The Dutch army in World War 1

Internment (officers)

version July 3 2019

As a neutral country during WW1, the Netherlands had to make sure that military of the warring countries, who had (accidently) entered the Netherlands, weren’t able to participate in the war again.

33,105 Belgians (405 officers)
1,751 British (139 officers)
1,461 Germans (66 officers, 2 Faenrichs)
8 French (5 officers)
4 American (4 officers) soldiers

were interned. The rank and file were housed in barracks, officers could move freely, promising not to escape.

On November 12, 2 German officers escaped. The Netherlands protested to the German Government. Although the latter declared the duty of the officers was to escape, they were send back. As a consequence, all the German officers said withdrew their promise.
In November 1914, the British officers (from the marine brigade who had escaped from Antwerp) informed the Dutch government that the Admiralty had told them it was their duty to escape.

Both German and British officers weren housed for the moment in the locations where also the nco’s and soldiers were housed (Bergen for the Germans, Groningen for the British).

In 1915 the British officers (and 1 French) were moved to Fort Wierickerschans, near Bodegraven. A fort of the (old) Dutch Waterline (1672 fame), it was transformed into an internment camp.

Fort Wierickerschans
Source: Internet

The commander was J.M. baron van Boecop, a former major in the cavalry.

J.M. baron van Boecop
source: https://geschiedenisvanzuidholland.nl/verhalen/interneringsoord-wierickerschans-1915-1917-

Barracks for the personnel / guards (about 180 men).
Due to lack of space they were partially stationed in Bodegraven.

barracks for the guards
source: https://geschiedenisvanzuidholland.nl/verhalen/interneringsoord-wierickerschans-1915-1917-

The officers tried to escape. Some efforts look like a prequel to Colditz): A tunnel (discovered in time)

escape tunnel
Source: https://geschiedenisvanzuidholland.nl/verhalen/interneringsoord-wierickerschans-1915-1917-

After the British government had stated that escaping wasn't the duty of the officers anymore (december 1915), German officers (10 - 15) were moved to the camp.
Of course, they also tried to escape. Apparently without success. The most inventive attempt was when a certain lieutenant Reiche Eisenstock hid in the trunk of a colleague going back to Germany (maybe he was too wounded to participate further in the war). The lieutenant got out the trunk near Gouda, but was caught some miles outside the city.
Only 1 reference, but again, I like the story (although it is not without precedent (link).

Used resources:
The Netherlands during the War (Brugmans)
ch 3: military consolidation of neutrality (Tuinen, C. van), Amsterdam 1920

Verre van Vredig (Far from Peaceful)
Staarman, A
Delft, 2004

https://geschiedenisvanzuidholland.nl/verhalen/interneringsoord-wierickerschans-1915-1917-
https://www.ssew.nl/interneringsoord-fort-wierickerschans-1915-1917
https://rhcrijnstreek.nl/bronnen/lokale-historie/bodegraven-reeuwijk/bodegraven/wierickerschans/