The last time the Dutch Navy sank an enemy vessel was on this day in 1962. During the Battle of Vlakke Hoek in the Arafura Sea, the destroyer HNLMS Evertsen sank the Indonesian torpedo boat Matjan Tutul as it attempted to land troops in Dutch New Guinea.

Sorry America, but this can be done much better.

I read Philippe Sands – The Ratline (2020). The book shows how Nazi criminals managed to escape after the war. Through the story of Otto Wächter (Governor of Galicia), Sands weaves personal narratives with larger questions of guilt, justice, and memory. A powerful read.

On this day in 1842 Dr William Brydon a surgeon in the British East India Company Army reached Jalalabad as the sole survivor of a force of 4,500 soldiers & 12,000 camp followers after the retreat from Kabul in the First Anglo Afghan War. Others would later learn Afghanistan can not be subdued.

Operation CHOPPER. On this day in 1962, the first American helicopter assault of the Vietnam War took place. It was also the first time U.S. forces participated in major combat in the war

Every time Wheeler Dealers has restored a car, I experience an intense feeling of happiness. A feeling that is immediately ruined by the ridiculously low price Mike Brewer asks for the refurbished car. Was he really a car salesman in the past?

New car. A little snow won’t slow me down.

Farewell, my faithful friend. Since 2017, you greeted each morning with the comfort of perfect coffee. Now the time has come to part ways.

In 2005, the Dutch Minister of Defence Henk Kamp visited Uganda. He received a large wooden gorilla from his Ugandan counterpart. I saw a Ugandan assistant proudly write the minister’s name on it, and he surely meant nothing by it. 😬 It’s now standing next to my desk.

I strongly doubt the quality of current history education.🤔

The EU is doomed? Not really.🇪🇺

Sprekend!

I’m not saying it’s cold in The Hague, but Roald Amundsen just passed by asking for directions to the South Pole. ❄️

Angry at the free riders in our country and in Europe who for years believed that deep cuts could be made to defence. Look at the situation we now find ourselves in. It will still take us years to get our defence back in order.

I didn’t know that Trump’s brother is a Flemish singer.

Heading to the office for my first workday of the year.🫤

How did nobody tell me that Lando Norris is in Stranger Things season 5?

When you ask ChatGPT for a Bayeux-style tapestry of the invasion… who wouldn’t hang this in their living room?

Back in a cold The Netherlands. My holiday on Gran Canaria is over. This beautiful island is truly a paradise. Wonderful climate, stunning nature, friendly people, rich history, and great infrastructure. Send thoughts and prayers. 😅

Direct fire with a 120 mm mortar? Because why not? In 1977, the Dutch Army conducted an experiment mounting a 120 mm mortar on the carriage of an 25-pounder gun. Normally, a mortar fires indirectly with a high-arcing trajectory. They wanted to find out what the effect would be when firing directly.

May I please have a Centurion tank simulator in my garden? (1966)

Top of the Pops of Greek Mythology! Finished Mythos by Stephen Fry. A delightful dive into Greek mythology: sharp, witty, and surprisingly accessible. A joy to read.

We did Los Azulejos de Veneguera and Puerto de Mogan today. Nice part of Gran Canaria.🌞

Had a great morning at the remains of Batería de Arinaga on Gran Canaria. It was built in 1941 because Franco expected an Allied invasion. The battery includes bunkers, artillery platforms, observation posts, and a network of underground tunnels inside the mountain.

Today’s airsoft scene at Gran Canaria looked like a museum of old Spanish army hardware.😬

Didn’t know Gran Canaria had a metal scene. Neither did the audience.😳

The amount of hate and disinformation about the European Union that is being spread en masse on X these days proves Ursula von der Leyen right. Organized hostile forces are only seeking to destabilize the EU under the guise of freedom of expression. They fear us.

Always keep things tidy.

This is what remains of the Fokker F-27-500 Friendship (EC-GYM) of Seven Air. It was broken up in 2011. Today, it is part of an airsoft theme park on Gran Canaria.😢

Good grief, what have I gotten myself into this time?

Gran Canaria sunset.🌞

The famous banana of Gran Canaria is known for its smaller size, rich flavor, and sweetness, thanks to the island’s mild climate and volcanic soil. 🍌

Cats of Gran Canaria.

The best way to spent Christmas.

@iamkosmonaut.bsky.social Buch ist angekommen. Danke! Ich habe ein bisschen Werbung dafür auf X gemacht.😬

@wespenvriend.nl @aglaia.bsky.social Help! Er zit een wespennest onder het fundament van het huis. We hadden er geen last van. Maar nu ineens zit de gang vol met wespen die een versufte indruk maken. Wat te doen? Een vlammenwerper heb ik niet.

@hilbrandie.bsky.social kom terug. www.spectator.co.uk/article/blue...

Finished Jan Meyers’ biography of Dutch fascist leader Anton Mussert. He’s portrayed as a petty-bourgeois nationalist who envisioned a fascist Dutch state alongside Hitler’s Germany. The book details his rivalry with the SS, who pushed for full annexation by the Reich.

Stunning! The Dutch Army has named its new tank regiment after Princess Amalia — a tribute to our future queen and a proud symbol of national strength and tradition.

Mocht de fietshelm ooit verplicht worden in Nederland, dan draag ik dit.

After the battle at Waterloo teeth were taken from the dead and used in dentures. English dentists were advertising these as Waterloo ivory. The bones of the fallen were dug up, ground down, and spread across fields as fertilizer. #Waterloo210

The construction of the Lion’s Mound at Waterloo was ordered in 1820 by Dutch King Willem I in honour of his son. It was erected on the spot where the Prince of Orange was wounded during the battle. #Waterloo210

This happened in France right after I made a joke about Napoleon. #Waterloo210

“By God, sir, I’ve lost my leg!” “By God, sir, so you have!" Exchange between Lord Uxbridge and the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo on this day in 1815. #Waterloo210

The Dutch battery of Krahmer de Bichin at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Waterloo was the biggest battle ever fought on (former) Dutch territory. Painting by Jan Hoynck van Papendrecht. #Waterloo210

Old Dutch veterans of the battle of Waterloo (1815) with their Prince of Orange ("the hero of Waterloo") 1875. #Waterloo210

"But for the heroic determination of the Prince of Orange, - I would have taken the English army in flagrante delicto." Napoleon on Waterloo (1815). #Waterloo210