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Destroyers - Netherlands: Books - History and Ships

Looking for a book about destroyers of the Koninklijke Marine? Discover here the best illustrated books on the history and types of destroyers from Netherlands.

Destroyer Escort Dubois - Ex USS O'Neill

Six US-built Cannon-class destroyer escorts were transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1950 under the Mutual Defense Aid Plan. The ships were named "Van Amstel" (F806), "De Bitter" (F807), "Van Ewijck" (F808), "Dubois" (F809), "De Zeeuw" (F810), and "Van Zijll" (F811).

Designed to escort convoys during the Second World War, these diesel-electric ships were widely used by US allies as they rebuilt their navies in the 1950s.
During the Korean War, two Dutch vessels were deployed to the conflict area in support of the US Navy, mainly for shore bombardment.

This book describes the history, construction, and operational service of HNLMS "Dubois".

Product details

Author:	Maarten Schönfeld
Details:	56 pages, 10.6 x 8.7 in (27 x 22 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Publisher:	Lanasta (NL, 2026)
Series:	Warship (19)
ISBN:	9789464566635

Destroyer Escort Dubois - Ex USS O'Neill

Language: English

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Destroyer HNLMS Kortenaer

Designed by Yarrow, the ships of the Dutch "Admiralen" class were based on a modified version of HMS Ambuscade and differed only slightly in specification.
Key changes included funnels of equal size, a different position of the mainmast, and equipment adapted to Dutch naval needs. These features included the ability to carry mines, a seaplane stored above the aft torpedo tubes, and the absence of gun shields at the 'B' and 'Y' gun positions.
Two ships were laid down each year from 1925 onward in Dutch shipyards, while the main machinery was built by Yarrow. The ships were named Piet Hein (PH), Evertsen (EV), Van Ghent (GT), Kortenaer (KN), Van Galen (VG), Witte de With (WW), Banckert (BK), and Van Nes (VN).

HNLMS Kortenaer was torpedoed by the Japanese cruiser Haguro during the Battle of the Java Sea on 27 February 1942. The hit caused a massive explosion, and the destroyer sank almost immediately.

This book describes the history, construction and operational service of HNLMS Kortenaer.

Product details

Author:	Rindert van Zinderen-Bakker
Details:	56 pages, 10.8 x 8.9 x 0.28 in (27.5 x 22.5 x 0.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Publisher:	Lanasta (NL, 2019)
Series:	Warship (8)
ISBN:	9789086161980

Destroyer HNLMS Kortenaer

Language: English

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S-class destroyer Piet Hein (ex HMS Serapis)

NEW

The destroyers of the 5th Emergency Flotilla, ordered by the Royal Navy in 1941, became known as the S-class. During the Second World War, they served as fleet and convoy escorts.
In the final months of the war, three ships were transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy for deployment in the Far East. HMS Scorpion was renamed HNLMS Kortenaar, HMS Scourge became HNLMS Evertsen, and HMS Serapis became HNLMS Piet Hein.

HNLMS Piet Hein took part in the Indonesian War of Independence and was later deployed during the Korean War. The ship was decommissioned in 1962 and scrapped. This richly illustrated book describes the history, construction, and deployment of this Dutch naval vessel.

Product details

Author:	Jantinus Mulder
Details:	52 pages, 10.6 x 8.7 x 0.28 in (27 x 22 x 0.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Publisher:	Lanasta (NL, 2024)
Series:	Warship (15)
ISBN:	9789464561920

S-class destroyer Piet Hein (ex HMS Serapis)

Language: English

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Type 47B Destroyer Drenthe

After the Second World War, the Royal Netherlands Navy ordered new ships to counter the growing threat posed by Soviet submarines. These vessels were classified as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) destroyers, although their size and performance were close to those of contemporary destroyers.

The ships were designed and built by the Dutch shipbuilding industry. Two classes were constructed, of which "Drenthe" belonged to the more capable Type 47B series.

This book describes the history, construction and operational service of this Dutch naval vessel.

Product details

Author:	Jantinus Mulder, Henk Visser
Details:	54 pages, 33.7 x 23 x 0.59 in (85.5 x 58.5 x 1.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Publisher:	Lanasta (NL, 2020)
Series:	Warship
ISBN:	9789086162000