Dutch shovel + pickaxe "R 9"

**Austrian** · 12-26-2020, 10:38 AM

Hello,

not easy to choose the correct subforum for it.

I've received this 2 nice dutch army items.
It seems that both belongs together because of it's "R 9" markings.
Can someone help me with it please? I think it stands for an unit.

Shovel cover:
D.P. DE BOOT
'S-BOSCH
Unfortunately the belt loop was cut away. 'S-BOSCH stands for the city ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Shovel:
R 9
252
Also some crossed out markings, I belive "IIIII 3"

Pickaxe cover:
R 9
211
Gebroeders van der Kloot Meijburg
Oudshoorn a/d Rijn

Pickaxe:
R 9
9

Any information would be helpful!

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 12-26-2020 10:38 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Austrian** · 01-12-2021, 03:53 PM

No experts about Dutch army here?

**Bill Grist** · 01-12-2021, 04:41 PM

Not a expert but I sure like them. BILL

**stuka f** · 01-12-2021, 04:51 PM

Don't know if my account is still working, but if so I could post it on a Dutch militaria forum ...if they are still active.

**Austrian** · 01-12-2021, 07:16 PM

Thanks guys!

@stuka
That would be great of course! No need to hurry.
I think I saw that forum at my research, but navigation is difficult if you don't know the language.

**MP44tom** · 01-12-2021, 08:55 PM

My girlfriend collects dutch pre 1940 uniforms and equipment.

I can see that the cloth on the dutch spade is missing.....

Tom

**Austrian** · 01-12-2021, 09:38 PM

@MP44
I'm not sure what you mean with cloth.
Is it a textile fabric on the shovel cover? (backside to separate the surface)

**MP44tom** · 01-12-2021, 10:25 PM

Hi

The dutch shovel has a piece of cloth sewn to the carrier....

I’m not home at the moment so i can’t make a detail pic

Here a pic of a few of my shovels

The dutch one is down on the left

Tom

**Austrian** · 01-13-2021, 09:06 AM

Thanks! So we are talking about the same.

PS: My favorits from your collection is the polish one next to the dutch and the early KuK right down. Seems to be great pieces.

**emileverbunt** · 01-13-2021, 11:10 AM

I can tell you that the manufacturer D.P. de Booy made the cover. They were very active before the war in making helmet liners. Actually so was Van der Kloot Meijburg (Markings: i.e. KMA and KMD). They stayed in this business after the war as well.

The marking R9 probably stands for the 9th Regiment of Infantry. This regiment, 9 RI, fought the Germans near The Hague in may 1940. The Germans landed succesfully on three airfields near The Hague and attempted to capture the goverment and the Queen in a "coup de main" action. A counter attack by 9RI and others recaptured the airfields and twarthed the German plans. Many transport planes (about 125 JU 52's)) wrere destroyed and many Paratroopers were either killed (200 to 400) or captured (1500). A large number were transported to the UK as POW's to sit out the war in peace!

The Germans gained possession of the airfields only after cessation of the fighting on the 15th of may after the capitulation of the Netherlands.

So your equipment probably saw some severe action.

Kind regards,
Emile