An Excellent WW2 Free Dutch Navy, Royal Netherland Navy Submarine Captain's Dress Belt 1930's Used in WW2

The service dress belt of a RNN submarine commander of the Royal Netherlands 'Free' Navy of WW2. Commander of a RNN U Boat, the Free Dutch Navy Submarine of WW2 HNLMS O 19 (N 54). Capt. Van Dongen. Luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Karel van Dongen, RNN 0 19, 3 Jul 1939 till 31 May 1941. On 10 May 1940, the day the Germans invaded the Netherlands, the entire mobilization was proclaimed in the Dutch colony. Most Dutch warships, including the O 19, were used to protect allied merchant ships and to patrol the Indonesian archipelago.
The submarine performed multiple patrols and missions in the Pacific theater of World War II, sinking multiple Japanese vessels, attacking shipping convoys and laying mines.
On 8 July 1945, O 19 was en route to Subic Bay in the Philippines at a speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) when it struck Ladd Reef in the South China Sea. Unable to pull free of the reef, the crew of O 19 were rescued by USS Cod. To prevent enemy capture, O 19 was scuttled by her crew using explosives, torpedoes and gunfire An example of the of the calibre of WW2 serving officers who were awarded such a highly respected decoration was the heroic Canadian born, Royal Air Force fighter pilot ace RUSSEL, F/O Blair Dalzell, DSO, DFC (C1319) -
Officer, Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords (Netherlands)
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 23 January 1948 and
AFRO 81/48 dated 6 February 1948.

Public Records Office Air 2/9293 has recommendation drafted when he was a Wing Commander: In operational command of No.126 Wing, Royal Air Force, stationed at the aerodrome Volkel from September 1944 until February until April 1945, through his excellent work has greatly contributed to the liberation of the Netherlands. During World War II, the Order of Orange-Nassau was bestowed upon both members of the Netherlands military and members of foreign services who had helped liberate the Netherlands from Nazi Germany occupation, and those who helped liberate the former Dutch colonies in the Pacific. In the modern age, the Orange-Nassau is still the most active military and civil decoration of the Netherlands, and ranks after the Order of the Netherlands Lion. The Order is typically awarded each year on the Queen's official birthday (April 30) The Order is also used to honour foreign princes, ministers, dignitaries and diplomats.
The Dutch Navy at the beginning of the war with Germany in May 1940, consisted of 1 coastal defence ship, 5 cruisers, 9 destroyers, 27 submarines, 4 gun boats, 6 minelayers and other smaller vessels. The Dutch Navy fought in many parts of sea like North Sea, Mediterranean and the Pacific sea where the Dutch navy had to defend the Dutch colonies from the Japanese advance.

Dutch naval forces had a contribution of sinking many enemy vessels, including 2 U-boats and also Japanese and even Italian submarines. But they also suffered many losses during the war, especially their submarine arm. They lost the coastal defence ship Soerabaja, the 3 cruisers De Ruyter, Java and Sumatra, 9 destroyers, 11 submarines and other smaller vessels. According to records the Royal Dutch Navy lost 59 warships during WWII [40%] Awarded to the Commander of a RNN U Boat, the Free Dutch Navy Submarine of WW2 HNMS O 19 (N 54)
Navy The Royal Dutch Navy
Type Submarine
Class O 19
Pennant N 54
Built by Wilton-Feijenoord (Schiedam, Holland)
Ordered
Laid down 15 Jun 1936
Launched 22 Sep 1938
Commissioned 3 Jul 1939
Lost 10 Jul 1945
Loss position 8? 40'N, 111? 40'E. We also havehis service medal group, for sale seperately

Code: 22581