KNIL facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger
Royal Netherlands East Indies Army coat of arms
Established	14 September 1814
Disbanded	26 July 1950 (1951 Colonial Reserve disbanded)
Headquarters	Bandung, Dutch East Indies

KNIL is a short name for a Dutch army. This army was based in what is now called Indonesia. Its full name was Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger. This means 'Royal Dutch-East Indies Army'.

What Was the KNIL?

The KNIL was created by a royal order on September 14, 1814. It was not part of the main Royal Netherlands Army. Instead, it was a separate army. It was made specifically to serve in the Netherlands East Indies. This army was formed when the Dutch wanted to control more land. They expanded their rule far beyond their earlier areas.

A Colony in Southeast Asia

Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands. This period lasted from 1800 to 1949. During this time, it was known as Nederlandsch Indië (Dutch East Indies). The KNIL's main job was to keep order in this colony.

KNIL's Role and Battles

The KNIL fought in many battles. They often fought against local groups. Some of these conflicts include:

• The Padri War (1821–1845)
• The Java War (1825–1830)
• Ending resistance in Bali in 1849
• The long Aceh War (1873–1904)

The KNIL also took part in World War II.

The End of the KNIL

Indonesia declared its independence in 1945. The Dutch then fought a war to keep control of their colony. However, the Indonesians won this war. In 1949, the Dutch government accepted Indonesia's independence. Because of this, the KNIL was officially ended.

When the KNIL was disbanded, it had 65,000 soldiers. About 26,000 of these soldiers joined the new Indonesian Army. The rest of the soldiers either left the army or moved to the Netherlands Army.

Images for kids

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  Poster for recruitment for the KNIL. 1938

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  Home Guard poster (1941)

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  Recruitment poster - Versterkt onze gelederen! (1944)

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  Isaac Israëls, Het transport der kolonialen (Transport of the Colonial Soldiers), showing recruits for the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army marching through Rotterdam to their transport to the Dutch East Indies

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  Cavalry of the Royal Dutch East Indies Army in 1906 during the Dutch intervention in Bali (1906)

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  Paratroopers are being prepared for an action (1948)

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  Decorated indigenous KNIL soldiers, 1927

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  Indigenous KNIL troops, 1938

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  The Vickers light amphibious tank was used by Dutch forces in the East Indies.

See also

In Spanish: Real Ejército de las Indias Orientales Neerlandesas para niños