Capitulation of the Netherlands

On 10 May 1940, German forces launched an offensive against the Netherlands as part of the wider attack on Western Europe.

On 10 May 1940, German forces launched an offensive against the Netherlands as part of the wider attack on Western Europe.

German forces advanced rapidly across the country. The bombing of Rotterdam became one of the best-known tragedies of the campaign.

On 14 May, the Netherlands agreed to the surrender of its main forces, although isolated fighting continued. A period of German occupation began.

The fall of the Netherlands accelerated the strategic collapse in Western Europe and increased the danger to neighbouring Belgium and France.

Source: View historical source ↗