Editing Nikolaas Paap (section)

== Military career ==

Paap entered the horse artillery of the [[Kingdom of Holland]] in 1807 at the age of 19. He enlisted as a gunner and fought at the [[Battle of Friedland]] during his first year of service. He was promoted to corporal in 1809 and took part in the fighting at [[Battle of Stralsund|Stralsund]] that year.

Following the French annexation of the Kingdom of Holland, Paap remained in military service. He was promoted to sergeant in 1811 and served during the [[French invasion of Russia]] in 1812. At the [[Battle of Borodino]], most of the crew serving his gun were killed or wounded. Paap kept the gun in action with the remaining crew until reinforcements reached the position. He received a commission as second lieutenant later that year and subsequently fought at the [[Battle of Berezina]].

Paap served in Germany during the 1813 campaign. After fighting at the [[Battle of Dresden]], he took part in the [[Battle of Leipzig]] in October. During the battle, a cannonball struck his left arm and shattered it. Other soldiers removed him from the battlefield, and the arm was amputated after his evacuation.

The injury ended his frontline horse-artillery service. After recovering, Paap continued his career in artillery depot duties. He later returned to Dutch service and continued to rise through the officer ranks, eventually reaching major.

During the [[Belgian Revolution]], Paap served at an artillery depot supporting the Dutch field army during the military operations of 1830–1831. His service continued through the [[Ten Days' Campaign]], for which he received the [[Metalen Kruis 1830–1831]]. He remained in the army until retiring as a major in 1843 after 36 years of service.