Marine Corps in Aceh was the amphibious infantry and naval landing contingent of the Royal Netherlands Navy that served alongside the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army during coastal invasions and interior campaigns against the Aceh Sultanate between 1873 and 1876.
Role in the First and Second Expeditions
During the First Aceh Expedition in April 1873, marine detachments covered the debarkation at Meuraxa on 8 April and fought in the storming of coastal redoubts and the Battle of Baiturrahman Mosque. During the Second Aceh Expedition in December 1873, marines secured the beachhead at Koerong Raba Bay under General J. van Swieten.
Mountain Fighting Under Lieutenant Colonel Meijer
During General Pel’s Campaign in Aceh in December 1875, the Marine Corps in Aceh formed part of the elite column commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Meijer. Marines fought alongside the 3rd Infantry Battalion during the Crossing of Blankala Pass, capturing mountain defiles and descending into the IV Moekims.
See Also
- Royal Netherlands East Indies Army
- Lieutenant Colonel Meijer
- J. van Swieten
- First Aceh Expedition
- Second Aceh Expedition
- Crossing of Blankala Pass
Source
Atjeh gedurende de tweede expeditie en later, Een Oud Officier, Batavia: Ogilvie & Co., 1876, pp. 11-15.