ORDER OF BATTLE // May 10, 1940
Battle for The Hague
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 14,100 estimated
Netherlands
11,100
Medium-confidence figure
Germany
3,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle for The Hague formed part of the broader German invasion of the Netherlands on 10 May 1940. German Fallschirmjäger units were committed to seize Dutch airfields and the city itself, targeting the seat of Dutch government and military command. Despite fielding roughly 3,000 troops against a Dutch force of over 11,000, German casualties of 1,745 exceeded Dutch losses of around 1,000, making the operation a costly failure for the airborne assault force. The failure to secure The Hague meant Dutch command and government structures were not immediately neutralized, complicating German operational objectives in the opening phase of the Western campaign.
‹ Full battle dossier