Johan Engelbert Frantzen was a lieutenant of the Dutch Marine Corps who distinguished himself during the naval engagement at Doggersbank on 5 August 1781. He was among the officers awarded honours by Stadholder Willem V for his role in the battle against the British fleet.
Service in the Marine Corps
Frantzen entered the Dutch Marine Corps (see Dutch Marine Corps (1665–1945)) and rose to the rank of lieutenant. During the Fourth Anglo‑Dutch War he served aboard the Dutch flagship under Admiral Zoutman.
Role at the Battle of Doggersbank
On 5 August 1781 the Dutch fleet engaged the British near the Dogger Bank shoal. Frantzen’s marine detachment, numbering between 42 and 97 men depending on the ship’s charter, manned the ship’s guns and provided disciplined musket fire. Contemporary reports praised his “cold‑blooded” composure under fire.
Recognition
After the battle, Stadholder Willem V presented Frantzen with a silver medal commemorating the victory, alongside other officers such as Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen.
See Also
Source
De geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Korps Mariniers van 1665‑1945, OCR edition, pp. 77‑78. 20260707_232246_DLP-55-De_geschiedenis_van_het_Nederlandsche_Korps_Mariniers_van_1665_1945_OCR.txt.