Nikolaas Paap
Nikolaas Paap (17 November 1787 – 17 November 1879) was a Dutch artillery officer from the Paap family. He served in the horse artillery from 1807 until 1843 and rose from an enlisted gunner to the rank of major. His frontline career ended after a cannonball shattered his left arm at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. He remained in military service afterward and held artillery depot appointments until his retirement.
Nikolaas Paap | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 17 November 1787 |
| Died | 17 November 1879 (aged 92) |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | Horse artillery |
| Service years | 1807–1843 |
| Rank | Major |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Metalen Kruis 1830–1831 |
| Relations |
|
| Other work | Chairman of the Delft, Schiedam en omstreken branch of the Vereniging Het Metalen Kruis |
Military career
editPaap 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 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.
Later life
editAfter retiring, Paap settled in Schiedam. Following the establishment of the Vereniging Het Metalen Kruis in 1853, he joined its Delft, Schiedam en omstreken branch. He later became chairman of the branch.
Paap never married and had no children. He remained in Schiedam for the rest of his life and died there on 17 November 1879, his 92nd birthday.