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

- 430-
DEMOBILISATION
The attempted revolution and Annistice spurred the government into hastening its
demobilisation plans. The cessation of hostilities decreased the possible threats to security
and neutrality substantially, while the revolution indicated the potential dangers of keeping
disgruntled men in service without good reason. Three days before the Armistice, the
government signalled its intentions by announcing a little over 13 per cent of troops would
be sent on long-tenn leave as soon as possible. At the time, it caused serious concerns
among military commanders, especially at the borders, where guards were stretched to meet
the demands of incoming refugees and internees, and in the major cities, where troops kept
an eye on public umest. 125 After 11 November, however, many hoped for an urgent return
to peace conditions.
The "revolution" complicated the demobilisation process, yet also intensified it so
that all military intakes from year 1916 and earlier (including landstorm and landweer
intakes from that year and earlier) went on indefinite leave between 14 and 19 November,
except for a skeleton staff retained for necessary duties. 126 Extensive plans existed for a
carefully organised demobilisation process, 127 but in the chaos many regulations were not
implemented. Much of the early demobilisation was haphazard: many troops demobilised,
others were sent to the cities for counter-revolutionary tasks, while the rest remained at the
borders and in administrative postS. 128 In early December, the return of troops, their
equipment and the dismantling of camp sites could begin in earnest, although it continued
to cause problems as the initial administrative steps were neglected. 129
125 Commander-in-Chiefto Commander of the Field Army, 9 November 1918; Commander Fortified Position of
Amsterdam to Commander-in-Chief, 9 November 1918, both in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star' entry no.
2.13.70, inventory no. 808.
126 Commander of the Field Army to military authorities, 12 November 1918; Commander Cavalry Brigade, "Verslag
van de demobilisatie van de Caval erie-Brigade" [Report of the demobilisation of the cavalry brigade] no date, both in
ARA, "Archief van het Hoofdkwartier Veldleger" entry no. 2.l3 .16, inventory no. 312; Uijterschout, Beknopt
Overzicht p. 450.
127 Commander-in-Chief, Regeling van de Demobi/isatie. [Regulations for demobilisation] The Hague: Algemeene
Landsdrukkerij, 1918; Isselt, "De geest" p. 153.
128 Commander Division III, "Verslag van de demobilisatie bedoeld in no. 43 'Regeling van de demobilisatie'"
[Report of the demobilisation meant in no. 43 'Demobilisation regulations'] 14 January 1920; Commander 2
Regiment Hussars to Commander Division III, 24 November 1919, both in ARA, "Archiefvan het Hoofdkwartier
Veldleger" entry no. 2.13.16, inventory no. 312.
129 Commander 13 RI to Commander II - lB, 25 November 1919, in ARA, "Archiefvan het Hoofdkwartier
Veldleger" entry no. 2.13.16,inventory no. 312.