Netherlands in World War II
Despite Dutch neutrality, Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940 as part of Fall Gelb. On 15 May 1940, one day after the bombing of Rotterdam, the Dutch forces surrendered. The Dutch government and the royal family relocated to London. Princess Juliana and her children sought refuge in Ottawa, Canada until after the war.
The city of Rotterdam after the German bombing during the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940.
A bunker of the Peel-Raam Line, built in 1939
Dutch soldiers guard the Holland Water Line shortly after mobilisation, 1939
Henri Winkelman (centre), just after signing the Dutch capitulation, 15 May 1940.
German invasion of the Netherlands
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 World War II. The battle lasted from 10 May 1940 until the surrender of the main Dutch forces on 14 May. Dutch troops in the province of Zealand continued to resist the Wehrmacht until 17 May, when Germany completed its occupation of the whole country.
The centre of Rotterdam destroyed after bombing
Dutch soldiers on guard, November 1939
Dutch troops close the barrier of the Nijmegen Waal bridge during the Albania crisis.
Major Dutch defence lines
