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Germans Invade the Netherlands
Germans invade the Netherlands. The German planes were flying north of the ocean and the Dutch thought the Germans were flying to England until they made an 180-degree turn. The Germans flew back to the Netherlands and when they got there there was gunfire, bombs dropping, and paratroopers flying through the air. -
Germans Bomb Rotterdam
The city of Rotterdam was the center of many battles but the Germans had not seized it yet. German general Schmidt presented the Dutch with an ultimatum. If they didn't surrender then the Germans were going to bomb the city. The Dutch didn't surrender and even before the time was up the Germans bombed the city. Around 700 people lost their lives that day and 80,000 more lost their homes. -
Utrecht Surrenders
Seeing what the Germans did to Rotterdam, the Netherlands didn't want it to happen again. They surrendered Utrecht on May 15, 1940. -
German's New Administration
After the Netherlands surrendered the Germans implemented a new administration run by Reich Commissioner Arthur Seyss-Inquart. For the next five years the Netherlands were run by the Nazi's. -
War in Europe
The German army decided to invade Poland. In the next few days England and France waged war on Germany. This was the start of the second World War.