Netherlands Marine Corps

The Korps Mariniers is the marine corps of the Netherlands, and is part of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Dutch Marines Corps is a highly disciplined force trained to operate anywhere in the world, under any conditions. Its motto is Qua Patet Orbis, which means Wherever the World Extends.

Contents

1 History 2 Structure 2.1 Marine Battalions 2.2 Combat Support Battalion 2.3 Logistical Battalion 2.4 Amphibian Support Battalion 3 United Kingdom/Netherlands Landing Force

History

The Corps was founded on 10 December 1665 by the unofficial leader of the republic Johan de Witt and Admiral Michiel de Ruyter.

It is claimed that the Netherlands Marine Corps is the second oldest military unit in the world that is still in existence (after the Vatican's Swiss Guard).

The Corps celebrates its birthday each year at the Oostplein (lit., East Square) in Rotterdam, where the dead of the Corps are remembered.

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Structure

All operational units of the Netherlands Marine Corps fall under the Group Operational Units Marines (GOEM).

The GOEM contains 4 Marine Battalions (MARNSBATs), the Combat Support Battalion (GEVSTBAT), the Logistical Battalion (LOGBAT), the Amphibian Support Battalion (AMFOSTBAT), and the Battle Casualty Replacements (BCRs).

Marine Battalions

The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps has 4 operational Marine Battalions. Two of those (1MARNSBAT and 2MARNSBAT) are stationed in the Netherlands. The 3rd Marine Battalion (3MARNSBAT) is mobilisable and normally inactive. The 4th Marine Battalion (4MARNSBAT or MARNS CARIB) is stationed in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

1MARNSBAT is the main contribution of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps to the United Kingdom/Netherlands Landing Force (UK/NL LF). 2MARNSBAT is the core of the Dutch contribution to the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land) (AMF(L)), a fast intervention force of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). 2MARNSBAT regularly particiaptes in United Nations missions or other international operations.

4MARNSBAT (or MARNS CARIB) is sometimes mistakenly called the 3rd battalion, because of the inactivity of the actual 3rd battalion, and because of its different designation (MARNS CARIB). MARNS CARIB is under direct command of the Navy Commander of the Caribbean (CZMCARIB), instead of the normal GOEM Commander of the Marines.

Combat Support Battalion

The Combat Support Battalion (GEVSTBAT) exists to provide (combat) support to the Marine Battalions, by using heavy weapons or trained specialists.

GEVSTBAT contains two 120mm Mortar Companies (MRCIE1 and MRCIE2), an Air Defense Platoon (TLPEL), and an Engineer Reconnaisance Platoon (GNPEL).

GEVSTBAT also contains Special Forces (SF) units of the Dutch Marine Corps. These units are:

• Special Support Unit Marines (Bijzondere Bijstands Eenheid or BBE) (a Counter-terrorism unit);
• Amphibian Reconnaisance Platoon (AMFVERKPEL) (combat divers);
• Mountain Leader Reconnaisance Platoon (MLVERKPE) (mountain and cold weather specialists).

GEVSTBAT also provides the necessary means to create the Long Distance Reconnaisance Company (LAVERCIE). LAVERCIE, when combined with the Commando Corps of the Royal Netherlands Army, forms the Netherlands' Special Operations Forces (NL SOF). NL SOF contains units from AMFVERKPEL, MLVERKPEL, and the BBE.

Logistical Battalion

To operate succesfully, the Marine Battalions need logistical support. This basically means providing transportation, supplies, food, housing, and mental and medical care. When the GOEM was created, the Logistical Battalion (LOGBAT) was created with it for this reason. It has 3 tasks:

• Maintaining the units of the Group Operational Units Marines;
• Provide housing for the Group Operational Units Marines;
• Provide the Group Operational Units Marines with the possibility to train and better themselves, to perform their tasks.

LOGBAT contains 3 companies to perform a variety of tasks. The Logistical Company (LOGCIE), the Medical Company (GNKCIE), and the Transport Company (TCIE).

LOGCIE is responsible for maintaining supplies, distributing supplies among combat units, providing communication possibilities, and handling administration. It is divided in 5 platoons:

• Supply Platoon (BEVOPEL);
• Maintenance Platoon (ONDERHPEL);
• Clothing and Food Platoon (KLEVOPEL);
• Administration Platoon (ADMINPEL);
• Communications Platoon (VBDPEL).

GNKCIE is responsible for providing medical and mental care to GOEM units. The company contains an infirmary, a Field Dressing Station (FDS), and an environmental health / workplace safety section. The FDS is a mobile field hospital similar to the United States Military combat support hospital. It is able to provide full surgical capabilities and is set up in a small amount of time.

TCIE's task is to provide and maintain the mobility required by any GOEM units. It contains 3 platoons:

• Transportation Platoon;
• Workshop Platoon;
• Support Echelon Platoon.

Amphibian Support Battalion

The Amphibian Support Battalion (AMFOSTBAT) contains all amphibious landing craft as well as the Amphibious Beach Unit. It has 2 companies, the 1st Boat Company, and the 2nd Boat Company.

United Kingdom/Netherlands Landing Force

Since 1973, units of the Netherlands Marine Corps have formed part of the British 3 Commando Brigade during exercises and real conflict situations. Together, these form the UK/NL Landing Force. Either the First or the Second Marine Battalion can be assigned as the Dutch contribution to this force.

The cooperation between the RNLMC and the British Royal Marines has led to extensive integration in the areas of operations, logistics and materials. Within NATO this is seen as a prime example of what can be achieved in military integration.

The RNLMC and Royal Marines have a long history of cooperation. During combined actions by the British and Dutch navies during the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713), amphibious operations were carried out, the most notable being the Siege of Gibraltar in 1704. During this action, a successful attack was carried out against the fortress of Gibraltar by an 1800-strong brigade of Dutch and British Marines under the command of Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt. Both corps share this battle honour.nl:Korps Mariniers no:Nederlandse Korps Mariniers