On May 10th, the German military launched a surprise invasion of the neutral Netherlands. The German offensive commenced with a coordinated attack on Dutch airfields, exploiting the Dutch military’s limited armor and inadequate air force compared to the German Luftwaffe.

Following the air attacks, German paratroopers descended upon the primary Dutch airfields, resulting in mixed success. While the Dutch initially managed to repel the initial onslaught and destroy numerous bridges, effectively delaying the German advance, by the conclusion of the first day of hostilities, the Germans had secured control of Maastricht in the southern region.

Despite the arrival of the first French forces, the Dutch military was compelled to continue its retreat. By the end of the second day, the Dutch had retreated to their final defensive line.

On May 13th, the Dutch royal family and government departed for England, accompanied by three Dutch merchant vessels escorted by the Royal Navy. These vessels carried the Dutch bullion and crucial documents to England. Despite the overwhelming likelihood of defeat, the Dutch military persisted in resisting the German onslaught.

On May 14th, German Luftwaffe commander Hermann Goring ordered a devastating bombing campaign against Rotterdam. The attack resulted in the complete destruction of a significant portion of the city’s center, causing the loss of 24,000 homes. In response, the Germans presented the Dutch with an ultimatum: surrender or face the complete destruction of the remaining Dutch cities. The Dutch military ultimately succumbed to the ultimatum and surrendered at the end of the day.