The German invasion of the Netherlands, otherwise known as the Battle of the Netherlands, was a military campaign, part of Case Yellow, the Nazi German invasion of the Low Countries and France during
The centre of Rotterdam destroyed after being bombed by the Luftwaffe
Dutch soldiers on guard, November 1939
Dutch troops close the barrier of the Nijmegen Waal bridge during the Albania crisis.
Major Dutch defence lines
German bombing of Rotterdam
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In 1940, Rotterdam was subjected to heavy aerial bombardment by the Luftwaffe during the German invasion of the Netherlands during the Second World War. The objective was to support the German troops
German invasion of the Netherlands
…several airfields in the vicinity of Rotterdam and The Hague, helping to quickly overrun the country and immobilise Dutch forces. After the devastating Nazi bombing of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffe on 14 May, the Germans threatened to bomb other Dutch cities if the Dutch forces refused to surrender. The General Staff knew it could…
A painting of Rotterdam in 1895
Rotterdam's burning northern suburbs after the bombing.
Rotterdam's city centre after the bombing in 1940. The heavily damaged (now restored) St. Lawrence church stands out as the only remaining building that is reminiscent of Rotterdam's medieval architecture. (Agfacolor)