The Dutch Naval Aviation Service (Dutch: Marine-Luchtvaartdienst; MLD) is the naval aviation branch of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Naval aviation is the application of manned military air power by the navies of the world such as those operated by the United States Navy. ... Royal Netherlands Navy Jack The Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy ) is the navy of the Netherlands. ...

Although the MLD was formed in 1914, with the building of a seaplane base at De Mok, it developed slowly in the inter-war years due to limited budget. After graduation of first pilot group in 1915, on August 18, 1917, the MLD was founded under official decree and the De Mok became the main base. At this time, the emphasis was on seaplane operations in the Dutch East Indies where Dornier Wal aircraft enabled patrols of the large archipelago in 1926. The perceived threat from Nazi Germany in the 1930s accelerated development of air capability and the purchase of new equipment. 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Dutch East Indies, or Netherlands East Indies, (Dutch: Nederlands-Indië) was the name of the colonies set up by the Dutch East India Company, which came under administration of the Netherlands during the 19th century (see Indonesia). ... The Dornier Do J was a twin-engine German seaplane of the 1920s. ...

The German invasion of the Netherlands on May 10, 1940 rapidly overwhelmed Dutch resistance and the MLD aircraft were redeployed to France before the Dutch formally surrendered on 15 May. Shortly after, the MLD was ordered to Britain, where Dutch personnel formed No.320 squadron, RAF Coastal Command, in June 1940. A second squadron, No.321 squadron, was also formed but later merged with No 320. Other MLD personnel served on MAC ships as Fleet Air Arm 860 and 861 squadrons, flying Fairey Swordfish. Combatants Kingdom of the Netherlands Germany Commanders Henry G. Winkelman, Jan Joseph Godfried baron van Voorst tot Voorst Fedor von Bock (Army Group B) Strength 9 divisions, 676 guns, 1 tank (inoperational), 124 aircraft Total: 350,000 men 22 divisions, 1,378 guns, 759 tanks, 1150 aircraft Total: 750,000... Merchant aircraft carriers (MAC) were minimal aircraft carriers used during World War II by Great Britain and Holland as an emergency measure until the United States-built escort carriers became available. ... The Fleet Air Arm is the operational group of the Royal Navy responsible for the operation of the aircraft on board their ships. ... Fairey Swordfish The Fairey Swordfish was a torpedo bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company and used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during World War II. Affectionately known as the Stringbag by its crews, it was outdated by 1939, but achieved some spectacular successes during the...

At this time, efforts were made to strengthen the MLD in the Dutch East Indies, but when the Japanese invaded, they had to withdraw to Australia. RAF 321 squadron was reformed in Ceylon with ex-NEI Catalinas. The Dutch East Indies, or Netherlands East Indies, (Dutch: Nederlands-Indië) was the name of the colonies set up by the Dutch East India Company, which came under administration of the Netherlands during the 19th century (see Indonesia). ...

The Royal Netherlands Military Flying School was established at Jackson Field, Mississippi, operating lend-lease aircraft, training all military aircrew for the Netherlands. The intention was to return to the Netherlands and to participate in the war against Japan. After liberation, the main MLD base was established at Valkenburg, with De Kooy as the overhaul and repair base. Valkenburg aan de Geul - a town in the Netherlands. ... De Kooy is an airport in Den Helder, the Netherlands. ...

The British escort aircraft carrier HMS Nairana was obtained on a two year loan from the Royal Navy and renamed HNLMS Karel Doorman. In March 1948 a light fleet carrier, HMS Venerable (R63), was purchased from the Royal Navy to replace the loaned one, and also renamed Karel Doorman. The escort aircraft carrier or escort carrier, was a small aircraft carrier developed by the Royal Navy in the early part of World War II to deal with the U-boat crisis of the Battle of the Atlantic. ... There have been two ships with this name. ... Three ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy have been named HNLMS Karel Doorman after Admiral Karel Doorman: The first Karel Doorman (QH1), originally escort carrier HMS Nairana, was the Netherlands first aircraft carrier. ... HMS Venerable (R63) was a Colossus-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy. ...

The main roles of the MLD were maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue. From 1953, with the creation of NATO, the MLD received substantial aid from the USA, including PV-2 Harpoon, P2V Neptune and TBF Avenger aircraft. Lockheed PV-1 Ventura The Lockheed Ventura was a bomber and patrol aircraft of World War II, used by American and British forces in several guises. ... P2V-2 Neptune over NAS Jacksonville, 1953 P2V-7 Neptune of Patrol Squadron Seven (VP-7) over the Atlantic in 1954 The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (until 1963 the P2V Neptune) was a naval patrol bomber and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft for the United States Navy between 1947 and... Grumman TBF Avengers in 1942 The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) was an American torpedo bomber, developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and used by a large number of air forces around the world. ...

In the late 1960s, the aircraft carrier was replaced in the anti-submarine role by a squadron of Westland Wasp helicopters operated from anti-submarine frigates. These helicopters were replaced by Westland Lynxs and these will be replaced themselves by NH-90 helicopters. Anti-submarine warfare is a term referring to warfare directed against submarines. ... Westland Wasp The Westland Wasp was a general purpose helicopter, basically a derivative of the British Army Scout helicopter, with the requirement of being small enough to land on Royal Navy frigates. ... The Bell 206 of Canadian Helicopters Robinson Helicopter Company (USA) R44, a four seat development of the R22 A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors consisting of two or more rotor blades. ... The Westland Lynx is a helicopter designed by Westland and built at Westlands factory in Yeovil, first flying on 21 March 1971 as the Westland WG.13. ... The NHI NH90 is a twin-engine, ten-ton multi-role helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries, a company established by Agusta, Eurocopter and Stork Fokker Aerospace. ...

References

John Hayles, 1996-1998, Netherlands Naval Aviation History