About Stand Your Ground

Who I am, what I do and why.

My name is Thomas den Hollander and I’m from The Netherlands. I have a Bachelors degree in History and a Masters in International Relations in a historical perspective, achieved at Utrecht University.

“Stand Your Ground, military history 1789-1919” is a two-way initiative. In the first place I try to make the military history of what I call “the long 19th century, including the First World War” more lively by writing, call it blogging if you like, about this episode. But I also try to create some sort of database or portal for this period of warfare, which is a big challenge because the wars, battles, developments and key players that are involved are numerous. I hope to be able to present a complete as possible package or experience of this volatile timeframe. In the second place, and in the long run and in addition to my above mentioned experience, I’m trying to provide books, drawings, photographs and other media about and from this period and these wars. But this is a long term goal…

Why this period? Well, because I consider this period as one of the most important periods in military history. Developments  in warfare, strategy, tactics, uniforms, army building and on a technical level to name a few make this episode extremely important for nowadays warfare. Not to say the least about all the geopolitical struggles of the greater and not so great nations. It is intriguing. Personally I’m a fan of the history of the Napoleonic Wars and the First World War and it seems logical for me to include the period in between in my quest for the collection and distribution of knowledge about this time.

My final words on this page go out to my best friend who shared my military historical passions with me but who died way too young in 2014. He is the one who inspires me to start and complete the future shared dreams we had. He is the reason this blog, and all that will come from it, is here. Do not be afraid to fail, because falor ergo sum. Semper fidelis.

R.I.P.