Belgium Invaded

May 10-17th, 1940

Northern Front, Norway
The re-embarkation of Allied troops leaves the Germans in control of southern and central Norway. At Narvik in the north, 2000 German Alpine troops are slowly pushed back by 20,000 Allied troops.

Western Front, Belgium
Hitler moves to his forward headquarters, Felsennest (Cliff Nest) at Bad Munstereiffel, about 30 miles (48km) from the Belgian frontier, and issues the codeword 'Danzig' which sets off 'Fall Gelb' Operation Yellow, a strike through the Ardennes towards the English Channel to defeat the British and French.
Aircraft hit prearranged targets, while paratroopers prepared to seize vital objectives.
Before the Netherlands are attacked, a key frontier bridge is taken by "Brandenburgers", small groups of Dutch-speaking and sometimes Dutch-uniformed troops. Parachute troops are landed near The Hague and communications are soon in German hands.
Fort Eben Emael, guarding a bridge on the Begian border, is taken by German troops landing gliders on top of the caissons. Two panzer divisions move into Belgium.
Rotterdam is heavily bombed on the 14th to hasten the Dutch surrender. Rundstedt's Army Group A moves through southern Belgium, with a panzer corps under Guderian moving through the Ardennes' hills and forests.
The French, taken by surprise at armor coming through the "unpassable" Ardennes, wait for them to halt at the River Meuse. But Rommel's 7th Panzer Division crosses the river.
The same day, all of Guderian's panzers are across and racing through the open country beyond, with Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers clearing opposition before them. Their goal is to dislocate resistance.
General Ritter von Leeb's Army Group C covers France's Maginot Line, the subterranean forts and other defensive positions running along its border with Germany.
This is classic Blitzkrieg: to sustain the momentum of the advance by avoiding centers of resistance to strike the enemy's rear areas and lines of communication and supply. Bold commanders take advantage of new opportunities as they arise. Rommel solidifies his position as a brilliant and take-hands-on charge of front-line tank combat strategist.

Dutch resistance to the German attack crumbles, despite opening the flood gates and mining the Rhine River to obstruct the enemy. German forces begin to approach the Allied Dyle Line, while Belgian defenders are driven back from the Albert Canal.
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands escapes with the Dutch government to Britain on May 13. The city of Rotterdam is bombed before a cease-fire is declared on the 14th.


May 15th
The Dutch Army surrenders. One of Guderian's divisions is 40 miles (64km) beyond the Meuse and still advancing west.

May 17th
The Belgian capital, Brussels, is taken.