A look at the Defence news 3 – 9 April
On 2 April, Captain Leo Hendrikx (ret'd) passed away at the age of 99. Leo was one of the last Engelandvaarders still alive.
Engelandvaarders ('England Farers') is the name used for the Dutch men and women who managed to escape to England to join the Allied forces during the Second World War. He was also the oldest living Royal Netherlands Air Force pilot who saw action in the Second World War.
Royal Netherlands Navy seizes over 2,200 kilos of cocaine from smugglers
HNLMS Holland seized over 2,200 kilos of cocaine in mid-March. That was the result of four interceptions in the Caribbean, carried out between 10 and 13 March. This was announced only last week.
Netherlands to deploy 150 service members to the Balkans
The Netherlands is to deploy a maximum of 150 members of the Marine Corps to Bosnia and Herzegovina for 1 year. In addition, a maximum of 10 service members will deploy to the area to gather intelligence. This intelligence will make it possible to monitor the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina more effectively.