Formation
The PIB was formed in 1941 in the United Kingdom as the Royal Netherlands Motorized Infantry Brigade (sometimes referred to as the Dutch Legion) from Dutch nationals that had escaped from the Netherlands following the German invasion and subsequent occupation. Although augmented by overseas citizens from Canada, the United States, the Middle East, the Dutch West Indies (Netherlands Antilles and Suriname), South Africa, Brasil and Argentina (among others); the Dutch force grew very slowly as troops were detached for other duties i.e. the Commandos, the Navy etc. The unit never totalled more than about 2,000 men at one time with a total of around 3,000 serving. This is less than the 3,000 to 4,000 personnel normally associated with a typical British infantry brigade of the period.
On 11 February 1941, by approval of Queen Wilhelmina, the Dutch Legion gained a new name, the Prinses Irene Brigade (PIB).
On 6 August 1944, the first troops of the P.I.B landed at Graye-sur-Mer (Normandy), in North Western France. After the arrival of the remainder of the brigade the PIB served under the First Canadian Army. Heavy fighting took place around the Chateau St Come (“Hellfire Corner”) and the brigade liberated Pont Audemer in the progress.
In mid-September, the P.I.B. became involved in fighting with German forces at the town of Beringen.
Operation Market Garden
The brigade re-entered Dutch territory at Borkel en Schaft on 20th September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden — the operation to simultaneously capture nine bridges between the Bocholt-Herentals Canal and the Rhine (at Arnhem). At around this time, the brigade was also involved in combat against the Dutch Waffen-SS volunteer formation Landstorm Nederland, German SS troops, and paratroopers. From 26th September, the PIB guarded the then unnamed bridge spanning the River Maas at Grave. (The bridge known later as John S. Thompsonbrug, was the longest to attack and defend during the operation).
On 24th October, the brigade was ordered to move south-west to Tilburg to attack the town from the south while the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division attacked from the east (these actions were part of Operation Pheasant – the British I and XII Corps attacks to clear North Brabant). The PIB was unable to get to Tilburg and was stranded at Broekhoven, where fighting took place and four soldiers were killed.
The Prinses Irene Brigade spent the winter of 1944/45 in the region of Walcheren and Noord-Beveland (Zeeland), losing several soldiers. From Zeeland, the PIB went back to North Brabant.
On 31st March 1945, the commander of the PIB, Colonel De Ruyter van Steveninck, said goodbye to the three platoons of Royal Netherlands Marines; these had formed II Independent Company and were sent to the USA to join the Royal Netherlands Marines Brigade. These troops had originally been assigned to the PIB. so the brigade would have enough troops participating in the liberation of Europe, as requested by the British government. The gap left by the Dutch Marines was filled with replacements from volunteers from the liberated parts of the Netherlands, who had been trained at Bergen Op Zoom under the command of Frank Looringh van Beeck, a South African officer.
On 2nd March 1945, the PIB was put under the command of the Netherlands District, under Major General A Galloway, based at the HQ in the city of Tilburg.
Operation “Orange”
The PIB was involved in heavy fighting in the town of Hedel, north of Den Bosch, on the River Maas in April 1945. The P.I.B. was supposed to link up with the 30th Battalion Royal Marines, of the 116th Infantry Brigade Royal Marines, at Kerkdriel in an attempt to liberate the Bommelerwaard. However, the Royal Marines were unable to get forward due to German opposition in the town of Kerkdriel, leaving the PIB stranded at the bridgehead of Hedel. The Prinses Irene Brigade was under command of the 116th Infantry Brigade Royal Marines at this time. Despite their perilous situation they fought the Germans with great gallantry, and were able to hold the town for three days. In these fights, the PIB lost twelve men killed; around thirty were wounded. Several gallantry medals were later awarded for actions in Hedel. At 11:15 hours on 25th April the order to withdraw from the bridgehead in Hedel, came from 116th Infantry Brigade Royal Marines. At 23:30 hours III Independent Company withdrew from the town as the last unit to the south side of the river Maas. This effort was completed at 00:30 hours on 26th April.
The Princess Irene Brigade entered The Hague on 9 May 1945 as liberators.
The traditions of the WW2 Prinses Irene Brigade are carried by the current Garderegiment Fuseliers Prinses Irene