Brunssum, The Netherlands – In a landmark shift and underscoring the ongoing success and evolution of the German-Dutch partnership within NATO, a Dutch officer assumed command of the NATO Battlegroup on the eastern flank for the first time. Lieutenant Colonel Bas Schillemans took charge of the Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania, a key element in the security architecture of NATO’s eastern flank since 2017. This historic transition occurred on August 7, marking a significant milestone in NATO’s commitment to multinational cooperation.
If necessary, we will defend every inch of NATO territory!
Command positions within the NATO Battlegroup Lithuania had been exclusively held by German officers in the past. Germany´s role as the framework nation of NATO Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania, remains unchanged, continuing its vital task as the largest provider of personnel and equipment.
Lieutenant Colonel Schillemans currently commands the German-Dutch Tank Battalion 414 in Loheide, Germany. The Unit, representing a German-Dutch collaborative effort the past nine years, serves as the lead of the battlegroup. It embodies the long-standing partnership between Germany and the Netherlands, further cemented by the integration of the Dutch 43rd Mechanized Brigade from Darp into Germany’s 1st Armoured Division based in Oldenburg.
Schillemans, who has been at the helm of Tank Battalion 414 since 2022, expressed his readiness to lead the battlegroup through its upcoming rotation. "I am looking forward to this new task, to be able to contribute to deterring adversarial aggression together with the six nations of our Battlegroup. If necessary, we will defend every inch of NATO territory!" he stated.
His predecessor, Lieutenant Colonel Marek Krüger, reflected positively on his tenure, acknowledging the battlegroup's achievements. "We had a challenging task here in Lithuania. And I am more than satisfied with the goals we have achieved," said Krüger. He also commended the robust multinational cooperation and the exceptional support from the Lithuanian population.
