Holland considered itself Neutral, just as in WW1. I must say that the prevailing political thought in Holland at the time was one of not facing reality; We were neutral and we were sure all parties concerned would honor that. Germany (Hitler) had given it solemn vow Germany wouldn't attack Holland!

Therefor and also, the Dutch armed forces had to make due with guns and weaponary that were way out-dated and sometimes came straight out of WW1. Certainly no match for the mordern German army. (A Dutch army vet from those days told me that his Artillery battery had six WW1 type guns. Three blew up when the first round was fired. They themselves blew up the remaining three and made their way west, finally ending up in France and England.)

In case of attack (which, that much they DID realise, would come from Germany), the Dutch depened on their defensive line that had helped defend them for centuries; the Dutch Water line; inundate large pieces of country in Central and South Holland. Damn those Paratroopers! The use of these troops rendered the waterlinie useless.

As a side note; Holland realised that if Germany attacked, the French and especially British would invade Holland to try and stop the German Advance, so some troops were stationed in the south of Holland to counter any Allied intrusion into Holland. Mind you, we were Neutral, so no army would be allowed to enter Holland.

Besides that, Holland is un-defendable; a popular saying was that the Germans Drove their tanks in top gear, maximum speed towards the German-Dutch border, shifted into neutral when they crossed the border and came to a standstill at the Dutch Northsea coast... Holland is tiny, flat and has no natural defensive possibilities.

I think it is a wonder we held out for 5 days as it was. At some points the Germans never broke through!

[ 15. June 2003, 04:02 AM: Message edited by: Stevin Oudshoorn ]

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