1940: Netherlands

Invasion by German Forces.

In 1940 for the first time since the Napoleonic era the Netherlands was invaded and conquered by a foreign army. At four o'clock on the morning of May 10 German parachute troops landed at Waalhaven, the airport of Rotterdam, and seized it. One hour later German flying boats alighted on the Maas River in the center of Rotterdam. German soldiers, who had been transported in these flying boats, occupied the bridges over the Maas and two railway stations. Almost simultaneously parachute troops landed at Delft, thirteen miles south-east of The Hague, and at Dordrecht; the Schipol aerodrome at Amsterdam was heavily bombed and German planes attacked all of the main aerodromes in the country.

At six o'clock on the same morning the German Minister in The Hague delivered to the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands an ultimatum announcing that 'an immense German force has been put into action. Any resistance is senseless. Germany guarantees that if no resistance is offered the Netherlands will retain her possessions in Europe and overseas. If resistance is offered there is the danger of the complete destruction of the country and of the machinery of the State.' As justification for his country's action the German Minister declared that his Government had undeniable proofs of an immediately imminent invasion by France and Great Britain of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. This invasion, said the German Minister, was prepared with the knowledge of the Netherlands Government.

Dutch Resistance.

Despite the ultimatum and the overwhelming superiority of the German military machine the Dutch decided on resistance. The attitude of the people was expressed by Queen Wilhelmina on May 10 in her proclamation:

'After our country with scrupulous conscientiousness had observed strict neutrality during all these months, and while Holland had no other plan than to maintain this attitude, Germany last night made a sudden attack on our territory without warning. This was done notwithstanding the solemn promise that the neutrality of our country would be respected as long as we ourselves maintained that neutrality.

'I here launch a flaming protest against this unprecedented violation of good faith and violation of all that is decent between cultured States.'

The Netherlands was by no means unprepared. In early 1940 many defensive measures had been taken of a nature to delay an invading German army. All intricate system of waterways offered many obstacles. Bridges were mined and reinforced by defensive posts. The command of the armed forces was reorganized in February when General Winkelman became Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy. Measures were taken against fifth columnists. The discovery of a widespread espionage plot was announced in February; in March two important government officials were sentenced to prison and in April the Government cancelled all military leave and the entire country was placed under a state of siege. Some Dutch Nazi leaders were arrested and others escaped into Germany. A government decree suspended the liberty of the press as from April 27 and provided for the establishment of a military censorship.

The morale of the Government was good. An official announcement in January stated: 'Any attack on this territory will meet with the most obstinate armed resistance, no matter from what quarter the attack comes.'

Capitulation of Dutch Army.

Nevertheless after four days of fighting all but small detachments of the Dutch army were defeated. The Commander-in-Chief of the Army on May 14 issued a proclamation to all troops except those in the province of Zeeland that fighting was to cease, stating: 'By a vast superiority of the most modern arms the enemy has been able to break our resistance. We have nothing with which to reproach ourselves . . . Ultimately the Netherlands will rise again as a free nation. Long live our Queen.' The next day the capitulation of the army was signed by the German Commander-in-Chief and the Dutch Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy. On the same day the Queen of the Netherlands in a broadcast in London said the spirit of her nation would remain unbroken, because the conscience of the people was clear. (See also EUROPEAN WAR.)

Affairs in Netherlands Indies.

Effects of the German invasion of the Netherlands were important not only in Europe but also in the Far East and in the Western Hemisphere. On May 10, the first day of the invasion, Allied troops landed at Curaçao and Aruba in the Netherlands West Indies 'to prevent possible German attempts at sabotage.' These islands have developed a great petroleum refining industry. The British and French troops entered the islands with the acquiescence of the Government of the United States in fulfillment of a request from the Dutch Government and no change in sovereignty was contemplated. Curaçao is less than seven hundred miles from the Panama Canal.

War in Europe caused the Japanese to show a greater interest in the Netherlands East Indies. In February the Japanese Government formally denounced the Japanese-Netherlands arbitration treaty. This action indicated that Japan wanted a free hand in case action in regard to the possessions of the Netherlands in Asia should become desirable. In April, a few days after the German attack on Norway, the Japanese Foreign Minister, Hachiro Arita, requested the Dutch Ambassador to transmit a statement on the Netherlands East Indies to The Hague. Intended apparently as a warning to the Western powers, it declared that: 'the Japanese Government cannot but be deeply concerned over any developments accompanying the aggravations of the war in Europe that may affect the status quo of the Netherlands Indies.'

Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, answered this warning by stating: 'Intervention in the domestic affairs of the Netherlands Indies or any alteration of their status quo by other than peaceful processes would be prejudicial to the cause of stability, peace, and security not only in the region of the Netherlands Indies but in the entire Pacific area.'

The Dutch reply indicated that in case the Netherlands became involved in the European war it would neither request nor accept aid from any power in protecting the East Indies. After the German invasion actually took place the Dutch authorities in the East Indies immediately took firm measures for the protection of the islands, interning German nationals and seizing German vessels. After the subjugation of the Netherlands by Germany, the authorities in the Dutch East Indies evidenced a firm intention to defend their islands. The Government took over all armament productions and voted a huge budget for 1941, half of which was to be devoted to defense purposes. (See also JAPAN.)

Government Established in London.

Queen Wilhelmina, who established her Court and Government in London, repeatedly declared the determination of the Government to fight on until they had vindicated the freedom of the Dutch people and that of all their territories. The struggle was being waged by Dutchmen who had escaped from the occupied territories and were then recruited at the side of the British, and also by the Dutch Navy, which had been able to join the British Navy almost unscathed.

Certain changes were made in the Dutch Government in exile in London in September. The resignation of the Prime Minister was announced and Professor Gerbrandy was appointed to the office. M. Welter, Minister for the Colonies, was appointed Minister of Finance, and M. van Boeyen, the Home Minister, was appointed ad interim to be head of the Department of General Affairs. Princess Juliana, with her children, established her residence in Canada. She visited the United States in December.

German Régime in Netherlands.

Meanwhile the Germans lost no time in establishing a new order in the Netherlands. Dr. Seyss-Inquart, former Austrian Minister of the Interior, on May 18 was appointed Reich Commissioner for the Netherlands with supreme authority over the civilian population. He is assisted by an advisory staff of German specialists including the former Austrian Minister of Finance, Dr. Hans Fischboeck. Direct responsibility for the execution of measures dictated by the German authorities is borne by a Dutch administrative committee composed of General Secretaries of the various Departments of State. All the Provincial Commissioners who had served under Queen Wilhelmina were dismissed. Dutch Nazis were appointed Mayors of several small towns. A 'National Committee for Economic Collaboration' was formed under the chairmanship of Dr. Fentener van Vlissinger, former chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce. Government bureaus were formed, similar to those in Germany, to control the distribution of raw materials and production.

German occupation of the Netherlands has caused great economic dislocation and privation. It is estimated that almost one-half of the former normal foreign trade of the country has been cut off by the British blockade. The Germans are attempting to re-direct Dutch exports particularly to the Baltic region, Belgium, and Switzerland.

Restrictions have been imposed on the sale of all commodities. The sale of gasoline and rubber has been prohibited. Bread has been rationed. Instructions have been given to reduce the poultry by over 60 per cent because of the scarcity of chicken feed. Ration cards for domestic pets have been issued owing to the scarcity of food for animals. The Germans have confiscated nearly all of the country's butter reserves; the slaughtering of pigs has been accelerated; large quantities of early potatoes have been shipped to Germany; and cattle have been transported to Germany due to a lack of fodder. There is a severe shortage of coal and various articles of clothing, particularly shoes.

Friction between Dutch Population and Germans.

There are indications of increasing friction between the Dutch population and the German occupying authorities. In July General Winkelmann, Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Forces was arrested and sent to Germany, and his office was abolished. The Burgomaster of The Hague was dismissed from office. Several newspapers have been suspended for maintaining an unfriendly attitude towards the Germans. A proclamation issued by the German Commander-in-Chief, put into force special measures, including the death penalty, against any persons assaulting the German authorities. German criminal law is now enforced throughout the country. The Burgomaster of Amsterdam issued a proclamation in July warning the people to show 'a more correct attitude' towards the German troops. In August a decree of Dr. Seyss-Inquart stated that: 'in view of the approaching Royal birthdays (those of Queen Wilhelmina and Princess Irene) all demonstrations of loyalty to the House of Orange will be considered as directed against the occupying forces and will be punished accordingly.'

Many prominent politicians have been arrested as a reprisal for the internment of Germans in the Netherlands Indies. But the spirit of the Dutch people does not seem to be broken. After several months under the German yoke, Protestant groups all over the country united in a protest to Dr. Seyss-Inquart against a decree which excluded Jews from government service.

The year 1940 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the darkest and most tragic in the history of the Netherlands.