This Day in the War in Europe: The Beginning (1 Viewer)

[parsifal]

10 May 1940 (Part II
OPERATIONS [CONT'D]
North Sea (cont'd)
Operation off the Dutch Coast (Cont'd)
DDs WHITSHED and VERITY were recalled from patrol to embark demolition parties for the Dutch ports. DD WHITSHED departed Dover with the demolition party XD.A of 158 naval ratings and sappers for the locks at Ijmuiden and the oil reserves at Amsterdam.
In numerous air attacks at Ijmuiden, DD WHITSHED was damaged by near misses and set afire. 4 ratings were killed and 8 men wounded. She departed Ijmuiden that night for Dover, with the mission completed 11th. DD WHITSHED was repaired alongside Depot ship SANDHURST in 24 hrs. In Operation XD, departing Dover midday 10th were DDs VERITY carrying demolition party XD.C for the port of Flushing, WILD SWAN with XD.B for the Hook of Holland, BRILLIANT with XD D. for Antwerp. DDs VERITY and BRILLIANT. DD VERITY departed Flushing later the same day and arrived back at Dover on the 11th. DDs WILD SWAN and BRILLIANT remained at their ports to support the evacuations. During the afternoon of 11 May, DD WILD SWAN bombarded a wooded area to the east of Hook Of Holland. WILD SWAN and BRILLIANT arrived back at Dover on the 12th. DD HYPERION at sea was ordered to land a party for the demolition of the port of Rotterdam.

Subs L.23, L.26, H.28, H.44, H.49, H.50 were ordered to depart the Downs to patrol off the Dutch coast. Subs L.23 and L.26 departed on the 10th escorted by PC WARRIOR II (266grt) for patrol. On 11 May, H.28, H.44, H.49, H.50 departed the Downs escorted by sloop FOXGLOVE for patrol. DDs HYPERION and HAVOCK of the BIRMINGHAM force and WILD SWAN and WIVERN from Dover were ordered on the 11th to Rotterdam to assist in resisting the Germans and neutralizing the airfield at Waalhaven. However,they were redeployed off Hook of Holland in view of VAN GALEN's fate and LW air supremacy in the area.

Northern Waters
Sub SEVERN arrived at Dundee after patrol.

ORP troopship CHROBRY (11,442grt) with DDs SOMALI and ESCORT arrived at Harstad. Harstad Force at this time was included BB RESOLUTION, CLs AURORA (damaged), EFFINGHAM, ENTERPRISE, CLAs CAIRO, COVENTRY, CURLEW, various destroyers. A LW air raid on Skelfjord inflicted damage and 5 killed on CL PENELOPE by splinters from near misses and DD VANSITTART was hit by a small bomb putting her after guns out of action. Destroyer VANSITTART suffered 4 wounded. Late on the 10th, CL PENELOPE departed Skelfjord towed by sea going tug BANDIT. Also departing was DD ISIS, which had damaged propellers, under the tow of seagoing tug BUCCANEER. Two Brit steamer proceeded in this convoy. DDs CAMPBELL and WITCH and ASW trawler ST LOMAN provided protection for the convoy. The convoy was taken under LW air attack on the 10th and CLA COVENTRY later joined the convoy for support. Following this duty, COVENTRY returned to the Lofotens on the 11th. CLA CALCUTTA was also with the convoy on the 10th after she had dealt with the German steamer NORD NORGE. After arriving in Vestfjord on the 11th, DD ESCORT was detached to join the convoy. DD ZULU joined the convoy on the 11th from Hemnes. At dawn on the 14th, CL PENELOPE, DD ISIS, tugs BUCCANEER and BANDIT, DDs ZULU, ESCORT, WITCH, tkr BRITISH VALOUR, MV LOCHEE, ASW trawler ST LOMAN were well clear. DD ACASTA departed Scapa on the 14th to relieve DD ZULU. DD CAMPBELL was detached to refuel at Sullom Voe, after r3efuelling she rejoined the convoy on the 14th. DD WITCH refuelled at Scapa arriving on the 15th. She departed to rejoin the convoy the same day 15th. The ships all safely arrived at the Clyde late on the 16th. On the 16th, CL PENELOPE under tow of tug BANDIT with DDs ACASTA and ESCORT arrived at Greenock. DDs CAMPBELL, WITCH, ISIS (under tow of tug BUCCANEER) arrived at Greenock on the 16th. On the 18th, DD ISIS departed the Clyde under the tow of tug BUCCANEER escort DD WITCH. They safely arrived at Falmouth on the 20th. DD WITCH was detached to Plymouth to boiler and repair arriving on the 21st. DD ISIS was under repair until 13 June when she was taken to Plymouth repairing until 12 September.

Separately to the above op, 4 Fr steamers 2 Br steamers, and a Br tkr escort DDs EPERVIER, ELECTRA, ILEX departed Narvik during the forenoon for the Clyde. On arrival in North Channel, DD ILEX took the tkr to Liverpool. On the 17th, the Br steamers and Fr steamer ST FIRMIN with DD ELECTRA now escorting arrived at Greenock. The Fr DD and the Fr steamers proceeded ahead of the convoy and proceeded to return to France.

DDs HASTY and HAVANT departed Scapa for Aberdeen to escort Br steamers LOCHNAGAR (1619grt), HORSA (979grt), MACCLESFIELD (1018grt). The rendezvous was made off Aberdeen on the 11th. All the ships arrived safely at Lerwick on the 12th.
DD HAVANT was diverted to the Clyde, where she arrived late on the 12th. DD HASTY was ordered to wait to escort cable ship MONARCH to Scapa. Early on the 13th, DD HASTY and the cable ship arrived at Scapa from Lerwick.

DD VISCOUNT departed Scapa on the 10th for Carrier escort. She arrived in the Clyde on the 11th. ORP DDs BLYSKAWICA and BURZA and DD GRAFTON departed Vestfjord for Scapa arriving on the 12th. DD BLYSKAWICA's steering gear was out of order. She was towed by tug MENDON alongside depot ship WOOLWICH for repairs. DD BLYSKAWICA boiler cleaned from depot ship WOOLWICH before departing Scapa on the 16th for Harwich. ASW trawler PRESTON NORTHEND, escorting oiler ATHOL EMPRESS to Cape Wrath, attacked a U-Boat contact.

West Coast UK

Western Approaches
Almost immediately after the invasion, the RN began to strip out various commands to reinforce Nore Cmd. Most affected were the Western Approaches Convoy Cmds and Home Flt.

Fast escort ship VIVIEN of Convoy Cmd was detached from the Rosyth Cmd, DDs VIMY, VERSATILE, WESSEX, WALPOLE, WINDSOR, VESPER, VIVACIOUS, VENETIA came from various Western Approaches Flotillas to come under the command of the CinC Nore on 10 May. DD VENETIA had arrived as an escort for an outbound convoy, but she was retained for operations in the Nth Sea. The DD departed Dover on the 11th for Harwich. DDs VIMY and VERSATILE of DesFlot 11 departed Liverpool on the 7th. DDs WINDSOR of DesFlot 18 and VESPER, WALPOLE and WESSEX of DesFlot 17 departed Plymouth to join Nore Cmd late on the 10th. DDs VIVACIOUS and VENETIA were already at Sheerness on the 10th. DDs VIMY and WINDSOR arrived at Dover on the 11th. DDs VERSATILE, VESPER, WALPOLE, WESSEX, WOLSEY arrived at Dover on the 12th. Within a few days, DDs CODRINGTON, GALLANT, GRIFFIN, WOLFHOUND, MOHAWK, VALOROUS, VEGA, VANESSA, VERITY also came under his cmd.

DD CODRINGTON departed Scapa and arrived on the 11th at Dover to join the Nore Cmd. Following refuelling, she departed on the 11th for Ijmuiden to evacuate Dutch Princess Juliana and her family to England on the 12th. DD GRIFFIN departed Rosyth and arrived at Dover on the 11th to join the Nore Cmd. Following refuelling, DD GRIFFIN departed Dover on the 11th for ops off the Dutch coast. DD GALLANT departed Scapa for Dover on the 9th. DD WOLFHOUND departed Portland after working up on the 14th and arrived at Sheerness on the 15th. DD VANESSA was refitting at Plymouth and did not participate. DD MALCOLM was on Nth Goodwins patrol. Fr steamer COTE D'AZUR cleared Dunkirk, escort DDs FOUGUEUX, FRONDEUR, INCOMPRISE, BRANLEBAS. The escort was joined by DDs BOUCLIER and MELPOMENE. The steamer arrived at Flushing 11 May. PC PINTAIL escort Sub TIGRIS passed Dover westbound.

Med- Biscay
BB WARSPITE passed Gib on the 5th, escort DDs DOUGLAS and VORTIGERN, replaced later by DDs VELOX, VORTIGERN, KEPPEL. On the 7th, she departed Malta escort RAN DDs VENDETTA, VOYAGER, WATERHEN. On the 10th, BB WARSPITE arrived at Alexandria. Her escort was detached for patrol as she entered harbour and arrived later in the day. Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham ("ABC") rehoisted his flag on WARSPITE on the 11th. With the arrival of WARSPITE and subsequent heavy reinforcements, Fr BBs PROVENCE and BRETAGNE, returned to Mer el Kebir in the 3rd week of May.


Indian Ocean
DDs DECOY and DEFENDER departed Aden and joined ANZAC US.2 as it entered the Red Sea on the 12th. DKM Raider ATLANTIS laid mines off Cape Algulhas, near Capetown, Sth Africa. This minefield was discovered by Sth African Aux MSW ARISTEA before any damage was done.

 

[parsifal]

10 May 1940- The BEF

The BEF received a signal from the French Supreme Allied HQ issuing a full "alerte" and releasing the codeword to begin Plan D, the deep penetration advance into Belgium. At this juncture, the LW made no serious attempts to bomb or impede the advance of the British and French forces. The LW was busy at that time pounding the allied airfields and lines of communication and secondly they wanted the allies to advance into Belgium.

MS 406 May 1940. Many allied a/c were hit on the ground in the opening assault

Amiot 143 - Some success at night, torn to pieces in suicidal daylight attacks


The Dyle line to which the British and French Armies were advancing was a line between Antwerp and Sedan. It incorporated a number of natural obstacles to impede a tank advance except in an area between Wavre and Namur, where the Belgians had made some attempt to fortify the line.

Gamelins HQ had assumed they could reach the Dyle line before having to engage in combat, but the success of the assault on Eben Emanuel enabled Panzer forces to establish bridgeheads at certain key points. Counterattacks by the Belgian 7th Inf XX were unable to dislodge the wehrmacht toeholds, but the Belgians held firm otherwise and resisted strongly. The line along the Albert canal ( a defensive position somewhat east of the Dyle) was held until the eving of the 11May

A section of the Dyle River, target of the Allied defensive plans 1940

The BEF advance into Belgium

Universal Carrier tracked vehicles advancing to the Dyle

10 May Air Operations (unfinished)
On the first day, the pace of operations is frenetic. The fighter units of the AASF and the BEF air component shoot down a total of 40 enemy a/c in exchange for the loss of 10 hurricanes. Allied bomber formations perform far less effectively.
1 Sqn (Hurri)
F/L P.P. Hanks claims a Do17 destroyed, near Verdun, 05.00 hrs. P/O P.W. Mould claims a He111 destroyed, near Verdun, 05.00 hrs. F/O Billy Drake claims a He111 destroyed, near Verdun, 05.00 hrs. F/O M.H. Brown claims a Do17 destroyed, near Metz, 06.00 hrs F/L P.R. Walker, F/O P.H.M. Richey, F/O J.I. Kilmartin and Sgt F.J. Soper share in the destruction of this Do17

3 Sqn
F/O Raymond Lines-Roberts in L1923. Took off from Merville. Engine damaged by return fire from He 111 of I./KG27 engaged over Lille. Crashed in dead-stick landing in forest near Fieffe. Pilot safe. He 111 survives, but is later scrapped.


2 Sqn (Lysander)
No. 2 and 4 Sqn moved forward to Lille-Ronchin. 2 Squadron went into Belgium with 17 Lysanders and, so as to provide the widest cover for the B.E.F., dispersed about 3 a/c to each of the airfields at Abbeville, Bethune, Roncq, Lille and Brussels.

9, 37, 38, 75 (NZ), 99, 115, 149, Sqns (Wellington)
Raid on WaalHaven (10/11 May)

During the late evening and the night several bomber flights from the RAF paid a visit to Waalhaven. These 36 Wellington medium bombers dropped a total of 58 tonnes of bombes [each plane dropped 18 off 200 lbs bombs] on the airfield itself and the direct surroundings. The only enemy opposition they faced was the light FLAK that had been flown in during the 10th [2 cm AA]. The majority of the planes operated from an altitude of 2,000 - 2,500 feet - well within the range of the FLAK. The raids started around 2230 hours and lasted until about 0400. No aircrafts were shot down and only one crew member returned home wounded [from shrapnel].
- 6 Wellingtons No.9 Sq.
- 3 Wellingtons No.37 Sq.
- 6 Wellingtons No.38 Sq.
- 3 Wellingtons No.75 [NZ] Sq.
- 6 Wellingtons No.99 Sq.
- 6 Wellingtons No.115 Sq.
- 6 Wellingtons No.149 Sq.


15 Sqn (Blen)
Separately, 8 Blens also bombed Waalhaven airport near Rotterdam, which had been captured by German paratroops. From this attack all a/c returned safely, although some were seriously damaged.

AASF Battles
The overall British commander, Air Marshal Barratt, acting on his own initiative, orders 32 Battles from Nos 12, 103, 105, 142, 150, 218 and 226 Sqns to attack German troops advancing through Luxembourg at noon. They are hacked to pieces. 13 are shot down by mobile AA. The remainder all suffer damage of some kind. In a second attack during the afternoon, a further 10 Battles from 32 ordered into the air are lost to LW ftrs and flak.

18 sqn (Blen
P/O P.D. Smith - unhurt Sgt C.J. Ham - unhurtLAC Shepherd - unhurt ; A/C L9185 damaged, Took off from Méharicourt. Returned damaged by AA and attack by enemy ftrs during low-level recon of the river Maas to Venlo, 10.15 hrs. A/C repaired.

P/O GF. Harding, KIA Sgt (WO) K N. Shrosbree, KIA LAC R.B.H. Townsend-Coles - POW , A/C L1405 lost, Low level recon of the river Maas to Venlo. Believed crashed at Breyell, 10.20 hrs. Possibly that claimed by Oberlt Steinhoff (Staffelkapitän) of 11.(N)/JG2 near Düsseldorf.LAC Townsend-Coles, was promoted to W/O whilst a PoW, died in captivity, reportedly executed because of his escape attempt 15/07/1944 ….the "Great Escape"

37 sqn (Wellington): (see entry for 9 sqn)
38 sqn (Wellington): (see entry for 9 sqn)

40 sqn (Blenheim)
Airborne 0915 from Wyton. Shot down in the vicinity of Den Haag (Zuid Holland) whilst enagaged in armed recon . The crew were all wounded and taken prisoner. A/C L8776 lost

S/L B. Paddon Sgt J.A.D. Beattie P/O W.G. Edwards, all safe L8833. was lost on return leg of armed recon over Holland. lost after force landing was one of 5 40 Sqn Blens lost on this day. Airborne 0905 from Wyton. Attacked by a Ju88 soon after crossing the Dutch coast. Aborted mission , on return flight to base an engine caught fire and the a/c crashed landed at 1220, the crew escaping injury.

10th May 1940: 12 Blenheims of 40 Sqdn. despatched to bomb Ypenburg airfield. 8 or 9 aircraft bombed primary, 1 bombed a landing ground 5 miles W of Leyden and 1 also strafed enemy aircraft parked along beach from The Hague to Noordwick. 3 a/c failed to return, 1 of these being shot down by enemy aircraft after bombing primary.
8 KIA, 1 PoW, 3 a/c lost

46 Sqn (Hurri)
While HMS Glorious at Greenock completes the embarkation of 46 Sqn's Hurricanes, the reconstituted 263 Sqn, with 18 new Gladiator IIs, is moving to the Fleet Air Arm station at Cambeltown (on the Clyde) in preparation to joining HMS Furious, now repaired and ready for further service.

53 sqn (Blen)
German Bomber attack, Metz, France. 2 a/c damaged (1 abandoned later)
A/C caught on the ground at Metz in bombing attack. Damaged but repairable, 1a/c later abandoned.
Reconnaissance, B, 1 a/c damaged (abandoned later), Damaged by light Flak during recce sortie over Belgium and was abandoned after the crew landed to report at the advanced airfield at Vitry-en-Artois, 11.40 hrs

54 sqn (spit)
UK based sqn 2 losses this day, both pilots buried in Calais. Unknown Op.

57 sqn (Blen)
Recon (NL) reconnaissance, NL. 1 a/c lost, 1 a/c damaged, 3 KIA. Possibly that claimed by Lt Fluder of 5./JG27 west of Nijmegen, 12.08 hrs.

73 sqn (Hurri)
Interception, France 1 a/c lost, 2 a/c damaged. 1 WIA, No. 73 Sqn shot down 1 of 9 Do 215s intercepted while on patrol over Metz. Plt dived on the enemy but overshot, turned quickly and brought down another. Believed damaged by return fire 4./KG3. A/c repairable. 2nd a/c hit in glycol system by concentrated cross-fire from Do 17's of 4./KG3 over base, crash-landed in flames then exploded, pilot safe. 3rd a/c also damaged but repairable by 4/KG3

110 sqn (Blen)
At 17.30 hours an unknown number of Blen Mk.IV and Mk.I bombed and strafed landed German Ju-52 transports on the beach near The Hague. The bombing Blenheims [IV] were of the No. 110 Sqn and were escorted by the MK. I's of No. 604 Sqn. During this mission Blenheim L1517 of 604 Sqn crashed near Wassenaar. The RAF a/c destroyed 4 enemy planes.

 

[parsifal]

10 May 1940 - Assault on Holland, - some pictures

Dutch horse drawn artillery retreating towards "Fortress Holland"

Paradrops and air landings into Holland

DAF M-39. In January 1940 the 4th Regiment Huzaren was planned to be the first equipped with the new model, followed by the 1st Regiment Huzaren and 2nd Regiment Huzaren, respectively based at Deventer, Amersfoort and Breda. However, only training was supposed to take place, until the units were fit for operations in 1941. The delays altered these plans, and by November 1939 the task to train crews was hastily given to the newly formed Cavalry Depot relocated at The Hague. In the end, due to postponed deliveries, the unit commander in charge of the four cavalry squadrons had to form his crews with two obsolete makeshift armored cars used during the great depression, and a handful of Carden Loyd tankettes detached from the defense of the Waalhaven airfield. When Fall Blau started, on 10th May, 1940, four vehicles were completed, parked in DAF factory Eindhoven, eight were stationed at Delft, defending the sector between the seat of the government, The Hague and Rotterdam. Two saw action on the 11th of May to support depot companies on the road to Rotterdam, unsuccessfully blocking the German advance. Another saw action at Delft and another helped to suppress the last pocket of German paras on 14th May at Overschie. The five available at The Hague were transferred to the Commander Fortress Holland and remained there, patrolling the streets fearing action form a supposedly fifth column and prevent Germans paras actions. However, on the 14th of May Commander Henri Winkelman ordered the remaining vehicles to be sabotaged and some were driven into the sea at Scheveningen. The four at DAF Factory were supposed to join the 4e Compagnie Korps Motordienst, but never made it. Lacking crews and ammunition, they were abandoned en route to Zeeland on 13-14 May.

German units were in dire need of armored cars, captured ones were welcomed and a handful of repaired and overhauled M39's saw service with recon units as the Panzerspähwagen DAF 201 (h)9, painted in the standard Dunkelgrau, and sporting large Balkankreuz. The design had attracted the attention of the Waffenamt, but they nevertheless never attempted to resume the production. At least four were handed over to the Army Group "North" and used extensively throughout the summer and autumn of 1941, seeing action during the siege of Leningrad. Eight other captures were used in training units until 1943 and then disposed of. None survived the war and the much improved M40 postwar production project for service in the Far East was postponed and finally abandoned.

 

[Njaco]

May 10 Friday
WESTERN FRONT:
THE INVASION OF FRANCE AND THE LOW COUNTRIES
'Operation FALL GELB' is finally launched as German forces begin 'Operation Sichelschnitt' (Sickle Stroke), a surprise assault against Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium. The German plan is to send an armed force into Holland and Belgium to attract the Allied Armies to that area, away from the Ardennes while another larger force cuts through the thick forests and smash through the thin French lines near Sedan and race to the Channel, trapping the Allies in a pincer movement. Heeresgruppe C (Leeb) holds the German frontier opposite the French Maginot Line while Heeresgruppe A (Rundstedt) makes the main attack through the Ardennes and Heeresgruppe B (Bock) makes a secondary advance through Belgium and Holland to draw the main British and French forces north. This is the plan finally ordered by Hitler, because after being encouraged and convinced by Generalfeldmarschall Göring, the Führer wants to secure the neutral countries of Holland and Belgium so that the British cannot use those country's airfields to fly sorties over the battle area against the Germans.

Also to be used for the first time on a large scale are troops brought in by parachute, glider and transport plane whose task it will be to drop deep behind enemy lines and secure numerous bridges, airfields and communications for the approaching German Armies. The leader of this new form of warfare is Major General Kurt Student. A former Fighter Squadron leader in World War I and former aircraft trainer at the secret flight schools in Russia, Student had never parachuted before. But this did not stop him from convincing Hitler to use his 7th Air Division Fallschirmjäger in the invasion.

Nearly 4,000 German warplanes, including over 1,000 single engine fighters, sweep into France, Holland and Belgium in support of the German invasion. The air units involved in the invasion are divided between General der Flieger Albert Kesselring's Luftflotte 2 and General der Flieger Hugo von Sperrle's Luftflotte 3 containing Generalmajor Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen VIII Fliegerkorps, General Keller's IV Fliegerkorps, General Grauert's I Fliegerkorps , Generalleutnant von Greim's V Fliegerkorps and General Bruno Loerzer's II Fliegerkorps.

76 German divisions cross a 175-mile front into Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. British and French troops enter Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to counter the German attack. During the day, Heeresgruppe A strikes, with three armored corps in the lead, heading for Sedan, Montherme and Dinant. The advance is rapid and the little opposition, mostly French cavalry, is thrown aside. To the north, Heeresgruppe B carries out parachute landings deep inside Holland which do much to paralyze Dutch resistance, while German units cross the Maas River near Arnhem and the Belgian fort at Eben Emael.

At the end of the day the German advance has gone almost exactly according to plan. German tanks penetrated more than 10 miles into the Dutch border by the end of the day. British and French leaders enacted the Dyle Plan in response to the invasion. The Allied Plan D provides for the French 1st Army Group (General Billotte), consisting of the British Expeditionary Force (General Lord Gort) and the French 7th Army (General Giraud) to advance to the line of the Dyle River and the Meuse River above Namur, to be joined there by the Belgian forces and on the left to link with the Dutch. General Gamelin is the Allied Supreme Commander and General Georges commands the armies on the French Northeast Front. The Allies react quickly to the German attacks as soon as they hear of them from the Belgians. By the evening much of the Dyle line has been occupied but the troops find that there are no fortifications to compare with the positions they have prepared along the Franco-Belgian frontier during the Phony War period. Some of the reserve is therefore committed to strengthen the line. Some of the advance forces of French 7th Army make contact with the Germans in southern Holland and are roughly handled. British soldiers cross the North Sea, landing on the Netherlands coast at several points.

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[Njaco]

May 10 Friday (continued)
LUXEMBOURG: German tanks crossed into neutral Luxembourg with relative ease, reaching the edge of the Ardennes Forest; the royal family of Luxembourg was evacuated to the south. 32 British Battles bombers attack German columns in Luxembourg. 13 planes are shot down; all others are damaged.
BELGIUM: At 0430 hours, forty-one Ju 52s towing forty-one gliders loaded with paratroopers of Assault Detachment Koch assault the Belgium fortress of Eben Emael and the three bridges over the Albert canal at Vroenhoven, Veldwezelt and Kanne, pinning down the 700 Belgian defenders. Nine 10-man DFS230 gliders descend over Dutch territory, having been pulled by Junker 52 transport planes from airfields near Cologne, Germany, landing on the roof of Belgium's Fort Eban Emael. Engineers quickly set explosive charges in gun barrels, casemates, and exit passages, sealing in the 650-man garrison. The modern fortress is knocked out and held by seventy-two paratroopers of Detachment Granite. They hold the fort for nearly twenty-four hours until the German Army arrives. 1,200 Belgium soldiers of the fort surrender to the Germans at a cost to the invaders of only six paratroopers killed and twenty wounded. The Ju 52s that drop the troops are used later in the afternoon to drop dummy paratroops behind Belgium forces and cause confusion; a trick the German High Command forgets about four years later at Normandy.

Despite strong fortified airfields the Luftwaffe paratroop objectives are achieved. Three Belgium fighter squadrons are destroyed on the ground by the Luftwaffe along with three out of four squadrons trying to transfer to Brusthem. The first Luftwaffe kill of the campaign is claimed by Hptm. Ultsch of I./JG 21 who intercepts and shoots down a Belgian Fox biplane. Bf 109's attack nine Fairey Battle fighters with the result that three Battles are shot from the sky and the rest severely damaged. Another Battle falls under the guns of future Experte Lt. Hans-Ekkehard Bob. The Henschel Hs 123 biplanes of II (Schlacht)./LG 2 support the German 6th Army's smash through Belgium.

The Belgian government calls on English and French troops to enter the country to aid in its defense. The Belgian Government declares Brussels an open city, with no troops defending it, and for no troops to pass through the city. General Bernard Montgomery's forward units arrived, just after dark, to take up their designated positions on the eastern approaches to Brussels. They were fired upon by Belgian soldiers who took them for German infiltrators.
HOLLAND: German parachute and airborne forces begin landing to secure key bridges in Holland at Rotterdam, Dordrecht, and Moerdijk. Some parachutists are disguised as Netherland soldiers, farm boys, and Roman Catholic nuns. German paratroopers quickly secured key bridges and airfields around Rotterdam and the Hague, but the plan to land troops at the Ypenburg airfield to capture the Dutch political leaders was foiled when Dutch fighters shot down 18 German Ju 52 transport planes. The Netherlands Army Air Force is alerted before the assault and readies its air force – 132 aircraft including twenty-three of the new Fokker G-Ia and twenty-eight Fokker D.XXIs – at the airfields of Amsterdam-Schipol, Bergen, De Kooy, Ypenburg and Waalhaven. Fighters from JG 26 clear a path in advance of Ju 52 transports loaded with paratroopers who are dropped on the three main airfields of The Hague and Moerdijk Bridges over the Old Maas River near Rotterdam. Pilots of JG 26 'Schlageter' claim five Dutch aircraft for this action including Hptm. Seifert of 3./JG 26 who claims his first victory, a Fokker D.XXI near Rotterdam. Some of the Ju 52s with escorting Bf 110s of I./ZG 1 led by Hptm. Werner Streib, drop paratroops over Waalhaven airfield and by 1000 hours the airfield is in German hands. By noon over one hundred transports have dropped off over 1,200 infantry soldiers. But not before suffering some casualties. One group of troopers are dropped from a Ju 52 directly over a blazing section of hangars with twelve of the soldiers burning to death in their chutes. Shortly after the first attack, Hptm. Streib and his Zerstörers are able to fend off an attack by six Blenheims of RAF No 600 Squadron sent to defend the airfield. Only one British bomber escapes destruction from the Bf 110s and returns to its base at Manston, England.


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[Njaco]

May 10 Friday (continued)
At the twin bridges at Moerdijk, paratroopers land on both sides of the waterway and capture the bridges within minutes. Five miles north of the Moerdijk bridges, at the bridge at Dordrecht, the Fallschirmjäger are able to prevent the Dutch from blowing up the bridge there.

Not all of the bridges fall by soldiers falling from the sky. At 0700 hours, twelve He 59 floatplanes fly down the New Maas River and land near the Willems Bridge and release one hundred and twenty infantry and engineers. Quickly establishing positions on both sides of the Willems and a smaller bridge nearby, the soldiers are for the most part ignored by the Dutch. Soon, however, a Dutch garrison nearby arrives and the Germans are trapped and outnumbered on both sides of the river. But before long, a tram arrives, ringing its bells and delivering fifty heavily armed Fallschirmjäger under the command of Oblt. Horst Kerfin who immediately split into two groups -one rushing to the north bank and the other taking up positions on the south bank. There the Germans fight the Dutch until finally relieved by an infantry force sent from the paratroopers at Waalhaven airfield.

Bombers of KG 4 attack other Dutch airfields but their commander, Kommodore Oberst Martin Fiebig is one of eleven bombers shot down and taken prisoner. Lt. Wolfgang Ludewig of 9./JG 26 is ordered to find General Graf von Sponeck, who has lost contact with his forces at Den Haag. After several tries at landing and being damaged in the process, Lt. Ludewig force lands and is taken prisoner by the Allies.

The aircrew of II(J)./TrGr186 have a busy day, shooting down eight Fokker D.XXIs – one by Ofw. Kurt 'Kuddel' Ubben and two by Uffz. Herbert Kaiser of 5(J)./TrGr186 - but lose one Bf 109 to Allied fighters near Den Helder and a Bf 109 to ground fire near Borkum. Oblt. Dieter Robitzsch, Staffelkapitän of 5 Staffel is shot down by a Dutch Fokker D. XXI, flown by Lt. Jan van Overvest, and crash lands on De Kooy airfield where he is taken prisoner. Fokker D.XXIs of Ja V.A. from De Kooy give the Luftwaffe trouble as they are able to shoot down four Bf 109Es and harass most of the airborne operations over the Dutch airfields. Dutch anti-aircraft fire also destroys several German fighters and transports. At Schipol airfield, Bf 109s catch Fokkers of 5e Ja V. A. as they try to take off and destroy two Fokkers of 2e Ja. V. A. on the ground.
FRANCE: The first major German air attacks on French objectives take place against air fields, railroads and stations, coal mines, and factories. The Luftwaffe's mission for the invasion is the destruction of the French Armee de L'Air and its main airbases at Dijon, Lyon, Metz, Nancy and Romilly along with supporting general von Kleist's thrust through the Ardennes. Due to poor recon and intelligence, Luftwaffe attacks are not very successful and air attacks over France are mixed. Only thirty-one of ninety-one airfields are actually attacked, leaving the Allies plenty of warplanes to react against further Luftwaffe missions.

At 0345 hours bombers from 1 and 2 Staffel of KG 2 are ordered to attack the airfield at Reims-Champagne. The first attempt fails and the formation has to turn around and fly another attack. The French are now alarmed and the second attack is met with heavy anti-aircraft fire. The French bomber squadrons I and II/15 and the BEF No. 226 Squadron lose some aircraft on the ground from the attack.

At 0425 hours, bombers from III./KG 2 attack the airfields at Mourmelon and Challerange. During the flight, flight-mechanic Fw. Glenz falls through the bottom door of the Dornier over Diedenhofen and is knocked unconscious upon landing. He is soon captured. The squadron continues to Mourmelon and destroys numerous Fairey Battles of RAF No. 88 Squadron on the airfield. On the return flight, the formation is attacked by about twenty Moranes. They succeed in damaging the plane of Lt. Krieger but he is able to crash in German territory at Kaiserlautern. The attack by the French Moranes is soon broken up by sixteen Bf 110s from I./ZG 2.

At 0456 hours, bombers from 4./KG 2 attack the airfield at Basse Yutz near Diedenhofen. French fighters attack the formation and four Do 17s are damaged. The Dornier of Uffz. Schiwek is attacked four separate times and causes the mechanic Fw. Ottlik to fall out of the bomber. He parachutes to the ground and is captured. After the fourth pass by the fighters, Uffz. Schiwek has an engine catch fire and he turns the plane around and heads for base. He crashes near Merzig after the second engine fails. A second plane of the formation, Fw. Schmid's Do17, is hit by fighters and he, too, leaves the formation. He crashes on French territory and the crew is captured. The third plane is so heavily damaged that the crew decides to bail out. The parachute of Uffz. Struven gets caught by the antenna of the bomber and he goes down with the plane. The fourth plane manages to get back to base at Katzweiler with a burning engine.

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[Njaco]

May 10 Friday (continued)
At 0510 hours 5./KG 2 attacks the airfield at Chatel Chehery. As the squadron passes over the Luxembourg-French border they are attacked by French fighters. The formation loses no aircraft although one member of the squadron is killed and another wounded.

At 0530 hours 3./KG 2 takes off to attack the French airfield at Stenay on the Maas river. The mission is accomplished without any serious enemy defenses or casualties. The Dorniers of 6./KG 2 are attacked by enemy fighters over the Reims-Mourmelon area and lose two bombers. Four German bombers drop bombs on Méry-sur-Oise, twenty miles from Paris, France.

After the first attacks in the morning, KG 2 transfer to prepared forward airfields at Biblis, Geinsheim and Grossostheim. At 1315 hours the III Gruppe of KG 2 attacks the airfield in the area between Metz and Verdun. The 3 and 9 Staffel of KG 2 along with I./JG 76 attack the airfield at Etain-Darmont.

By the end of the day the Luftwaffe claim fifty-six British and French aircraft destroyed at a cost of 128 aircraft of their own. Although the Luftwaffe does not destroy the few warplanes available to the Allies, many are lost by the rapid movement of the German armies as they race through France and overtake French airfields.

Along with the invasion, many Luftwaffe units leave their airfields in Germany and take over new airfields in France as the assault advances. One of the first to transfer is Obstlt. Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp's Stab./JG 2 who leave the base at Frankfurt and settle in at the airfield at Wengerohr.

GERMANY: Adolf Hitler arrives at his bunker near Aachen, Germany, to direct operation 'Fall Gelb' (Case Yellow), the attack on Western Europe. Hitler gives his Order of the Day to the German troops, saying;

"The fight beginning today decides the fate of the German nation for the next 1000 years."

German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop informs the foreign press that Germany had seized the initiative by anticipating Anglo-French aggression in the Ruhr area over Netherlands and Belgian territory. He presents evidence that Netherlands and Belgium were not acting as neutrals, that they were defending only the German border, and allowing British and French assistance in attempting revolution in Germany. German forces in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg would act as protectors and take steps to ensure their neutrality.

The first flight of a new type of combat aircraft, the Arado 240, is completed but the aircraft has problems including instability at all three axes. This is another example of the waste of time and effort on inadequate designs.

UNITED KINGDOM: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain had decided overnight to resign from this post, but the news of the German invasion of France and the Low Countries gave him second thoughts. Nevertheless, he decided to continue his plan to resign. At Buckingham Palace, London, England, King George VI asks Winston Churchill to form a new government. By midnight new British Prime Minister Winston Churchill completes the forming of his government. Clement Attlee is made Lord Privy Seal, Arthur Greenwood is made Minister Without-Portfolio. Anthony Eden is made Secretary of State for War. Sir Archibald Sinclair is made Air Secretary.

RAF Kirton in Lindsey was officially opened as the Fighter Command base responsible for the air defense of the Humber area in northern England, United Kingdom. It had its satellites Coleby Grange, south of Lincoln, and Hibaldstow, just three miles away. No. 222 Squadron, whose pilots included the legendary Douglas Bader, were moved north with their Spitfire fighters from Duxford and were joined by the Hurricane fighters of No. 253 Squadron from Kenley. Bader was later to recall his time at Kirton as the period of "fun" for the squadron.

NORTH AMERICA: US Secretary of State Hull reiterated that the United States would not stand for any country establishing a protectorate over the Dutch East Indies. In response, the Japanese Foreign Minister indicated Japan's desire to maintain the political and economic status quo in the Pacific region.

NORTHERN EUROPE: In Norway, British forces are sent south from Harstad to Mo-i-Rana to join the small units trying to delay the German advance to relieve the Narvik force. Some of these units are now engaged at Mosjoen.

On the morning of Friday the 10th, the 'Kandahar' took off the wounded from HMS 'Kelly' and her RNVR surgeon carried on where 'Kelly's' had left off. While this was going on and the two ships were lying alongside each other, the first German bombers appeared. Their attacks were beaten off by gunfire and three RAF Hudsons which had just arrived. Later, two more destroyers joined as escorts and in the afternoon two cruisers as well. Repeated air attacks were beaten off. The same afternoon, the dead recovered from the wreckage were buried at sea.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: In Iceland, British troops land on the island. They are the advance elements of a force which is to set up a destroyer and scout-plane base to help in the convoy battles in the Atlantic. Equally, they will prevent the Germans using the island to aid their U-boat campaign.

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[parsifal]

11 May 1940 (Part I)
Losses
MV ANTILLA (Ger 4363 grt) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Caribbean Sea off Aruba, Netherlands Antilles to avoid capture by the Dutch.

Pre-1880 Gunboat BRAGA (RNeN 244 grt) The gunboat was scuttled in the Waal.
Thor-class river gunboats

MV MAKIS (Gk 3546 grt) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Pantelleria, Italy.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Liner VEENDAM (Ne 15,450 grt) The ship is caught in the crossfire between Dutch and german Ground forces and suffers heavy damage. She is not bombed by the LW as is often reported. She lies unused and damaged until mid 1941, when she is towed to Germany where she is seized and used as an accommodation ship. Progressively bombed in 1943-5,she is sitting on the bottom by 1945, but is eventually raised.
The ss Veendam (II) of 1922 | Holland America Blog

Rotterdam, May 1940. Company ships caught in the cross fire during the invasion. The STATENDAM can be seen burning in the background.

Liner STATENDAM (Ne 28,291 grt) were sunk by German bombing at Rotterdam.
Holland America Line: SS Statendam IV - built in 1957

Unlike the VEENDAM, the STATENDAM was completely burnt out as a result of her damage, and scrapped in August 1940

Steamer STELLA (Ne 2818 grt), whilst attempting to escape from Antwerp during the invasion, STELLA was was sunk by the LW with at least 5 bomb hits at Flushing Roads.

Steamer VIIU (Est 1908 grt) Crew: 20 (including those picked from the HENRY WOODALL, 15 dead and 5 survivors) Cargo: Not recorded Route: Antwerp - Miami On 10 May, the VIIU had picked up survivors from the MV HENRY WOODALL (UK). At 50 mins past midnight, VIIU was hit by a single torp fired by U-9 and sank within a minute.

Steamer TRINGA (UK 1930 grt). Crew; 23 (17 dead and 6 survivors) CargoL Mixed cargo of Potash and Pig Iron; Route; Antwerp - Glagow Travelling out of convoy, the was hit aft by one torpedo from U-9 and sank immediately 1.5 miles from the West Hinder buoy at the mouth of the Scheldt. Survivors were rescued by DD MALCOLM and taken to Ramsgate.

Steamer SALLY (FN 2533 grt) was sunk on a mine in the Fairway north of Helsingor.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

DKM War Diary
Selected Extracts

Report by Professor Connelius on the progress of experiments to eliminate torpedo failures and other measures.

The problem of making the G7e keep its depth has been satisfactorily solved. Adjustment has achieved only small deviations. The same problem with regard to the G7a is proving more difficult, but a completely satisfactory solution is expected in the near future

Improved firing of the magnetic pistol .promises favorable developments, Percussion firing is not yet functioning satisfactorily. Experiments to improve it continue.

All information to date on the British aerial mine and possible countermeasures are summarized in a memorandum to all naval
commands. With regard to the range of effectiveness of this induction mine, it is clear that the greater the speed and size of the
ship and the nearer she is to the mine, the more easily, does the mine react, The explosions occur round the ship rather than underneath her. The most effective"weapon against the British mine is the mine- exploding vessel with magnet gear. With large mine-exploding vessels the advance effect is 80m, and on each side 90 m. Cable remote clearance gear and remote clearance gear are as effective against the British mine as against our own mines.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Nothing to report.

At Sea 11 May 1940
U-7, U-9, U-32, U-65.
4 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Baltic
Western Baltic

North Sea
Steamer PRINS WILLEM VAN ORANJE (Ne 1304 grt) was badly damaged by the LW in Dutch waters. CA YORK and CLs MANCHESTER and SHEFFIELD at Rosyth were placed at the disposal of the CinC Nore for operations in the sthn Nth Sea should DKM cruisers appear to support the invasion. FS.168 departed the Tyne, escort sloop FLAMINGO. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 13th.

Sub SWORDFISH departed Blyth on patrol. Sub STURGEON arrived at Blyth after patrol. ORP sub ORZEL arrived at Rosyth after patrol. OA.146 departed Southend. No escorts were listed.

Operations off the Dutch Coast
CLs ARETHUSA, GALATEA, BIRMINGHAM and DDs CODRINGTON, BRILLIANT, VIMY, VALOROUS, GRIFFIN, HEREWARD, HYPERION, HAVOCK, MOHAWK, VENETIA, VIVACIOUS, WINDSOR, VERITY, VENOMOUS, WIVERN, WILD SWAN were actively working off the Dutch coast. DD VENOMOUS departed Dover for Dunkirk with the Dutch military missions for Belgium and France. These missions had been brought from Ijmuiden on CL GALATEA of CruSqn 2. At Ijmuiden, CL ARETHUSA and DD BOREAS met Dutch steamer IRIS (909grt), carrying the Dutch gold reserves from Ijmuiden, DD KEITH met incomplete NE CL HEEMSKERCK and NE steamer TITUS, also carrying Dutch gold from Ijmuiden. PC WARRIOR II later on the 11th relieved DD KEITH of escorting the NE cruiser. They arrived in the Thames that evening and the next morning, IRIS went into Southend and ARETHUSA and BOREAS to Sheerness. CL BIRMINGHAM and DDs MOHAWK and JANUS arrived in the Humber. DDs HYPERION and WILD SWAN remained in the Hook of Holland overnight. DD HAVOCK departed Hook of Hollland and patrolled outside between the Hook and Ijmuiden to deal with any German attempted landings.

DD WIVERN departed Dover with a British military mission, for Hook of Holland. The passage was covered by DDs HYPERION and HAVOCK. After her arrival, she was diverted to Flushing where the mission was landed. The DD arrived at Flushing at 1200 and departed after disembarkation at 1600. DD WIVERN then returned to Dover. After refuelling, she joined DD MALCOLM off the Nth Goodwins. DDs VALENTINE and WINCHESTER joined by Fr DDs SIROCCO and CYCLONE departed Dunkirk with Fr steamer COTE D'ARGENT (3047grt) and arrived at Flushing in the early afternoon. The DDs remained underway until dusk to give protection to eascaping Dutch shipping. DDs WESTMINSTER and VIMIERA departed Dunkirk with DDs FOUGUEUX, FRONDEUR, INCOMPRISE and sloop DLIGENTE in the early afternoon with 2 Fr storeships. Off Wandelar Light Vessel, the DDs were detached to patrol off Nieuport and assist escaping Dutch shipping. DDs VALENTINE and WINCHESTER supported the store ships that evening. On the evening of 12 May, DDs VALENTINE and WINCHESTER departed Flushing to replenish at Dunkirk. DDs WESTMINSTER and VIMIERA proceeded from their Nieuport patrol to relieve them off Flushing. DDs MOHAWK and VERSATILE, after departing the Humber on the 11th, embarked British diplomatic personnel at Hook of Holland.

DDs VERITY and VENOMOUS arrived at Hook of Holland on the 12th on Operation HARPOON with a 200 man guard for the protection of the demolition party brought there by DD WILD SWAN. Also arriving on the 12th at Hook of Holland were RN MSW trawlers ARCTIC HUNTER and ST MELANTE.

 

[parsifal]

11 May 1940 (Part II)
OPERATIONS [CONT'D]
Northern Waters
Sub NARWHAL laid minefield FD.10 off Haugesand. British troops guarding Mosjoen (having arrived on the 2nd aboard DD JANUS) were cut off by German troops. These troops embarked on a Norwegian cargo vessel and proceeded down Vefsenfjord to Sandessjoen where they were met by DDs JAVELIN and JACKAL. About 100 troops were embarked on the RN ships while the rest of the troops remained on the steamer which was escorted to Bodo. JACKAL bombarded the German headquarters at Sund, above Hemnes. The troops with provisions and ammunition were landed at Bodo on the 12th. JACKAL and JAVELIN arrived at Scapa on the 13th and from there proceeded to Rosyth en route to the Humber.

DD JUNO arrived at Scapa from the Nth. DD BEDOUIN was ordered to sail from Narvik for the Clyde via Scapa, to carry out boiler cleaning from the 15th. NS.2 with 2 ships, was escorted by CL ENTERPRISE, CLA CAIRO, DD HESPERUS, sloop FLEETWOOD. Steamer META joined the convoy en route escort DDs WOLVERINE and WITHERINGTON. WITHERINGTON was detached en route and arrived at Liverpool on the 11th. The convoy, another of the SCISSORS landings, safely arrived at Narvik during the morning of 11 May. MV META and DD WOLVERINE arrived independently due to the steamer's slow speed. CL ENTERPRISE, CLA CAIRO, DD HESPERUS, sloop FLEETWOOD with storeship MARGOT (4545grt), which carried four field guns and a LAA bty, departed Narvik to land 320 troops at Mo during the night of 11/12 May. CL ENTERPRISE landed troops and supported others ashore. At Mo on the 12th, DD HESPERUS, escorting store ship MARGOT (4545grt), was damaged by two near misses. DD HESPERUS left Narvik with a convoy, consisting of 8 steamers, on the 15th, for Dundee escort also by DDs BASILISK, WOLVERINE and MSW HEBE. Sloop FLEETWOOD gave AA spt until the convoy was clear of the coast. DD VANOC after escorting submarine depot ship MAIDSTONE departed the Clyde to join the convoy. On 21 May, HESPERUS was relieved by DD VANOC and arrived on the 22nd for repairs at Dundee completed in late June. HESPERUS arrived at Plymouth on 1 July for operations. The convoy arrived in the Clyde on the 22nd with BASILISK, VANOC, WOLVERINE and 6 steamers

6 Skuas of 806 Squadron departed Hatston escorted by 3 Blen LR fighters of 254 Sqn to attack fuel tanks near Bergen. No a/c were lost. Results not reported. The raid was repeated the next day by 6 Skuas of 806 Sqn, again escorted by 3 Blenheims of 254 Sqn. They were to attack an enemy transport, escort unkown TBs. The target was located, but no damage was done. No a/c were lost.

DD FIREDRAKE arrived at Scapa from Bodo. ASW trawlers DANEMAN, WELLARD, BLACKFLY departed Scapa for Grimsby. Drifters STRATHDEVON, STHRATHDERRY, ELDORADO, NEWHAVEN, SANDWICK arrived at Scapa for onward passage to Norway, but on arrival in Norway, the drifters were found to be too large for the purpose intended. They were laid up and 10 Nor "Puffers" locally acquired, crewed by RN personnel. Owners fully compensated for acquisitions. These little ships greatly assisted the movement of Allied forces around the Nth
View attachment 292156

West Coast UK
DDs WALKER and BEAGLE departed Liverpool after boiler cleaning arriving at the Clyde later the same day. OB.146 departed Liverpool escort DD VANQUISHER.

UK-France
BC.36 of 5 steamers departed Loire with no escort. The convoy arrived safely in Bristol Channel on the 13th.

Central Atlantic/Carribbean
After the invasion of Holland, Fr troops on Fr CL PRIMAUGUET landed at Aruba to safeguard the oil facilities.

CL CARADOC and RCN DD FRASER departed Kingston with 2 companies of Inf and steamer JAMAICA PLANTER (UK 4098 grt) with motor transport to be landed at Willemstad. CL DESPATCH was already off Willemstad on patrol. No landing took place at the request of the Dutch Governor.

Med- Biscay
DDs ACTIVE and WISHART arrived at Gib, escorting troopship ORONSAY from Cherbourg with troops for the Gib garrison.

 

[parsifal]

11 May 1940- The BEF

The Belgians, on hearing the news that Eban Emanuel had fallen, and that the Dutch further north were retreating decided to abandon the Albert Canal position. Crucially they fail to blow the bridges along the Albert at several key points, allowing Hoepners XVI Korps to cross and engage the Fr Cavalry Corps under Gen Prioux, This corps consisted mainly of 2nd and 3rd DLMs (French Light Mech Divs). The German formations routed the French Cavalry units, causing Prioux to send signals advising of his inability to delay the Germans. He blames the loss on the absence of adequate air cover.

Pz Mk II held up at either the Albert Canal or the Meuse during the advance through Belgium. In reality the germans were hardly affected by Belgian demolitions

The heavy French armour, in the formation of 1 DCR, was also to be defeated at this point. The DCR had initially been kept in reserve whilst the Allies moved into the Dyle positions. 1 DCR received orders to move forward 11 may, tanks by rail , wheeled vehicles by road. The elements became separated, and were reunited too late. The tanks were caught detraining and short of fuelthe next day

Char B Heavy Tank. A very heavy AFV, poorly laid out, inadequate crew numbers, lack of radios, short ranged. They were unable to compete with the well integrated Infantry/armour/artillery teams used by the germans

Colonel De Gaulle is given command of the hastily formed 4th DCR. He was a very unpopular officer, having been removed from the promotions list in 1936 (hence his low rank as a colonel in 1940).

Reluctantly given command, General Georges is said to have snapped to him at the time "Here, for you, who have so long admired the methods of the enemy, here is your chance to act".

RAF Air Operations (unfinished)
17 Sqn (Hurri)
Operation: Patrol Den Haag – Delft – Rotterdam, following losses sustained

F/O GW. Slee, NL KIA, AC N2405 lost; Shot down by Bf109s of I./JG51 over Gravendeel 5.00 p.m.

Flt Lt MS. Donne, KIA, A/C N2403 Shot down by Bf109s over Numansdorp 5.00 p.m. Possibly one of those claimed by Oberlt Krafft of 3./JG51

P/O O.P. DeL Hulton-Harrop PoW, A/C N2407; Shot down south of Rotterdam by Me 109 of JG51 at 17.00 hrs, possibly by Lt Terry of Stab I./JG51.

S/L GC. Tomlinson, safe, A/C N2547 crashed; Forced-landed at Hingene damaged by Bf109s south of Rotterdam 5.00 p.m. Possibly that claimed by Oberlt Schäfer of 5./JG27. S/L G. C. Tomlinson unhurt. Aircraft abandoned. Pilot returned to the UK.

Sgt. J.A.A. Luck, PoW, A/CX P2758 destroyed, Shot down by Bf109s in combat over Dordrecht 5.00 p.m. Possibly that claimed by Uffz Schreiter of 3./JG51.

19 Sqn (Spit) Ftr Cmd
On the 11 of May 1940 a Junkers Ju 88 was shot down into the sea by a flight of 3 a/c lead by a WF/Lt. W.Clouston.

21 Sqn (Blen)
Following a desperate plea from the Belgians (who had lost 6 out of 9 Battles attacking bridges over Albert Canal near Maastricht), 23 Blenheims (from 110 Sqn. and 21 Sqn.) are ordered to attack the same targets. 4 aircraft are lost and none of the bombs hit the intended target. A follow up attack by LeO 451 bombers of the FAF also fail to destroy the bridges, but did start several fires in a motorised column. Planned recon by 6 Blenheims cancelled due to poor weather. 2 a/c lost.

21 Sqn took of at mid-afternoon on May 11th, overflying Holland and Belgium at around 15,000 ft, through sporadic AA fire from 'friendly' gunners, whose aircraft recognition left much to be desired, eventually spotting the long line of vehicles that were to be the target.

At 16.30 hours S/L Pryde took his bombers down into the attack. The defences, in and around, Maastricht to put up a dense curtain of flak as the Blenheims shallow dive-bombed and gained hits on an assortment of vehicles that clogged the road. Air Gunner P.Charleton, in Blenheim, P6806, was killed by shrapnel during the attack, while no less than 8 of the Sqn's a/c were unserviceable the following morning.

53 sqn (Blen)
Photo-reconnaissance, B. 1 a/c lost, 1 POW, 2 WIA, Took off from Poix. Forced-landed and burned out near Borlez during photo-reconnaissance sortie over Belgium. Possibly that claimed by Lt Braxator of 3./JG1 near Overijse. Man captured was was severely wounded. His leg was amputated and he was later taken PoW.

79 sqn (Hurri)
Patrol, B/F. 1 Plane lost, 1 WIA. F/Lt R. Edwards bailed out after shooting down a He111 NW of Mons, Belgium. Burn injuries

105 sqn (Battle)
Unknown op, a/c lost 1kia

 

[Njaco]

May 11 Saturday
WESTERN FRONT: Germany occupied Luxembourg. At 0400 hours, German parachute troops begin landing in the Dordrecht area of the Netherlands. Netherlands troops withdraw from the frontier, after four hours fighting, due to German planes landing thousands of parachute troops behind Dutch lines toward The Hague and Rotterdam. Netherlands troops recapture the village Mill, southeast of Nijmegen.

Troops of the German 9.PanzerDivision crossed the Meuse River. At 1200 hours, they found an undefended bridge over the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal 50 miles from Rotterdam, where airborne troops of the German 22.FliegerDivision held on to bridges along the Nieuwe Maas River, awaiting the arrival of ground troops. Dutch Marines attack but cannot dislodge them, leading to stalemate for several days.

In the Southeast corner of Belgium between Luxembourg and France, 7 Panzer divisions spearhead the advance into the Ardennes forest of Runstedt's massive Heeresgruppe A (about 50 divisions total). They brush aside French cavalry guarding this unlikely route into France. The "Sickle Cut" has begun. German parachute troops also landed behind the French Maginot Line. German artillery begins intense firing near the Saar River, west of Vosges, France.

In Belgium, German airborne troops captured the "impregnable" Fort Eben Emael. About 1000 prisoners are taken. King Leopold places himself at the head of the Belgian army. German tanks crossed Albert Canal bridges in an attempt to move behind Belgian defensive lines, drawing even more Allied troops North to bolster the defensive line. Belgian troops retreat and join the French and British arriving at planned positions on Dyle River ("Dyle Plan").

British and French troops land in the Netherlands West Indies Islands of Curacao and Aruba, to aid the Netherlands local authorities in the security of the islands. US President Roosevelt announced that these actions were not contrary to the Monroe Doctrine. French mechanized troops cross the Belgian frontier into the Netherlands.

In the early morning hours nine Do 17 bombers of II./KG 2 bomb the airfield at Vaux, France in a surprise attack on the British Advanced Air Striking Force. The attack destroys thirty British aircraft on the ground and effectively "ends the life of the A. A. S. F. Blenheims as a useful force" or so states the official history of the Royal Air Force. Engaged in Operation 'ABENDSSEGEN'- the interception of French fighters using the twilight hours to strafe German ground forces - at 0545 hours, fighters from III./JG 26 attack a flight of Curtiss Hawk 75s of GC I/4 escorting a French column. Gruppenkommandeur Major von Berg claims his first victory along with claims by Lt. Munchberg and Oblt. Georg Beyer. A total of five French fighters are shot down. At 1910 hours, fighters from II./JG 26 engage the remaining elements of GC 1/4, claiming three more Hawk 75s.

The main airbattle of the day occurs over the three bridges that span the Albert Canal near Maastricht. Knowing that the Germans need these bridges intact, the Belgians send nine bombers to attack and destroy the bridges. The attack fails when seven of the planes are shot down by Luftwaffe fighters. Eight British Battles bombers attack German columns entering Luxembourg. Seven planes are shot down, the eighth crashes on return in England.

Fighters of 2./JG 26 encounter French MS 406s near Antwerp and destroy one Morane but lose Fw. Gerhard Herzog when he is shot down and taken prisoner, spending the rest of the war at a POW camp in Canada. Other elements of JG 26 engage Dutch fighters near the Zuider Zee.

Warplanes of I./JG 53 shoot down seven French Moranes, including two by Gruppenkommandeur Hptm. von Janson. Hptm. von Bonin of I./JG 54 scores his first victory of the War. Hptm. Wilhelm Balthasar, having achieved seven victories with the Condor Legion and a future Experte, shoots down three Belgian Gladiators and a French Morane. Also claiming victories on this day are future Ritterkreuz recipients Oblt. Gerhard Homuth and Oblt. Karl-Wolfgang Redlich, both of JG 27. Oblt. Ludwig Franzisket of 1./JG 1 begins his scoreboard with two kills, a Belgium Gloster Gladiator, shot down near Maastricht at 0653 hours and a French Morane at 1955 hours over Riemst.

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[Njaco]

May 11 Saturday (continued)
The Bf 109s and ground personnel of Hptm. Wolfgang Schnellmann's II./JG 2 leave the airbase at Nordholz and settle in at Hamminkeln.

Switzerland mobilized its military forces in response to the German invasion of the neutral Low Countries on the previous day. Civilians in towns near the German-Swiss border fled south.

NORTHERN EUROPE: Saturday the 11th came and wore on with the 'Kelly' laboring now with a heavy list and yawing from side to side. As things got worse the captain decided to send everyone off the ship except those required to man the guns. She survived another air attack, no hits being scored. Only eighteen officers and men remained on board. Rough weather broke the tow repeatedly so it was decided to abandon further attempts until the weather moderated. At nightfall, when two U Boats were reported to be closing in, the captain decided to transfer his volunteer party to the 'Bulldog' temporarily. All night long the 'Kelly' lay waterlogged and abandoned.

British fleet air arm makes two bombing runs on Bergen, Norway, striking a German training ship and ground fuel tanks.

The British Admiralty reports it has created a vast new minefield in Norwegian waters, extending from Bergen to Namsos, 20-70 miles offshore. German bombs hit a British battleship and a cruiser off Narvik, Norway.

EASTERN EUROPE: Yugoslavia signs a trade agreement with Soviet Russia.

The Romanian Government of Premier George Tatarescu replaces several pro-German Ministers with pro-France officials. Tatarescu declares the nation will continue its policy of neutrality, with friendship for Britain and France.

UNITED KINGDOM: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives Bomber Command authority to attack Germany. He also appointed Anthony Eden as Secretary of State for War.

King George VI signed the proclamation canceling the Whitsun holiday.

German and Austrian men aged 16 to 60 living in the eastern counties of England and Scotland are interned. No German or Austrian may enter the restricted area without permission. Other aliens of any nationality living in these areas must report daily to the police, they may not use bicycles or cars, and must not go out between 20.00 and 06.00. This affects about 11,000 people. When war broke out 486 aliens were detained and 8,000 had their movements restricted.

ASIA: The Japanese Foreign Minister notifies diplomatic representatives of the Netherlands, Germany, Britain, France, USA, and Italy that it would not tolerate any change of nationality control of the Netherlands Indies. Any outside interference would be considered an extension of the war to the Orient, which Japan would forcibly oppose.

GERMANY: Hermann Göring demands that the Swedes allow passage of trains to Norway, filled with German artillery and other war supplies. Swedish negotiators refuse to allow it.

NORTH AMERICA: US President Roosevelt announced that the US was now officially recognizing the state of war between Germany and the Low Countries and reaffirmed American neutrality in that conflict. He restricted submarines of any of the nations involved in that conflict to use American ports and territorial waters, exclusive of the Panama Canal Zone.

.

.

.

 

[Marcel]

North:
The German divisions in the North are hindered by delaying tactics of the Dutch Borderguard and are slowely advancing towards the Aflsuitdijk.

Gelderland
The German SS leibstandarte 'Der Fuerer' start to attack the Dutch outposts of the Grebbelinie. These were occupied by 400 men light forces. Many of them were captured and used as a shield bihind which the SS could advance to the main resistance line. During the night, the Dutch army performed counterattacks, but to no avail.

German troops on bikes in Wageningen:

South:
The fighting around Mill continued, but actually the line was broken through. Dutch army retreats from the Peel-Raams stelling. French troops arrive at Breda, but fail in a joined attempt with the Dutch troops to recapture the Moerdijk bridges. Dordrecht is still mainly in Dutch hands.

German paratroops with mortier at the Weeskinderendijk in Dordrecht:

Rotterdam:
The German bridgehead, north of the Willemsbrug is recaptured, but they keep the bridge and 'Noorder eiland'. Also the airport Waalhaven stays in German hands, although under heavy bombardment of both atillery and Dutch airforces.

Area the Hague.
Local fighting occur between Dutch forces and isolated remains of the German airborn divisions around the Hague.

Airforce:
After the heavy losses of May 10th, not much of the airforce is left. The 2 remaining T.V bombers make two attempts to bomb the Willemsbrug, one was shot down. The airforce changes tactics into a kind of guerilla war, which diminished the losses.

 

[parsifal]

12 May 1940 (Part I)
Losses
Gunboat BULGIA ( RNeN 240 grt ) Thos Class Gunboat, sunk in the Nth Sea off Vlissingen, South Holland by the LW.

[see images for sister ships lost]

Gunboat FRISO (RNeN 545 grt) Gruno or Brinio Class Gunboat datingb back to1915, was stationed on the IJsselmeer to prevent landings from eastern Holland to Noord-Holland by the Germans. Succesfully bombarded the port of Stavoren, sinking a ferry and destroying some German artillery. Lost to LW attacks with the loss of 2 men killed and 1 missing. The capsized wreck was raised on March 15, 1943 and scrapped in Enkhuizen.

MV HENRICA (Ne 440 grt) The coaster collided with another vessel and sank.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Liner PRINSES JULIANA (Ne 2908 grt) The passenger ship was bombed and sunk in the Nth Sea off Hook of Holland, by W strikes . She was carrying about 500 Dutch troops at the time. The survivors were rescued by DD HAVANT and WILD SWAN.

Gunboat THOR (RNeN 240 grt): Thor class gunboat, captured in Den Helder May 14 1940. Sunk by Allied aircraft in Vlissingen February 1941.

Sister ship FREYA pictured

Liner VAN RENSELAER (Ne 4191 grt) The passenger ship struck a mine at IJmuiden, Noord Holland and was beached

MV ROEK (UK 1041 grt) The coaster struck a mine and sank in the Nieuwe Waterweg Rotterdam. All 51 people aboard were rescued.

MV ST DENIS (UK 3500 grt (est)) the cargo ship, whilst employed to assist in the evacuation of Rotterdam, struck a mine and sank in the Nieuwe Waterweg between Hook of Holland and Rotterdam. She was later salvaged by the Germans and became the accommodation ship BARBARA.

In WWI ST DENIS was used as a Hospital ship, as shown in the photo

Steamer EROS (SD 2151 grt) after the crew left the ship was seized by German forces at Bergen. She was renamed ILLKIRCH for German service.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Steamer INDUS (SD 729 grt) was seized by German forces at Bergen. On 28 May, she was renamed METZ for German service.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

BB REVENGE accidently collided with and sank RCN Gate Vessel No. 1 (trawler YPRES, 440grt ) at Halifax as REVENGE was setting out to escort Cdn troop convoy TC 4 A. 3 ratings were slightly injured in the vessel; no lives wee lost from the 18 man crew.

Tkr JURA (SZ 780 grt) The coastal tanker struck a mine that had been laid by the LW just after the invasion of Holland and sank in the Nth Sea off Zeebrugge with the loss of two lives.

Schooner KATHE JURGENSON (Ger 254 grt) The cargo schooner struck a mine and sank in the Bay of Lübeck.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

DKM War Diary
Selected Extracts

Transfer of the 2nd Gebirgsjager Div with equipment to Oslo and return of empty transports proceeded without interruption.
Repair installations in Aaloborg, which have been used for work on German vessels since the start of the occupation of Denmark,
are now completely taken up by vessels of Commanding Admiral, Defenses, Baltic; docks will be full until the end of May.
If possible the dockyard at Helsingoer is also to be used to repair these vessels. On the question of patrolling the northern gap in the Skagerrak declared area, after hearing the views of the Group and of Commanding Admiral, Norway, Naval Staff has issued the following order;

1. Admiral, South Norwegian Coast is to take over patrol and pilot service for the northern gap in the Skagerrak declared area. In accordance with the request of Commanding Admiral Norway, Group Baltic is to make a harbor defense flotilla available for this purpose

2. For the present, arrangements are to be made with Commanding admiral, Defenses, Baltic and Commanding Admiral, Defenses

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

U 32 requested to enter port along Route II, without giving a reason. It was assumed that she had encountered strong anti-S/M forces on the W boundary of the declared area and this was later confirmed by the Commanding Officer.

At Sea 12 May 1940
U-7, U-9, U-32, U-65.
4 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Baltic
Western Baltic
Steamer BOTHNIA (Sd 1488 grt) was damaged by the LW in the Kattegat.

Northern Waters
DDs MASHONA and JAGUAR arrived at Scapa from Narvik. DDs ACHERON and ANTELOPE arrived at Greenock where ACHERON repaired minor defects and undertook boiler cleaning.

Fr Legionnaires were embarked on RN LCs (the first time in the western navies) at Ballangen for the assault on Bjervik in Herjangsfjord. The remainder of the 1500 troops involved were embarked on the CLs EFFINGHAM and AURORA.

R-35 Lt Tank used in the Narvik amphibious assault, and the Foreign Legion in action around Narvik. Ironically, many of the legion were Germans

4 R-35 tanks with supporting Inf and 2 LCTs to take the tanks ashore were carried on BB RESOLUTION. A 5th tank in a more modern LC went under its own power. This landing craft had arrived at Harstad on 27 April with steamer EMPIRE ABILITY (UK). In addition, repair ship VINDICTIVE, net layer PROTECTOR, DDs HAVELOCK , which carried a French mortar bty on her forecastle, SOMALI, FAME, BASILISK, WREN accompanied the force. CV ARK ROYAL provided air spt for this opn. This force departed Ballangen late on the 12th and the troops were landed on the 13th and Bjervik was captured. Naval forces returned to Harstad.

North Sea
DDs MOHAWK and JANUS were ordered to patrol Brown Ridge (an area of ocean off the Netherlands Coast). DD VERSATILE grounded at Sheerness. DD WALPOLE pulled her off and was later relieved by a tug. VERSATILE proceeded to Sheerness and was repaired in one day.

OA.147 departed Southend escort DD WESSEX and corvette ARABIS. The corvette was later detached to convoy HX.40. OB.147 departed Liverpool escort DD SALADIN from 12 to 14 May. FN.169 departed Southend, escort sloop WESTON. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 14th. MT.67 departed Methil, escort escort ship VASCAMA and subsequently by sloop GRIMSBY. Sloop GRIMSBY was then relieved by sloop AUCKLAND and GRIMSBY returned to Rosyth. The convoy arrived later that day. FS.169 departed the Tyne, escort sloop AUCKLAND. . The convoy arrived at Southend on the 14th.

Operation Off the Dutch Coast
DDs HYPERION and WILD SWAN departed the Hook of Holland to patrol off the coast, joining DD HAVOCK already on station. HAVOCK then departed to bombard German troops reported near Hook of Holland. None were found and after dusk, HAVOCK returned to Harwich. In Operation "J", DD CODRINGTON (with DDs HYPERION and WINDSOR in company), arrived at Ijmuiden late on the 12th. CODRINGTON embarked Dutch Princess Juliana and her family and evacuated them to Harwich. DD CODRINGTON was escorted back to Harwich by DDs VIVACIOUS and VENETIA, arriving next morning. DD HEREWARD arrived at Holland at midnight on the 12th. DDs HYPERION and WINDSOR departed Ijmuiden early on the 13th escorting steamer DOTTEREL (UK 1385 grt) carrying British refugees. DD KIMBERLEY arrived at Flushing during the forenoon of 12 May. She embarked the military mission at Flushing and then proceeded to Ijmuiden, before departing Ijmuiden that evening. DDs KEITH and BOREAS arrived at Dover after escort duty with CruSqn 2. CLs ARETHUSA and GALATEA arrived at Sheerness. RN MTBs 22, 24 25 arrived at Ijmuiden just before midnight on the 12th. The boats operated from Ijmiuden on recon duties until 14 May.

DD WHITSHED departed Dover for Dunkirk with ammunition for the FA force DDs. DD MALCOLM departed Nth Goodwins patrol for Hook of Holland to relieve DD WILD SWAN. DD VENOMOUS, returning from Hook of Holland, relieved DD WIVERN on Nth Goodwins patrol. DD WIVERN returned to Dover. DD WHITLEY departed Sheerness on the 11th to meet steamer PERSEUS (Ne) at Ijmuiden. She arrived in the early morning of the 12th also to embark the Dutch Crown Princess, her family, and 100 British refugees. At Ijmuiden, she was not able to locate the PERSEUS or the Royal Family but did embark the refugees. DD WHITLEY departed Ijmuiden at before dawn on the 12th and returned to Sheerness. DDs VIMY and WINDSOR departed Dover before dawn to meet DDs VIVACIOUS and VENETIA from Harwich off Maas Light Vessel to operate off the Dutch coast. DDs KEITH, BOREAS, WIVERN, WOLSEY departed Dover at that evening for Hook of Holland with British steamers CANTERBURY and MAID OF ORLEANS with a composite bn of gds for the port. A Swordfish of 815 Squadron, operating from Bircham Newton, was shot down in a night raid on Wallhaven aerodrome. Both crewman were returned unhurt on the 14th.

 

[parsifal]

12 May 1940 (Part II)
OPERATIONS [CONT'D]
West Coast UK
CVL FURIOUS escort DDs IMPERIAL and VISCOUNT departed the Clyde to receive her CAG. 2 hrs later, CV GLORIOUS escort DDs DELIGHT and DIANA departed the Clyde for the same purpose. Sub TRIBUNE departed the Clyde on patrol escort ASW trawler NORWICH CITY. Subs SPEARFISH departed Blyth and PORPOISE and TETRARCH departed Rosyth on patrol. PORPOISE conducted ML op FD.11 on the 16th.

SW Approaches
OG.29 was formed from convoys OA.145G, which departed Southend on the 10th escort DDs WHITEHALL and WINCHELSEA, OB.145G, which departed Liverpool on the 10th, of 50 ships. Escort DD WHITEHALL and WINCHELSEA from 12 May. WHITEHALL was detached on the 12th and WINCHELSEA on the 13th, from there escort was Fr sloop LA CURIEUSE and PV JUTLAND from 13 to 18 May. ASW trawler SNAKEFLY escorted the convoy near Gib, arriving on the 18th. HG.30F depart Gib with 42 ships, escort Fr DD JAGUAR and Aux PV MINERVE from 12 to 18 May. The DD arrived at Brest on the 18th and the PV at Lorient on the 19th. Sloops ENCHANTRESS and LEITH from convoy OGF 30 escorted the convoy from 18 to 21 May. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 21st. Sloop FOLKESTONE, formerly with convoy OG.28F, departed Gib for Liverpool. Spanish cruisers CANARIAS, ALMIRANTE CERVERA, NAVARRA and DDs ALMIRANTE ANTEQUERA, CISCAR, ULLOA, GRAVINA passed Gib en route from Cadiz for Malaga.

Nth Atlantic
HX.42 departed Halifax escort RCN DDs RESTIGOUCHE and SKEENA, which were detached on the 13th. Ocean escort was provided by AMC LACONIA, which detached on the 24th. Home waters escort was provided by sloop ROCHESTER and corvette GLADIOLUS . ROCHESTER was detached on the 27th. The corvette remained with the convoy until its arrival at Liverpool on the 28th.

Cdn troop convoy TC.4A departed Halifax escort RCN DDs ST LAURENT and SAGUENAY. The convoy was composed of troopships ANTONIA (13,867grt) and DUCHESS OF BEDFORD (20,123grt) which carried 932 and 1559 troops, respectively. BB REVENGE was the ocean escort.

 

[parsifal]

12 May - The BEF


1 DCR began moving forward in piecemeal fashion and without even the meagre Infantry or artillery support normally allocated to the DCRs (these elements were still lost, and became enmeshed in the sea of refugees impeding military movement. The formation was transferred to the control of 9A and ordered to the critical area around Dinant. So difficult was movement that it did not reach this area until the 15th. The German 5th and 7th Panzer XXs with their fully integrated formations and better air sppt, made short work of 1 DCR, which ceased to be an effective formation.

CHAR B of 1 DCR Commander surrendering his tank, which has run out of fuel but otherwise undamaged

3rd DLM, never designed for heavy combat, had suffered some losses to Hoepner, but were falling back to the Dyle position. They stumbled into an AT screen that they had not been told about and suffered about as many tank losses due to mines again.

Somua S-35 Tank. The best tank in service in 1940, Still unable to meet the germans on eaqual terms due to outdated tactical thinking, poor TOE and a poor strategic plan

11 May RAF Air Ops

1 Sqn (Hurri) AASF
6 Battles from No 12 sqn attack the vital bridges in the Maastricht area still standing. 1 a/c aborts due to engine problems, 5 attack bridges at Veldwezelt and Vroenhoven. Ahead of the bombers were 8 Hurricanes from No 1 Sqn. The escort see the sky fill with Bf109s - 120 in all according to German records. Despite the fearful odds, the Hurricanes fought as best they could, losing 2 a/c. Sqn claims amount to 7 a/c, of which 3 are confirmed post war. 1 of the hurricane pilots is captured by Belgian civilians and locked in a cellar until liberated by the Belgian army some time later

No12 Sqn (Battles)
The sqn received orders to destroy the Maastricht bridges (see above). Despite the amount of AA known to be in place at the bridges, the whole Sqn volunteered for the mission. Of the 6 crews chosen for the raid, one had to turn back early due to technical problems and the remaining 5 were all lost. F/O Thomas led P/O Davy in the attack on the Vroenhaven bridge, damaging but not destroying it. Thomas was taken prisoner and Davy crashed on the way home. F/O Garland led P/O McIntosh and Sgt Morland against the Veldwezelt bridge, which was destroyed. McIntosh's aircraft was shot down and he was taken prisoner. F/O Garland and Sgt Morland were shot down near the target, KIA. Garland and his observer Sgt Gray were posthumously awarded the VC, the first RAF personnel in the WWII to receive such an honour. The 3rd member of the crew, LAC L R Reynolds, a wireless operator/air gunner, received no award.

2 Sqn (Lysander)

21 Sqn (Blenheim)

LAC AC. Burgess, , missing F/Lt AD. Watson, missing Sgt A.L.F. Webb, , missing A/C S/N L8739 lost, Shot down by Flak from 7,000 feet. Crashed in the vicinity of Tongeren (Limburg), Belgium.

22 Sqn (Beafort), 815 Sqn (Swdfish)
Yet another bombing mission against Waalhaven was executed, this time by CC. After the Dutch had begged the British for RAF ground-support at Waalhaven, a raid was scheduled incorporating 15 strike planes; 6 Beaufort Mk. [no. 22 sqn] and 9 Fairey Swordfish Mk. I no. 815 sqn, carrying a payload of two 500 lbs bombs each. The planes took off from Bircham at 19.50 hours and returned at 22.50 hours. 1 of the Swordfish was lost by flak.

49, 61, 144, sqns (Hampden), and 51, 58, 77 and 102 Sqns (Whitley)
19 Hampdens (of 49, 61, and 144 Sqns.) and 18 Whitleys (of 51, 58, 77, and102 Sqns.) bomb road and rail targets in Mönchengladbach - the first raid on a German town. 2 Hampdens and 1 Whitley lost; 4 people killed.

59 sqn (Blen)
1 Plane damaged, 1 WIA , Damaged by AA fire from Belg troops near Renaix, France. One crewman WIA

66 sqn (spit), 264 sqn (Defiant)
Fighter sweep, NL, 'A' Flight from 264 Squadron took off in company with a flight from 66 Squadron for a swoop over Holland, hoping to catch German Troop carrying aircraft. 264 Sqn crews saw were 3 bombers of which 1 Ju88 was shot down (confirmed).

49 Sqn (Hampdn) 18 sqn (see above) (Blen), 51 Sqn (Whitley), 58 Sqn, 77 Sqn (Whitley); 3 Hampdens bombed exits of Mönchengladbach, 1 a/c subsequently crashing in France due to engine failure (none of crew injured). 2 other Hampdens aborted. The first big attack on the German mainland, with 18 Sqn., 51 Sqn, 58 Sqn.. and 77 Sqn.. No 77 sqn Whitley also lost, crew PoW

79 sqn (Hurri)
Patrol. 1 Plane lost P/O T C Parker bailed out after bringing down a Do 17 of KG77. Pilot safe

103 sqn (Battle)
Sqn delivered 3 separate attacks (dawn midday and afternoon), all against an armoured column near Bouillon. The first 2 raids suffed no losses, but the last attack of the day saw 2 out of 3 a/c lost with crews from AA.

105 sqn (Battle)
St Hubert 2 a/c lost, 3 KIA. 1a/c brought down by flak and 1 damaged but returned safely, deemed beyond field repair and moved to No.6 RSU. Abandoned on the ground Jun40.

107 sqn (Blen)
At 0900 2 Blenheim Mk.IV sqns [107 Sqn. and ?] from BC attacked the bridges at Maastricht. It was a very bloody confrontation for the RAF. Of the 24 planes no less than 10 were downed. These attacks were simultaneous to the 12 sqn strikes that attacked the nearby bridge at Vroenhoven. All 5 Battles were lost. Aerial photographs taken during the Blenheim mission showed that all 96 bombs had missed their targets.

Hurris of 87 Sqn escorted the bombers. They battled with Me109's of Stab/JG27. 2 Hurris were shot down by Adolf Galland. The last Allied effort came from the FAF. During a strafing and bombing mission of German troops just west of Maastricht by 18 Bre-693 bombers, 8 a/c were lost

 

[Marcel]

North:
The Germans reach the Wonsstelling, a primitive line that serves as an outpost of the Afsluitdijk. The Afsluitdijk is a dam, 32km long, which leads directly into Holland and the city of Amsterdam. It takes the German army only a few hours to neutralise the line and advace to the Afsluitdijk.
Meanwhile, the shores of the IJselmeer is reached and an attempt is made to cross the big lake by boat from the harour of Stavoren. The little gunboat Friso prevents this, destroying the boats and German artillery. Later that day, the Friso would be sunk by Stukas.

Hr.Ms Friso sinks. The crew is taken aboard by the Minesweeper Hr.Ms Abraham van der Hulst/

Gelderland
Heavy fighting in the Grebbeberg area. The German SS lebstandarte manages to infiltrate the Dutch frontline at the most southern part of the line. The Dutch retreat to the second line.

Germans nearthe Grebbeberg

Near Barneveld, fierce defence by small groups of soldiers pays off. A breakthrough can be prevented.

South
The German panzer forces reach the Moerdijk bridges near Dordrecht. French forces have retreated south. In the city of Dordrecht the battle rages between Dutch Royal engineers and german Airborn troops. In the Peel-Raam line near the German border, many small isolated Dutch units keep putting up resistance.

Rotterdam
The Marine baraks in the north of the city is bombed, not much remains of the buildings. Heavy fighting still around the Willemsbrug and Airport Waalhaven.

The Hague
Remaining German Airborn troops put up fierce resistance in the village of Valkenburg, near the airport. Bad coordination prevents Dutch attacks from being effective.

Airforce
The main actions are performed by a handfull obsolete Fokker C.X biplanes. They bomb positions near the Grebbeline, Wonsline and Rotterdam.

 

[Marcel]

There is so much to tell about all the events that the two lines in the post above about the Grebbeberg just doesn't do it justice. Here a story about a couter attack made in those days:

In the second line (stopline), there is a major Jacometti. He used to be an officer in the KNIL, the Royal Duch East Indies Army, but was now made commander of II-8 R.I infantry, occupying the stoplijn. He was appalled by the dutch troops, retreating for what he thought was only a "hand full of Germans". The German strength in reality however was a full regiment of SS troops (SS-standarte Der Fuerer) and the full 207 infantriedivision, a 3x odd against the defenders. Jacometti did not bother to check this and also did not inform his compatriots in the net trench. He said the famous words "We zullen ze er wel even uitgooien en er met de blanke klewang op ingaan' (We'll just throw them out and hack them up with the blank sabre). He and his group juped out of the trench and in a spritt comparable with the banzai attack of Japanese later in the war, ran towards the german troops in an old-fashioned "tirailleurslinie", a form of attack that has been obsolete since the start of WWI. Needless to say they were massacred by both German and Dutch fire and did not cover more than 20 metres over the open field. Major Jacometti is burried in the Military cemetry at the Grebbeberg, aboout 50 meter from where he fell.

This learns us a couple of things about the Dutch army. Soldiers where in gerneral brave and the fighting spirit was overal quite good. But the officers of the army had no clue what they were doing in general. Their view on war and tactics were those of the 19th century. Added to that, communication was severely lacking. This against an enemy who was experienced in modern warfare and was fully prepared made the fight quite often suicidal for the troops.

Grave of Major Jacometti on the Grebbeberg:

 

[Njaco]

May 12 Sunday
WESTERN FRONT: THE BATTLE OF HANNUT – DAY ONE: The first tank battle of the European War took place at Hannut in central Belgium between the German 3. and 4.Panzerdivisions and two French armored divisions. 4. Panzerdivision raced to seize their first objective, Hannut, reaching the area that morning. General Hoepner ordered the 3. and 4. Panzerdivisions (3rd Pz. Div. and 4th Pz. Div.) to concentrate on and secure Hannut to secure the 6.Armee's flank. Noting his lack of fuel and his division's artillery and infantry support that had not yet caught up with the armor, Major-General Stever of the 4th Pz. Div. requested an air-drop of fuel. Concluding that he was only facing one French battalion, he engaged the French defenses. The Germans made contact with a French Armored force of some 25 tanks. The 4th Pz. Div. destroyed seven of the French tanks for no losses. Having surrendered the initiative and with only limited air reconnaissance, French Commander Prioux could only wait to see where the Panzers would concentrate. His right flank he anchored on the Meuse. He held Huy with two battalions of motorized heavy infantry plus some dragoons and artillery. His left was in touch with British light cavalry and parts of the Belgian Cavalry Corps delaying the enemy along the axis St. Trond-Tirlemont. Stever's 35.Panzerregiments advancing toward Hannut ran into fierce resistance. The French armor was deployed under cover and during the battle counter-attacked several times. The French forces then yielded Hannut without a fight. German forces attempted to outflank the town, unaware of the retreat. Some 50 light Panzers ran into the French strongpoint at Crehen. French defenses were equipped with 21 Hotchkiss tanks of the 2d Cuirassiers, supported by parts of the 76th Artillery Regiment plus fire from the nearby 2d DLM. Firing from prepared positions, the German medium tanks attempted to pin down the French while the light tanks moved around the French position. The main French forced retreated to Medorp. The encircled 2d Cuirassiers were freed by an armored counterattack from the 2DLM. SOMUA S35s breached the German line and the French units broke out, suffering heavy losses in the process. The right flank of the 4th Pz. Div. was now dangerously exposed. Rushing from the German staging area at Oreye, some 11 km to the northeast of Hannut, the 3rd Pz. Div. moved up to cover this threat. The German solution was to build an advance guard of one Panzer battalion and one rifle battalion supported by two artillery groups to push forward to Perwez, 18 km south west of Hannut. The force advanced under heavy air and artillery cover against the French strongpoint at Thisnes, and simply ignored the French counterattack at Crehen in its rear. Heavy French artillery met the attack, stopping the tank company on point. The remainder of the German force flanked the French position to their right. The guard finally reached the western edge of the town, only to meet strong artillery fire from the neighbouring French strongpoint in Wansin which continued to increase. The force was ordered to regroup its tanks and riflemen and to secure a perimeter. But before this could be done, French SOMUAs counterattacked knocking out the Panzer Regiment commander's tank. After hard fighting both French and German tanks pulled back in the darkness. The French retreated to Merdorp and the Panzers to the Hannut area. The French strongpoint at Wansin fought all night against German riflemen. The front of the 3rd DLM remained, holding positions near Tienen, Jandrenouille and Merdorp. The 2nd DLM also held its original front. On the very first day, French armor — contrary to German reports — definitely emerged victorious.

General Reichenau, commander of the German 6.Armee, ordered Hoepner to send XVI Corps forward to Gembloux to prevent the French from organizing a defense, but Hoepner continued to worry about his stretched supply lines and especially his exposed flanks. His neighboring IV Corps had elements in the St. Trond area probing toward Tirlemont, worrying French Commander Prioux, but the XXVII Corps was still held up north of Liege 38 km east of Hannut, leaving Hoepner's southern flank exposed.

German armored columns pushed out of the Ardennes region and into France, preparing to cross the Meuse River at Sedan, Monthermé, and Dinant. German 1.and 10.Panzergruppen reaches the east bank of the Meuse River at Sedan. Guderian's Panzer Corps at Sedan are the first Germans on French soil. The French forces in the area retire to the left bank of the Meuse River where they have substantial artillery support deployed to deny the crossing to the Germans. During the night, French artillery shells Sedan.


.

 

[Njaco]

May 12 Sunday (continued)
In the Netherlands, German forces capture Harlingen on the North Sea, and occupy the northern provinces. The French 7th Army advancing into Holland is engaged with the German advance near Tilburg and is thrown back. German troops begin initial skirmishes with French troops in the Warndt sector, continuing throughout the day. While Dutch defensive line holds German infantry in North and Central Holland, 9.Panzerdivision races to Moerdijk bridges over Hollands Diep estuary (held by paratroops since the morning of May 10) 10 miles South of Rotterdam, preventing Allied forces reinforcing Fortress Holland. The Germans begin crossing the River Meuse on two undemolished bridges in the Maastricht region. Netherland troops recapture Waalhaven Airport and regain control of most of Rotterdam, forcing Germans to retreat south of the Maas River.

The Dutch Crown Princess and family embark on British destroyer "Codrington" from Ijmuiden. British cruisers "Galatea" and "Arethusa" take the Dutch gold reserve to England.

The task this day of JG 27 which has operational control of I./JG 1 and I./JG 21, is to cover the German 6.Armee's breakthrough at Maastricht-Liege. The 85 Bf-109s of JG 27 flew 340 sorties, claiming 26 Allied aircraft for the loss of four fighters. At dawn two Staffeln of I./JG 1 led by Joachim Schlichting take off and fly to cover the bridges over the Maas and Albert Canal. Oblt. Walter Adolph and the fighters of 1./JG 1 intercept a flight of Blenheims of RAF No. 12 Squadron over the Maastricht Bridges and shoot down six British planes with three being claimed by Oblt. Adolf (shot down in a span of five minutes), Staffelkapitän of the 1./JG 1. The remaining Blenheims are then attacked by fighters of 3./JG 27, with two being shot down by Oblt. Gerhard Homuth and one by Lt. Hans-Wedige von Weiher. The Arme de l'air sent two expeditions, one including 18 of its Breguet 693 bombers on their maiden mission, losing eight.

The British send a second flight of planes against the bridges before noon. Five Fairey Battles of the British Advanced Air Striking Force (No. 12 Squadron RAF flown by volunteer crews) are sent with an escort of six Hurricanes to attack the vital road bridges over the Albert Canal in the face of extremely heavy ground fire. Intercepted by dozens of Bf 109s, five Hurricanes are shot down and four of the twin-seat Battles. The fifth Battle dive-bomber is so damaged that it crashes trying to return to its base. Before being shot down, a Battle flown by F/O D. E. Garland and Sergeant T. Gray succeed in temporarily knocking out the Veldwezelt bridge before crashing to the ground. Both crewmen are awarded the British Victoria Cross posthumously.

Fighters from I./JG 1 also bring down seven Blenheims of RAF No. 139 Squadron including the Blenheim that carried out the first RAF sortie of the War on 4 September, 1939. The rest of the Gruppe destroys sixteen Belgian aircraft on the ground at Diest. Eight British Hurricanes are claimed between pilots of I./JG 1 and I./JG 27. Other fighters from JG 27 escort dive-bombers of StG 2 and StG 77 attacking French army columns. Lt. Fritz Keller of 2./JG 27 belly lands near Liege after combat, the first crash for the lieutenant this month.

.