Eternal Army of the Dutch Empire

Dutch Empire- The Eternal Army

My first experience as the Netherlands was one of my greatest rounds. Surprisingly, I realised that the Dutch Empire had exploited its colonies and had a brilliant economy. My mainland counted for only 5~10% of the entire economy. As the supreme commander of the Dutch armed forces, I realised that I could expand the Empire overseas, but needed to safeguard the cores first with buffer zones or European alliances. A conflict was brewing between Nazi Germany and the French Empire. I needed to choose one as my ally, certain that neutrality would lead to German invasion. However in the end Holland declared its neutrality. Germany did invade France, but it seemed both sides were waiting for the other to attack and for a few days nothing happened.

My naval power in my Pacific colonies was tremendous. With it I stormed Siam and prepared an invasion of Australia. The Netherlands scientists were extremely useful and soon made the Empire one of the most advanced nations. I recruited great tank units, built a powerful land force and created the so-called Eternal Army. I announced its creation on news, I had managed to hold on for a long time and now my power was growing. Meanwhile the Germans finally pushed into France, and I joined their assault, taking Belgium, Northern France and Paris as well as Indochina. I knew that a German invasion was likely, but I doubted that he would be able to crack my borders, guarded with hordes of artillery, AT and AA guns. Meanwhile the Dutch air force and navy eliminated Danish opposition and conquered the land.

As the strength of the Eternal Army grew, my popularity shrunk. I subdued Australia but South America worried me. However, I forged an alliance with Brazil, I supplied him in return for him safeguarding my colonies there. I next turned my eyes on Africa. It was up for grabs, and I took my chance. French colonies including Indo China fell into my hands, and with Africa came finally international recognition of the Dutch Empire. The Empire was spread over 4 continents, ever growing. I made no allies, but alliances were made against me, the Anti Dutch Coalition, consisting of Japan, China and India. Obviously they feared my Pacific presence, and so they dared attack the Eternal Army, the Imperial Air Force and the Grand Navy. The assault began with a Japanese fleet approaching the Grand Navy. The enemy opened fire, and on the ground a Chinese assault followed. However, they had underestimated me. I cracked through the Chinese front in two places with high level tanks and conquered China, in the seas despite great casualties the Dutch Navy prevailed with Naval bomber help, and the Enemy was subdued. India and Japan surrendered, and the Anti Dutch coalition was disbanded. China was now ready to exploit.

Despite my growth and powerful image, it had all been a simple power play. I never wielded enormous power, fielding only 6% of the World’s armies, and so was certain of a loss when the mighty British Empire attacked. I managed to win the overseas war and took all British colonies, but my mainland was doomed. Thousands of brave Dutch men fought bravely, 8 battleships were sunk before the Navy retreated, and 70,000 casualties induced and 57,000 suffered before the British took Amsterdam and Paris. However the Empire persevered and celebrated its colonial victories. The entire Grand Navy gathered together with 15 regiments of the Eternal Army to launch an unexpected invasion of Britain through the West and North. Operation Revenge was a complete success. The UK fell, and came the liberation of the Netherlands. Celebrations were short lived, however. The Japanese and Indians launched an unexpected assault, and with the Navy far away, the Eternal Army was ambushed and destroyed, and Holland’s colonial holds fell. In Africa Egypt next reaped the rewards, and the Dutch Empire failed there too. The Economy collapsed and a final German assault on the Mainland spelled the end of the Eternal Army and the belief of its immortality.

However, I had conquered China, South East Asia, Australia, Africa and Britain and northern France as the Netherlands, a rare achievement that I have failed to recreate in my total of 9 attempts as the Dutch Empire. My Eternal Army, although destroyed, is eternal in its legacy.