Editing Johannes Paap (section)

== Cavalry career ==

Johannes was promoted to ''eerste luitenant'' in 1810. Following the French annexation of the Kingdom of Holland, he entered French imperial service and served with the [[11th Hussar Regiment (France)|11th Hussars]]. He remained on active duty during the [[French invasion of Russia]] in 1812.

During close cavalry fighting in Russia, Johannes received a sword cut across his right cheek toward the jaw. The wound left a permanent scar but caused no lasting physical impairment. He remained in service after recovering and continued campaigning during the later stages of the Napoleonic Wars.

After the restoration of the Netherlands, Johannes entered [[Regiment Huzaren No. 6]]. He served as an ''eerste luitenant'' during the [[Waterloo campaign]] in 1815.

At the [[Battle of Waterloo]], the captain commanding Johannes's squadron was wounded. Johannes assumed temporary command, rallied hussars who had become scattered during the fighting and led them in a countercharge against French cavalry. During the action, he personally killed a French cavalry officer. He then kept part of the squadron in position while wounded Dutch soldiers were removed from the fighting.

Johannes received the [[Military William Order]], 4th Class, later in 1815 for his conduct at Waterloo. His combat record and temporary command of the squadron contributed to his promotion to ''ritmeester'' in 1818. He remained with Regiment Huzaren No. 6 after the promotion.

Fifteen enemy combatants were documented as having been killed by Johannes during his military career.

Johannes remained an active ''ritmeester'' during the [[Belgian Revolution]]. In the [[Ten Days' Campaign]] of 1831, he commanded a hussar squadron at the [[Battle of Hasselt]]. His squadron pursued retreating Belgian forces after the Dutch breakthrough. During the pursuit, Johannes overtook a fleeing Belgian officer, jumped from his horse onto him and brought him to the ground before forcing his surrender.

His conduct at Hasselt resulted in an ''eervolle vermelding''. He also received the [[Metalen Kruis 1830–1831]] for his service in the campaign. As a surviving veteran of French imperial service, he later received the [[Médaille de Sainte-Hélène]]. He also received the [[Zilveren Herdenkingskruis 1813–1815]].

Johannes retired from active military service in 1835 after 36 years in the cavalry.