Light Division (Netherlands)


The Light Division was a military formation of the Royal Netherlands Army that was mobilized in April 1940. It was the only fully motorized/cavalry division available to the Dutch forces and was designed for rapid deployment, though it was structurally incomplete.
The division was used to secure the exposed flanks of the Field Army in North Brabant and later saw heavy action as the Dutch tried to contain the German breakthrough.

Organisation (May 10, 1940)

The division was commanded by Major General H.F.M. Baron van Voorst tot Voorst.
Due to a recent reorganization on May 1, 1940, all horses were removed, and the division was fully converted to use bicycles, motorcycles, and trucks. Many battalions were incomplete in terms of personnel and equipment.

Subordinate Regiments and Squadrons

1st Regiment Cyclists 2nd Regiment Cyclists 2nd Regiment Motorized Hussars – Only two squadrons instead of three.Machine Gun Squadron – Newly formed, equipped with Vickers M.18 heavy machine guns.5th Regiment Hussars – Formed from remnants of the dissolved cavalry units.

Divisional Troops

Korps Rijdende Artillerie – Fully motorized.Light Anti-Tank Company Light Pioneer Company Light Signals Company Separate Staff – A second staff used when the division was split into two elements.

Detached Units

Due to its composition, many sub-units were detached to other commands:1st Armoured Car Squadron – Detached to Ypenburg and Schiphol Airfields.2nd Armoured Car Squadron – Detached to the 1st and 4th Hussar Regiments.1st Regiment Motorized Hussars – Detached to Fortress Holland.

Commanders

  • Major General H.F.M. Baron van Voorst tot Voorst