1st Division (Netherlands)
The 1st Division was a military formation of the Royal Netherlands Army that was mobilized in April 1940 and saw action during the Battle of the Netherlands in May 1940.
It was one of the four principal infantry divisions of the Field Army and was primarily tasked with the defence of the Fortress Holland.
Organisation (May 10, 1940)
Upon the German invasion on May 10, 1940, the 1st Division was part of the I Army Corps. The division was commanded by Major General M. Bent.The structure of the division was as follows:
Divisional Troops
- Division Headquarters
- Cyclist Company 1st Division
- 1st Light Armoured Car Troop
- 1st Signals Battalion
- 1st Supply Battalion
Infantry Regiments
3rd Infantry Regiment 19th Infantry Regiment- ''21st Infantry Regiment''
Artillery Regiments
1st Artillery Regiment 1st Anti-Tank Company- ''1st Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Company''
Detached Units
Prior to the start of the battle, several units were detached from the division for specific duties, including:- III Battalion, Regiment Grenadiers to Commando Luchtverdediging
- III Battalion, Regiment Jagers to Waalhaven Airfield
- 1st Pioneer Company to Groep Merwede
- Anti-aircraft units to the Rotterdam / 's Gravenhage Air Defence Circle and Stelling Den Helder
Commanders
- Major General M. Bent