ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Exept public holidays, open each Wednesday and
Thursday 13.30 - 16.30.
Telephone: +31(0)318681306
Elias Beeckmankazerne,
Nieuwe Kazernelaan 10
PO Box: 9012,
6710 HC EDE
INTRODUCTION
Collecting old telecommunications equipment, documentation, photographs
etc. started in 1965.
In 1969 a small museum was opened. In the following years the collection
was enlarged and in 1982 the then extensive collection was moved to the
present building.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the museum is to show the evolution of (military) telecommunications
through the centuries and especially of the RNA Signal Corps since its
foundation in 1874.
DOCUMENTATION
The museum library includes almost 6000 technical and operators manuals
and historical books.
The crest of the RNA Signal Corps is formed by a sappers helmet (crest
of the pre-war and present-day Corps of Engineers) and lightning flashes
(insignia of morsetelegraphy operators from 1874 to 1940).
THE COLLECTION
East wing
Equipment, uniforms etc are for the greater part set up in a chronological
order. Part or the equipment is in working order and may be operated by
the visitors.
The numbers refer to the plan
above.
1. Collection of badges and distinctives of the RNA Signal Corps
1871-2000.
Collection of foreign signal badges: most signal corps use lightning
flashes, torches, signalling flags etc. for their crests; the British Royal
Signals and the signal corps of the former British colonies and dominions
use Mercurius, the messenger of the gods.
2. Pre-WW II dress-uniforms.
3. Optical telegraphs:
Before the invention of the electromagnetic telegraph long distance
communications were established by optical means. Shown are models of the
French (1793-1830) and Dutch (1831) systems. The last one was used between
the Hague and Antwerp during the Belgian uprising and until 1839 for transmitting
messages between The Hague and the naval base in Flushing.
4. 1840-1914 period
Replica of a Wheatstone telegraph: this type of telegraph was
used during some years by the "Dutch Iron Railway Company" around 1840.
Hughes printing telegraph: used by the Government Telegraph
System from 1870 to 1947. A limited number was available and used by the
Signal Corps during the 1914-1918 mobilisation
Diorama: showing how a telegraphline was constructed in 1874.
5. The telephone (Graham Bell, 1876)
Was introduced in the Signal Corps in 1880. Next to the soldier carrying
the line-laying equipment is a flag signaller of 1915, dressed in
the grey-green uniform that was introduced in that year.
6. 1914-1918 period
Main items: spark-transmitter and coherer-receiver (1915) used for
instruction at the Royal Military Academy; Morsetelegraphs, fieldtelephones,
British trench switchboard and trench transmitter, several types of German
radio-equipment and scale models of Dutch long distance radiostation.
7. Fortress telegraphy.
Since the 16th century the defence of Holland was based on "inundation
lines"; behind these lines fortresses were built. Around 1900 all fortresses
were connected to the Government Telegraph System.
8. Collection of radiotubes.
9. 1939-1940 period
Telecommunications equipment is still rather simple and not suitable
for modern warfare. In the middle of the 30's a start was made (too late)
to introduce new equipment. A good example is the radiotelephony set made
by the Dutch NSF factory, using a directional antenna and working on a
(for that time very high) frequency of 200 MCs.
10. The horse-drawn linewagon
(1920, and still used in 1940) is a long term loan from the Army Museum.
11. 1945-1950 period
The equipment used by the Signal Corps during the first years after
the war was mainly British and Canadian. A still famous example is the
wireless set no 19.
12. Telephones and switchboards
shown are British (till 1951) and American. A pre-war automatic exchange
is in working order and the visitor can hear and see how a connection is
made.
13. In the teleprinter
section visitors can punch tapes and use automatic transmitters to
print these tapes.
14. SCR-399
A large item is the American 400 watt transmitter SCR-399, installed
in a shelter, used for long distance communications (1951-1960).
15. 1950-2000
After 1950 (founding of NATO) telecommunications equipment was at first
American. A long row of radio-receivers and transmitters shows what equipment
was used until 2000.
16. Netherlands East Indies 1945 -195 0.
Two Divisional Signal Units an 7 Brigade Signal Units were sent to
the NE Indies. The equipment used was mainly British.
17. Dispatch-rider.
Training in installing permanent-line communications was stopped around
1955. Radio Relay replaced the long distance lines. Dispatch-riders (shown
in 1945 uniform) still are an important means of communication.
18. "Museum"shop
THE COLLECTION
West wing
The numbers refer to the plan above.
20. Rotterdam 10 and 11 May 1940
The fighting in Rotterdam forms an important part in the history of
the RNA Signal Corps. The Signal Training Battalion was used as infantry
to fight German troops that had occupied the North bank of the river Meuse.
The map and photographs made before and after the bombing of the town show
where signalmen operated.
21. Signals monument
In 1960 Rotterdam offered one of the stone lions of the then broken
down Four Lions bridge to the Regiment. This Regimental Lion now forms
the centre of the Signals Monument.
22. Regimental Colours
The Regimental Colours with the inscription Rotterdam 1940 were awarded
to the Regiment by HM Queen Juliana in 1974.
23. Army Field Post Service
started in 1830 during the Belgian uprising, when troops were sent
to the south of the country. Next to the "conductor is a canteen-woman
who accompanied troops on exercise.
24. Fieldpost office 1940
25. KNIL Royal Neth. Indies Army Signal Corps
The woodcarved figures show KNIT-signalmen around 1930.
26. Special wireless equipment
The wireless-set hidden in a small suitcase was used by allied agents
dropped above occupied Holland to send messages to London.
27. Territorial telephone system
Shown are the last (1995) mechanical automatic exchange, several tone
and pulse telephones, the Phillips manual switch-board of 1948 and an OMEC
(military emergency switchboard).
28. Women Auxiliary Corps
This part of the museum is dedicated to the former VHK (Women Auxiliary
Corps). The VHK was founded in England during WW I1.
29. Encryption
Shown are off-Line enciphering equipment (Hagelin) and the on-line
equipment used on teleprinter circuits. The German enigma code machine
of WW II Is a special object in this corner of the museum.
30. Troposcatter equipment
was used from 1970 till 1990 as a 15 - channel means of
communication between DHQ in the Hague and
1 Corps when located in Northern Germany.
31. Directionfinders
In 1951 the then called Signal Intelligence and Security Company used
rather simple directionfinders. Since then new and modern equipment has
been introduced several times.
32. Satellite communications
The two Installations shown were used in Yugoslavia by the 1 (NL) UN
Sigbat (1992-1994). Both (analog) types have been replaced by modern (digital)
systems.
32a. Electronic Warfare
33. Uniforms 1945-2000
In 1945 the uniforms of the RNA were identical to those in the British
Army. Around 1960 uniforms in two colours and a new type or battledress
were introduced. Special distinctives were worn on the uniform of a female
ADC (major of the Signal Corps) of HM the Queen.
34 Radio Relay
RR was first used in the Signal Corps in 1952: the American AN/TRC
with the very heavy 4 channel carrier equipment. Later German RR and 12
channel carrier equipment was used. Modern RR installations have 64 channel
multiplex equipment.
35 Measuring instruments
Several types of measuring instruments used by the Signal Corps.
36. Trainingset radio-repairmen
With this system various types or wireless receivers and transmitters
could be assembled to train radio repairmen.
