Soldier of Orange (original title: Soldaat van Oranje) is a 1977 Dutch war drama about a group of law students and how their lives are interrupted by the outbreak of WWII. Most choose to join the resistance forces against the Germans but some choose other sides. The main character Erik makes several covert missions to Holland before becoming a bomber pilot and eventually the Queen’s Personal Assistant at the end of the war. ‘Orange’ in the title refers to the official name of the Dutch Royal House; ‘House of Orange’.
The story is based on the life of Dutch wartime RAF-pilot, spy and writer Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema who fled occupied Holland after the German invasion to become a decorated war hero. This autobiographical movie came out in 1977 and was shown on Dutch national television (with scenes deleted from the movie) as a 4-part series under the name “Voor Koningin en Vaderland” (“For Queen and Country”).
The movie is interesting in a sense that it meant the start of an international career for a number of widely acclaimed Dutch movie personalities. The main character Erik Lanshof is played by Rutger Hauer and his close friend Guus LeJeune is played by Jeroen Krabbé. Director of the movie is Paul Verhoeven who would go on to make classics as Starship Troopers, Total Recall and Robocop.
After downing more than a few pints, Guus comes home late to his London apartment and fires his Colt Official Police at the mirror on his bedroom door only to realize a second later he’s been shooting at his own mirror image.
Luger P08’s are carried by several German army officers and Dutch members of the Gestapo, most notably the villainous collaborator Breitner, a classic role by Dutch actor Rijk de Gooyer.
Dutch Gestapo officer Breitner (Rijk de Gooyer) carries a Walther P38 when he’s shot during the raid on the printing shop where a delegation of the Dutch resistance prepares to flee occupied Holland.
A Webley Mk IV is used in several scenes by members of the Dutch resistance forces. These revolvers were probably supplied to them from England by way of covert air-drops.
Robby Froost (Eddy Habbema) pulls a Walther Kampfpistole from inside his tuxedo to shoot a flare and betray their position to German troops when his double-play with the Gestapo is exposed. Not a gun one would expect to be carried discreetly under a tuxedo…
Most Dutch troops are equipped with the Hembrug M95 carbine, a Dutch version of the Steyr Mannlicher M95 short rifle that has been used in numerous versions in the Dutch armed forces up until the outbreak of WWII.
A rifle version of the above described Dutch carbine is also seen used in several scenes.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingSteyr M1895 Long Rifle (M1930 Conversion) - 8x56RError creating thumbnail: File missingA Dutch soldier with a Hembrug M95 rifle is running across the grounds of Dutch army barracks that have recently been bombed by the Germans. Note Erik and Guus in the background in their tuxedo’s on motorcycles as they arrive at the scene to volunteer for the Dutch army.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAlex, his Hembrug M95 rifle strapped on his back, speaking with an officer. Note the typical Dutch army helmets that were also used by the Romanian army at the time.
Karabiner 98k
Most German soldiers in occupied Holland are seen with the Karabiner 98k as their side-arm.
The Lee-Enfield No.4 is the rifle most commonly seen carried by Allied forces, especially Dutch forces who are being trained in England for the invasion of mainland Europe.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingLee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 BritishError creating thumbnail: File missingBeing among the first few who have made it safely across from occupied Europe, Erik and Guus are greeted at their debriefing station by English soldiers with Lee-Enfield No.4’s.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGuus comes to realize that a soldier’s life also has less glorious sides. Note the special grip whereby the rifle is held by the sling so that it’s always above ground level and mud cannot easily enter the barrel.
Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III
In one scene soldiers of a Dutch army unit are seen training to be put into action against the Germans. Most of them are carrying the Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I (see above), but one is carrying the predecessor model Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III, recognizable by the more stubby front.
In footage from a German propaganda movie, a Russian Tokarev SVT-40 rifle is seen used by German troops on the Eastern front. The rifle has probably been captured due to Germany not having a semi-automatic rifle in their arsenal in the early days of the invasion of Russia. It seems odd that this particular shot has gone unnoticed by German censors at the time…
The Sten Mk II is used prominently in many scenes in the movie. During WWII, the weapon was being supplied to resistance forces in great numbers and due to it’s simplicity, the weapon could be easily taken-down and/or repaired by untrained users.
A Browning M1917 can be seen outside Dutch army barracks during the May 1940 German invasion. It would have been more correct to see either a Schwarzlose or a Lewis machine guns as the Browning M1917 has never seen official use in Dutch service.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingBrowning M1917 machine gun with tripod and ammo box - .30-06Error creating thumbnail: File missingA guard stares in disbelief as tuxedo-clad Erik and Guus arrive on motorcycles, fresh from a graduation party, to volunteer for the Dutch army and fight the German invasion.
Lewis Gun
A fast patrol boat returning from a mission is equipped with a dual-mounted Lewis Gun on the bow.
A MG42 is seen in several scenes throughout the movie. This is historically incorrect as the scenes in question take place in 1940/41 so the MG34 would have been more appropriate.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm MauserError creating thumbnail: File missingA group of German paratroopers takes a break on the first day of the May 1940 German invasion of The Netherlands. One of the aspects of the German concept of ‘Blitzkrieg’ (concentrating firepower in small paratroopers units) is evident here; all men are carrying not only automatic weapons (either MG42 or MP40) but also stick grenades and pistols.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGerman soldiers firing their boat-mounted MG42’s on a rowing boat carrying members of the Dutch resistance. Note that the bipod of the back MG42 is positioned dangerously very close to the edge of the boat cabin; if it moves forward another inch it will drop down sending bullets into the crew of the front MG42.
Miscellaneous
Oerlikon 20mm canon
In a number of scenes the Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft canon can be clearly identified, most notably by the cylindrical drum on top of the receiver and the typical round shoulder rests. It is seen both with and without a protective shield.
A Bofors 40mm is seen through the telelens of the camera that Guus as he spies on German fortifications along the Dutch coast. The canon appears to have been put here just for visual purpose as it’s been placed virtually on the beach, in full view and without any cover or protection.
German paratroopers can be seen with Model 24 Stielhandgranates in their belts as they take a break during the May 1940 German invasion of the Netherlands. Note the special paratrooper helmets that differ from the regular German army issue in that they have a flatter underprofile with less protection to the neck and ears.
Alex finds his volunteer service with the Dutch SS forces on the Eastern front coming to an abrupt (and rather unheroic…) end when a Russian partisan drops a RGD-33 stick grenade in his unit’s lavatory at the very moment he’s using the facility.
An unidentified piece of field artillery can be seen at the airfield from which Erik and Will Dostgaarde (Peter Faber) are taking off on their first bombing raid. Again probably just a prop to make the airfield look more war-like as crew and ammunition are missing.
