German invasion of the Netherlands

Overview

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 under French command in the far southwestern province of Zealand continued to resist the Wehrmacht until 17 May, when Germany completed its occupation of the whole country.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The German invasion of the Netherlands was part of Case Yellow, the broader Nazi offensive against the Low Countries and France in World War II. Dutch forces, numbering 280,000, were outnumbered by a German force of 750,000 under Fedor von Bock, and the main Dutch army surrendered on 14 May 1940 after just four days of fighting. Dutch troops under French command in the southwestern province of Zealand continued resistance until 17 May, when Germany completed its occupation of the country. The rapid fall of the Netherlands eliminated a western flank that Allied planners had counted on, facilitating Germany's broader push through the Low Countries toward France and contributing to the strategic collapse of Allied defensive positions in Western Europe in the spring of 1940.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (5)