HNLMS Johan Maurits van Nassau
Encyclopedia
HNLMS Johan Maurits van Nassau, named after John Maurice of Nassau
, was a Dutch sloop that served in the early part of World War II
, when it was sunk. She was the sole ship of her class, which was developed from the earlier Flores-class
.
, she was stationed as a search and guard vessel at Vlissingen
, where she immediately was targeted by German aircraft, of which she shot down one. She remained in the area for a couple of days and was then ordered to bombard the Dutch aerodrome at Waalhaven
in Rotterdam
, which had been occupied by German paratroopers. She arrived in Hoek van Holland
, but after the loss of the destroyer Van Galen
during her attempt to do the same, the operation—of which Flores
was also part—was cancelled.
As part of the battle of the Afsluitdijk
, Maurits was ordered to Den Helder
on 12 May 1940, to silence a German battery near the Afsluitdijk
, and on 14 May, she bombarded the German battery (consisting of 88 mm (3.46 in) guns of the 1. Kavalleriedivision) at a range of about 18 km (11 mi) and silenced them. Her advanced fire control system enabled great accuracy. Despite fierce retaliation by German aircraft, she remained undamaged, to the great surprise of all.
The war in the Netherlands was, however, coming to an end, and the independent role of the Dutch Navy was over. There was a general evacuation of personnel and ships, and Johan Maurits van Nassau left Den Helder on 14 May with the minelayers , and , and the torpedo boats G 13 and G 15. In the afternoon, about 16 km (10 mi) west of Callantsoog
, they were attacked by German aircraft. Maurits—the largest vessel in the convoy—was the main target, and she received two or three hits, one of which caused a fire near an ammunition stack. The crew were ordered to abandon ship: eight crewmen were killed. Later, most surviving crewmembers were transported back to Den Helder by the rescue ship Dorus Rijkers, but some continued to England aboard the remaining ships.
The wreck lies in 20 m (65.6 ft) of water in position 52°50′13"N 4°33′56"E.
John Maurice of Nassau
John Maurice of Nassau was count and prince of Nassau-Siegen.He was born in Dillenburg...
, was a Dutch sloop that served in the early part of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when it was sunk. She was the sole ship of her class, which was developed from the earlier Flores-class
Flores class sloops
The Flores class sloops, HNLMS Flores and Soemba were gunboats in the Royal Netherlands Navy during World War II. They were in several ways the most successful surface ships of the Dutch navy during the war....
.
Service history
When the war broke out, Johan Maurits van Nassau was in the West Indies due to be relieved by the new gunnery training ship , allowing the Maurits to return to the Netherlands. On 10 May 1940, the day the Germans launched their blitzkriegBattle of the Netherlands
The Battle of the Netherlands was part of Case Yellow , the German invasion of the Low Countries and France during World War II. The battle lasted from 10 May 1940 until 14 May 1940 when the main Dutch forces surrendered...
, she was stationed as a search and guard vessel at Vlissingen
Flushing, Netherlands
Vlissingen is a municipality and a city in the southwestern Netherlands on the former island of Walcheren. With its strategic location between the Scheldt river and the North Sea, Vlissingen has been an important harbour for centuries. It was granted city rights in 1315. In the 17th century...
, where she immediately was targeted by German aircraft, of which she shot down one. She remained in the area for a couple of days and was then ordered to bombard the Dutch aerodrome at Waalhaven
Waalhaven
thumb|right|250px|Waalhaven Airport in 1932, with the [[LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin|Graf Zeppelin]] in the background.The Waalhaven is one of various harbours in the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and used to be home to an airport, Vliegveld Waalhaven . It was the first civilian airport in the...
in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, which had been occupied by German paratroopers. She arrived in Hoek van Holland
Hoek van Holland
The Hook of Holland , also known in English as the Hook, is a town in South Holland in the Netherlands. It is situated on the North Sea coast, on the north bank of the Nieuwe Waterweg ship canal. The town is administered by the municipality of Rotterdam as a district of that city...
, but after the loss of the destroyer Van Galen
Admiralen class destroyer
The Admiralen Class were eight destroyers built for the Royal Netherlands Navy between 1926 and 1931. All ships fought in World War II and were scuttled or sunk...
during her attempt to do the same, the operation—of which Flores
Flores class sloops
The Flores class sloops, HNLMS Flores and Soemba were gunboats in the Royal Netherlands Navy during World War II. They were in several ways the most successful surface ships of the Dutch navy during the war....
was also part—was cancelled.
As part of the battle of the Afsluitdijk
Battle of the Afsluitdijk
The Battle of the Afsluitdijk was an unsuccessful attempt by the German Heer to seize the Afsluitdijk in May 1940, during World War II. If the Germans had taken the dyke, they could have taken North-Holland from its north...
, Maurits was ordered to Den Helder
Den Helder
Den Helder is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Den Helder occupies the northernmost point of the North Holland peninsula...
on 12 May 1940, to silence a German battery near the Afsluitdijk
Afsluitdijk
The Afsluitdijk is a major causeway in the Netherlands, constructed between 1927 and 1933 and running from Den Oever on Wieringen in North Holland province, to the village of Zurich in Friesland province, over a length of and a width of 90 m, at an initial height of 7.25 m above sea-level.It is...
, and on 14 May, she bombarded the German battery (consisting of 88 mm (3.46 in) guns of the 1. Kavalleriedivision) at a range of about 18 km (11 mi) and silenced them. Her advanced fire control system enabled great accuracy. Despite fierce retaliation by German aircraft, she remained undamaged, to the great surprise of all.
The war in the Netherlands was, however, coming to an end, and the independent role of the Dutch Navy was over. There was a general evacuation of personnel and ships, and Johan Maurits van Nassau left Den Helder on 14 May with the minelayers , and , and the torpedo boats G 13 and G 15. In the afternoon, about 16 km (10 mi) west of Callantsoog
Callantsoog
Callantsoog is a town in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Zijpe, and lies about 13 km south of Den Helder...
, they were attacked by German aircraft. Maurits—the largest vessel in the convoy—was the main target, and she received two or three hits, one of which caused a fire near an ammunition stack. The crew were ordered to abandon ship: eight crewmen were killed. Later, most surviving crewmembers were transported back to Den Helder by the rescue ship Dorus Rijkers, but some continued to England aboard the remaining ships.
The wreck lies in 20 m (65.6 ft) of water in position 52°50′13"N 4°33′56"E.