Explanation of summaries of past missions

Each summary of a past mission includes a number of key facts: the mission name, the duration of the mission, the number of military personnel who took part in the mission, the number of fatalities, and the number of decorations awarded.

• This overview is limited to the international peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid operations conducted after 1945 in which the Netherlands armed forces took part. The overview is updated periodically.
• The summaries of past missions use the English names of missions as used by the UN and other international organisations.
• The duration of the mission is the period in which Dutch military personnel participated in the mission. The start date is the day of arrival of Dutch military personnel in the area of operations (with the exception of earlier reconnaissance). The end date is the date of departure of the last Dutch servicemen or women from the area of operations.
• The number of military personnel refers solely to Dutch military personnel who took part in the mission. The number of deployments of  servicemen or women who were deployed several times to the same mission are also included in the number. In other words, it is about the number of manned positions in the mission area. Those on working visits who remain in the mission area for fewer than 30 days are not included in the total number.
• The number of fatalities refers solely to Dutch military personnel who were killed in action, suffered a fatal accident, committed suicide or died as a result of illness during the mission.
• The number of decorations awarded is self-explanatory and refers specifically to award of the Military Order of William, the Bronze Lion, the Bronze Cross, the Cross of Merit or the Flying Cross in recognition of actions carried out during the mission.
• The summaries of past missions are compiled under the responsibility of the Netherlands Institute of Military History (NIMH) and are published on www.defensie.nl/english. The views and opinions expressed in these texts do not necessarily reflect the views of the Minister of Defence.
• The NIMH has endeavoured to trace all copyright owners of photographic material used. Should persons or organisations wish to contend that copyright ownership has not been honoured, they should contact the NIMH.  
• Summaries may be used in whole or in part by third parties on condition that reference is made to the source. The same applies to photographs and illustrations of which the Netherlands Ministry of Defence or the NIMH are the copyright owners. If copyright ownership lies with a third party, please contact the relevant person or organisation. If in doubt, contact the NIMH.