Between the devil and the deep blue sea - University of Canterbury

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Like dogs and horses, the Army also requisitioned all types of vehicles, carts and
automobiles from civilians during the mobilisation. The seizure of most of the vehicles had
been organised years earlier, when cart, carriage, cycle and barrow owners signed contracts
with the military for use of their transportation in time of need. 164 Many civilians, however,
did not honour their contracts on 1 August, causing considerable chaos and necessitating
the payment of exorbitant prices. 165 Although automobiles were in use throughout the
Netherlands by 1914, no plans existed for their systematic use within military plans.
Nevertheless, during August, over 500 automobiles but only ten trucks and a few
motorcycles were commandeered. 166 From October onwards, all remaining civilian cars and
trucks were registered at local municipal offices in case of future military need. 167 The
results of the registration process showed that 200 trucks had been available in August 1914
for requisitioning, if the proper administration had been in place to organise this. 168 Two
volunteer corps - the Voluntary Military Automobile Corps and Voluntary Military
Motorcycle Corps - profited most from the requisitioning. Both corps expanded in August
1914 allowing civilians who knew how to drive to join. They would spend much of the war
chauffeuring military personnel and delivering goods and messages. 169 By 1918, the two
corps had become quite professional including soldiers with driving experience,
experienced mechanics and technicians. The corps acquired new automobiles, mainly from
outside the country, including 369 trucks, 62 trailers and 107 cars. 170
The recently mobilised forces had much to do before making the country
defensible. They had to dig trenches, ready fortifications, remove obstacles, and maximise
strategically significant positions. In many places, they had to chop down trees, empty (and,
at times, destroy) houses, take over fields as training grounds, and block roads. They
164 Munnekrede, "De mobilisatie van de landmacht" pp. 12 - 13.
165 "Schets voor het, door het Departement van Oorlog openbaar te maken Mobilisatie-rapport" in SMG/DC,
"Mobilisatieverslag" 91A/3, no page numbers, section "G. Ret op voet van om'log brengen van het veldleger";
Munnekrede, "De mobilisatie van de landmacht" pp 13 - 16.
166 Munnekrede, "De mobilisatie van de landmacht" p. 21.
167 "Opgave omtrent motorrijtuigen, andere dan motorrijwielen en electromobielen aanwezig in de Gemeente
Dordrecht" [List of motor vehicles, other than motorcycles and "electro" -vehicles present in the Municipality
Dordrecht] 22 October 1914, in SAD, "Stadsarchief 1851 - 1980" archive no. 6, inventory no. 5472; Utrecht en de
Oorlogstoestand p. 18.
168 Staatscommissie, Waarnemingen bi} de Gemobiliseerde Landmacht p. 19.
169 Ibid. p. 15; Munnekrede, "De mobilisatie van de landmacht" pp. 20, 22; Bosboom, In Moeili}ke Omstandigheden
p.31.
170 Bosboom, In Moeili}ke Omstandigheden p. 143.