Arma 53 : Jaarboek 2023 nummer 53 Stichting Koninklijke Defensiemusea

Abstract

The Netherlands Defence Museums, the National Military Museum in Soesterberg, the Navy Museum in Den Helder and the Marines Museum in Rotterdam jointly manage a vast collection of military heritage from the National Collection. Only a fraction of it can be exhibited. Arma provides a place for articles about the Collection items that are not on permanent display, as well as a platform for exchanging research results. Arma 53 starts with an article about the deployment of women from the KNIL (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army) Women’s Corps, a part of history that has as yet remained out of the spotlights. Then we shift our attention to research results, including pieces about the locations of various unusual arquebuses, archaeological studies into Batavian soldiers and their uniforms, the National Military Museum’s flags and banners project, and further information about various navy and army encounters domestically and abroad, based on items from the Collection. Additionally, several unusual acquisitions are highlighted, including the Chinook that has now been given a place in the NMM. In short: there’s plenty to enjoy for anyone with a sense of history, particularly if they’re interested in Dutch military heritage!