. Upon the outbreak of hostilities on May 10, 1940, the division was subordinated to the III Army Corps. It played a crucial role in defending the southern sector of the Dutch front and later in the defense of the Fortress Holland (Vesting Holland).

Combat Operations

At the start of the German invasion, the 5th Division was under the command of Major General Adrianus Nijnatten. [1] It was positioned in the area of the 'Peel Division' (Peel-Stellung). [2]

Order of Battle (May 1940)

The 5th Division was a standard infantry division of the Royal Netherlands Army. It was commanded by Major General A. Nijnatten [1] and was part of the III Corps (Netherlands) . [2] The structure of the division was as follows:

  • 5th Division Headquarters [2]
  • 3rd Transport Battalion (Bn) [2]
  • Sig Co (Signal Company) [2]
  • MP Co (Military Police Company) [2]
  • 9 AAMG Co (Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Company) [2]
  • 5 Eng Co (Engineer Company) [2]
  • 159 AAA Battery (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) [2]
  • Supply Regt [2]
  • 2nd Infantry Regiment (-) [2] (Regiment had units detached)
  • 13th Infantry Regiment (-) [2] (Regiment had units detached)
  • 17th Infantry Regiment (-) [2] (Regiment had units detached)
  • 3rd Artillery Regiment [2]
  • 5 Art Regt (Artillery Regiment) [2]
  • 6 Art Regt (Artillery Regiment) [2]
  • 3/1 AT Co (Anti-Tank Company) [2]
  • 2 AAMG Co (Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Company) [2]
  • 155 AA Bty (Anti-Aircraft Battery) [2]
  • 3 Eng Co (Engineer Company) [2]

References

  1. 1 2 Donnell, Clayton (2014). Fletcher, David (ed.). Fall Gelb 1940 (2): Airborne assault on the Low Countries. Campaign. Osprey Publishing. p. 33.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Thomas, Nigel (2014). Hitler's Blitzkrieg Enemies 1940: The Low Countries and Scandinavia. Men-at-Arms. Osprey Publishing. p. 18.
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