World War I

The First World War (1914 1918)

There were hundreds of thousands of Dutch men under arms during the First World War. The armys function was to preserve neutrality. But it was also called on to combat smuggling and to guard internment camps. Despite all these tasks, boredom was a major enemy.
The army chiefs did everything in their powers to remain up to date. Trench warfare had brought with it many types of innovation. Some examples are: the introduction of the steel helmet, the gas mask, the flame thrower, trenches and aircraft used for military purposes. The Dutch army also adopted the formation of storm troops, soldiers specially trained to force a breakthrough in enemy trench lines. During the war the Netherlands did not have the financial means to adopt one of the most remarkable innovations: the tank.
The poverty that was a consequence of the war led to social unrest. The army was often used to put down these protests, such as occurred during the Amsterdam Potato Riot of 1917.