The Dutch Field Army contained 130,000 active officers and men, 45,000 reservists, 40,000 territorials, 20,000 border and coastal guards, and 75,000 home army depot and training troops, for a total of just over 300,000 officers and men.

The active troops formed the husar regiments (both cavalry and motorcycle), the antiaircraft regiments, the armored units, the 1st through 15th and 24th Artillery Regiments, and the 1st and 2nd Bicycle Regiments, as well as twenty-four infantry regiments. The "Grenadier", "Jager", and 1st through 22nd Infantry Regiments were formed into eight infantry divisions. The active infantry regiments contained three infantry battalions, each of three companies (twelve LMG each) and a heavy machinegun company (twelve HMG).

The active infantry regiment also contained an infantry gun company (four 60mm guns), a motorized antitank company (nine 47mm anti-tank guns Austrian Boehler M-31 - and six LMG), and a heavy mortar company (six 81mm mortars - French Brandt). Independent of the infantry regiments, the active divisions also contained a divisional heavy machinegun company (twelve HMG) and a divisional motorized anti-tank battalion, of three companies (six 47mm anti-tank guns, six LMG).

The two bicycle infantry regiments of the "Light" Division were organized with three bicycle battalions of three bicycle companies (nine LMG) and a motorcyclemounted machinegun company (six HMG). Additionally, the bicycle regiment included a motorized anti-tank company (twelve 37mm antitank guns - German Pak 36).

The reserve troops formed the 16th through 23rd Artillery Regiments (note: there were no 20th and 21st Artillery Regiments) and twelve infantry regiments. The 23rd through 34th Infantry Regiments were formed into four reserve divisions. These reserve division organizations did not participate in the defense of the Netherlands as divisions; instead, their units were split up among the various area commands. I suspect however that Division "Peel" and Brigades "A", "B", and "G" were formed from these command staffs.

The reserve infantry regiments contained three infantry battalions, each of three infantry companies (twelve LMG each) and a heavy machinegun company (twelve HMG). The reserve infantry regiment also contained an anti-tank company (six 47mm anti-tank guns) and a mortar company (six 81mm mortars). (Note: These units were not motorized, and the reserve regiments contained no infantry gun companies.) Independent of the reserve infantry regiments, the reserve divisions also contained a divisional motorized anti-tank battalion of three companies (six 47mm anti-tank guns, six LMG), a divisional heavy machinegun company (12 HMG), and a divisional bicycle infantry company (six LMG).

The territorial troops formed twelve independent infantry regiments (the 35th through 46th). These regiments were organized exactly the same as the reserve infantry regiments, only in this case there were no additional divisional units formed of territorial troops.

The home army and training troops formed depot regiments corresponding to each of the active infantry, artillery, and husar regiments. Additionally, there were motorized engineer troops and coastal artillery depot regiments. These units, intended for training and the furnishing of replacements to the active, reserve, and territorial units, took no real part in the defense of the Netherlands.

One exception was the 14th Depot Battalion, which was used as a combat expediency against the German parachute and air landing force holding the Ypenburg airfield, with little result until it was reinforced with active infantry combat troops.

The border guards were formed into twenty independent battalions (each with about 500 men). The border battalions contained three border infantry companies (twelve LMG each), a heavy machinegun company (twelve HMG), and a motorized weapons company (six 47mm anti-tank guns, six 81mm mortars).

More The Dutch Army 1940

Dutch Defense Plan
Infantry
Armor
Cavalry, AA, Artillery
Air Force
Order of Battle: May 10, 1940