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Hr.Ms. Johan Maurits van Nassau: Dutch Navy Gunboat in WWII
The Hr.Ms. Johan Maurits van Nassau was a Dutch Navy gunboat that played a significant role in the defense of the Netherlands during World War II. Commissioned in 1938, the ship was named after Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen, a 17th-century governor-general of Dutch Brazil. The Johan Maurits van Nassau was a relatively small vessel, displacing only 540 tons, but it was armed with a powerful 4.7-inch gun and several smaller cannons. The ship was also equipped with torpedo tubes and depth charges.
When Germany invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940, the Johan Maurits van Nassau was stationed at the naval base at Den Helder. The ship was immediately deployed to defend the Dutch coast against the German advance. The Johan Maurits van Nassau fought bravely, engaging in several skirmishes with German warships and aircraft. The ship's crew suffered several casualties, but they continued to fight until they were forced to surrender on May 14, 1940.
After the surrender of the Netherlands, the Johan Maurits van Nassau was captured by the Germans and pressed into service in the Kriegsmarine. The ship was renamed the F-20 and used as a patrol boat in the North Sea. The Johan Maurits van Nassau was sunk by a British air attack in 1944. The ship was raised by the Germans and repaired, but it never saw action again.
The Johan Maurits van Nassau's Legacy
The Johan Maurits van Nassau was a small ship, but it played a significant role in the defense of the Netherlands during World War II. The ship's crew fought bravely against overwhelming odds, and their courage and sacrifice should be remembered. The Johan Maurits van Nassau is a reminder of the sacrifices that were made by the Dutch people during the war.
The Johan Maurits van Nassau in Popular Culture
The Johan Maurits van Nassau has been featured in several books and documentaries about World War II. The ship is also featured in the popular video game World of Warships.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 540 tons |
| Length | 202 feet |
| Beam | 32 feet |
| Draft | 9 feet |
| Speed | 18 knots |
| Range | 1,500 nautical miles |
| Armament | 1 x 4.7-inch gun, 2 x 40mm guns, 2 x 20mm guns, 2 x torpedo tubes, depth charges |
| Crew | 60 |