An official proclamation said:
“Since 3 A.M. German troops have crossed the Netherland frontier and German planes have tried to attack airports. Inundations are effective according to plans. The army anti-aircraft batteries were found prepared. So far as is known six German planes have been shot down.”
(French, Belgian and British planes were sighted over the Netherlands this morning, a Reuters (British news agency) dispatch said in quoting the Netherland radio station at Hilversum, near Amsterdam.
German troops were first reported crossing the Netherland frontier near Roermond, eight miles north of the Belgian frontier. German planes landed troops by parachute at strategic points near Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam and other large cities.
A large number of the German troops landed by parachute were said to be dressed in Netherland military uniforms.
Other Germans crossed the Maas River in rubber boats to Netherland territory. They were said to be reaching the Netherland side in “considerable numbers.”
A fierce air battle raged over Amsterdam as Netherland fighter planes dived repeatedly on German bombers and troop transport planes with chattering machine guns.
Schiphol Airdrome outside Amsterdam, the nation’s largest, was heavily bombed. Military authorities immediately threw a heavy guard around the airdrome in an effort to defend it against German parachute troops.
Planes identified as German Heinkels bombed Schiphol Airdrome repeatedly, loosing some thirty heavy caliber bombs on the landing field between 5:15 and 5:30 A.M.
Reports poured in of planes in great numbers over a score of Netherland cities. Netherland authorities, hurriedly organizing defense, flashed orders to the whole country to be on the alert against parachute troops.
Fifty planes were over Nijmegen, sixty miles southeast of Amsterdam on the German border.
A number of parachute troops reportedly landed at Sliedrecht, Delft and several other points. Delft is twelve and a half miles from The Hague. About 100 parachute troops were landed near Dordrecht, thirty-eight miles southwest of Amsterdam.
Hundreds of troops were landed at Hoogezwaluwe, whose big bridge is the major communicating link between the northern and southern parts of the country. A large number of German troops landed by parachute at Leiden. Others landed at Waalhaven, major airport of Rotterdam, and at Rozenburg Island, near Rotterdam.
The lightning attack did not take the Netherlands completely by surprise as the country had been in intense fear of invasion for days and defense measures had been taken.
The Amsterdam radio announced that Netherland troops had captured a number of German parachute troops, wearing German uniforms, near The Hague.
Twenty-four planes appeared over Rotterdam, biggest port in the Netherlands, at 5:50 A.M.
Among towns throughout the country where foreign planes were sighted, including planes identified as German bombers in flights ranging from one to fifty, were Den Haag, Rotterdam, Hook of Holland, Haarlem, Tilburg, Zalt Bommel, Geldermalsen, Venloo, Alkmaar, Maastricht, Hengelo, Scheveningen, Arnhem, Leiden and Emmen.
The descent of swarms of foreign war planes on the Netherlands came after a night of alarms and a week-long period of tension bred by fear the country would be invaded. All public communications between the Netherlands and the outside world were taken over by the government last night, canals were locked and extraordinary measures taken for national safety.
FIRST ACTIVITY AT AMSTERDAM
The first aerial activity began at 2:41 A.M., Netherland time, when Amsterdam anti-aircraft batteries first fired at foreign planes.
When the Amsterdam anti-aircraft batteries opened up they fired for four minutes at planes whose motors could be heard plainly over the residential section of South Amsterdam. Reports coming into Amsterdam from various points said numbers of planes crossed the northern half of the Netherlands and the Frisian Islands, flying from east to west.
Amsterdam’s anti-aircraft guns blazed again at 4:05 A.M. Intense activity in the air was reported from points throughout the Netherlands, with huge squadrons of foreign planes crossing back and forth.
A squadron of foreign planes was reported circling over Helder, Netherland naval base on the northwest coast at the entrance to Ysselmeer, and six German seaplanes were reported circling over Ijmuiden in Central Holland.
At 5:40 A.M. twelve Heinkel planes and five seaplanes were sighted over Sliedrecht flying westward.
It was said that the parachute troops who had floated down near Haagscheschouw, between Leiden and The Hague, were dressed in Netherland military uniforms. At 5:50 A.M. informants said:
“A great number of parachute troops are landing at many places. All of them are clad in Netherland Army uniforms.”
PLANE REPORTED DOWNED
It was reported that one German plane had been shot down near the Schiphol Airdrome.
A number of German parachute troops in German uniforms were captured by patrols on the outskirts of The Hague, it was reported.
It was reported without confirmation that German Messerschmitt planes had “landed” at the Schiphol Airdrome. It could not be ascertained immediately whether the planes had been shot down or whether they had landed of their own accord.
At 6 A,M. more parachute troops were dropped near Ravesteyn, close to Nijmegen.
Fifteen Heinkel bombers were sighted over Delft at 5:50 A.M. A few minutes later an additional twenty-one German planes passed over Rotterdam, apparently heading for the Ypenburg Airport.
At 6:20 A.M. the official radio for the first time said “foreign planes” were landing “enemy” parachute troops. The official announcer said a large formation of planes had just been sighted near The Hague.
At 6:30 A.M. the official radio said:
“New and large formations of planes are arriving constantly from Germany.”
At 6:40 A.M. twenty-two German planes were observed flying westward at Rhenen near Utrecht.
It was reported that at least two Netherland planes had been set on fire and destroyed on the ground during the bombing of the Schiphol Airdrome.
Roads leading out of Amsterdam were choked with automobiles soon after daylight. They were heaped with household goods as residents fled in fear of German aerial bombing of the city.
Parachutists began landing in increasing numbers after 7:30 A.M. in the southern part of the country, particularly in the Eindhoven area.
MAY 10, 1940
ALLIED HELP SPED
Netherland and Belgian Appeals Answered by British and French
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, May 10—The British Government received appeals for help early today from both the Netherlands and Belgium.
The British and French reply to the Netherlands-Belgian appeals was prompt. Representatives of the respective governments here were told by 8:30 A.M. (3:30 A.M. New York time) they could expect all the help Britain could give them.
The Netherland Legation here received assurance that its country and Belgium were now regarded as Allies of Britain and France.
Within a few minutes after receipt of official news of the invasion of the Low Countries, the British Cabinet was called to 10 Downing Street and was in session with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.
The German invasion of the Low Countries had been expected in London, and it must be presumed the Allies were ready for it to some extent.
ALLIES VISIBLE TO PLANES
The biggest handicap to the British and French was in the timing of the German thrust at dawn. This prevented the Allies moving troops under cover of darkness, and since hundreds of German planes already had flown over practically all of Netherland and Belgian territory for some hours, the disposition of Allied troops and their every movement must have been known to the German High Command.
While the Netherlanders and Belgians had taken every precaution against a surprise attack, the general belief had been that Adolf Hitler would try first to consolidate his position in Norwa
y and make secure his new air bases at Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo before any fresh adventure. Now it is regarded here as probable that Herr Hitler sought to take advantage of the London political situation, when the minds of British leaders were engrossed with possible reconstruction of the government.
AIM AT BRITAIN IS SEEN
It now appears almost certain that the Germans decided to take a gamble to try to win the war this year while their superiority in men and machines was at its peak.
But unlike their strategy in the World War, it is generally believed in authoritative quarters here that the Germans have no intention of carrying out a great right wheel against France, but that their objective is to take the Netherlands and Belgium, solidify their positions there and then concentrate their entire attack against Britain.
Once in possession of the North Sea coast line all the way from Trondheim, Norway, to the English Channel, experts here believe Germany would then concentrate on trying by air and submarine attack to blockade Britain into starvation and submission.
While both Britain and France knew that, since last November the Germans had been in position to attack the Low Countries at a minute’s notice and while French officials had expressed surprise yesterday that the Nazis had not then made a new attack to take advantage of the British political crisis, there was very little evidence to indicate that the attack was coming this morning.
FRENCH TROOPS BELIEVED READY
Wireless to The New York Times.
PARIS, May 10—France today, in the midst of an air-raid alarm, learned of the double invasion of the Netherlands and Belgium by German forces. Appeals for help from the governments of both countries were transmitted by telephone, and a Cabinet Council was summoned immediately.
According to fragmentary reports received thus far, a memorandum from the German Government addressed to the Netherland and Belgian Governments announcing that German forces would enter their territories to prevent invasion by the Allies was covered by a mass arrival of airplanes.
The reaction here was immediate, and there is no doubt but that the divisions of French and British forces close to the Belgian frontier are ready. [At this point a few words were removed by the censor.]
Keen interest attaches here to the reaction of the United States, for it is felt that “this absolutely unjustified invasion of strictly neutral countries” will arouse the highest indignation among Americans, as it does here.
It raises the question of international protection for Netherland and Belgian colonies and the assistance of the United States in watching over the Netherlands Indies, something that would be welcomed here with the warmest satisfaction.
The Allies doubtless will communicate directly to President Roosevelt their decisions on the Belgian and Netherland appeal. American condemnation, it is thought here, can hardly be withheld.
The case of the Netherlands and Belgium, which since the outbreak of the hostilities last September have scrupulously observed every possible rule to keep them from being involved, is held in French official circles to prove that there can no longer be any possibility for a nation within striking range of Germany to remain neutral. One by one, they must expect to meet the fate of Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium, unless they call the Allies to their assistance in time.
Even outside Europe, it is argued, nations cannot now remain indifferent to the conflict in which it is obvious their interests will be utterly disregarded.
MAY 11, 1940
CHAMBERLAIN RESIGNS, CHURCHILL PREMIER
COALITION ASSURED
Labor Decides to Allow Leaders to Join New National Cabinet
OLD MINISTERS STAY
Churchill Asks Them to Remain Until They Can Be Replaced
By RAYMOND DANIEL
Special Cable to The New York Times
LONDON, May 10—In the gravest crisis Great Britain has faced sincethe World War, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister tonight as Allied armies raced across Belgium again for a death grapple with invading German armies.
Neville Chamberlain, who had headed the government since just after King George VI ascended the throne, resigned early in the evening after convincing himself that it was impossible to remain and give the country the truly national government that the people want.
A genuine coalition Cabinet was assured when the executive committee of the Labor party declared that it would accept a share in a government headed by a new Prime Minister who had the nation’s confidence. This is expected also to result in the entry of Liberals into the government.
INVASION FAILS TO SAVE CABINET
The German invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, which transformed the static conflict of the West into a total European if not yet World War, had been expected throughout the day to “freeze” Mr. Chamberlain in his job for a short time at least, despite the poor showing in Wednesday’s division when the government’s majority in the House of Commons was cut from 200 to eighty-one.
That Mr. Chamberlain would have to relinquish his high office became apparent last night when Clement R. Attlee and Arthur Greenwood, the Opposition Labor leaders, informed him to his face that they would not consent to serve in a Cabinet that he headed. Thus they provided the cue for the undecided Liberals and Conservatives who were critical of the government.
Without these dissidents, it was felt it would be impossible for the man who brought back “peace in our time” from Munich to establish a government satisfactory to the disturbed Members of Parliament and their worried constituents. These were too angry at the let-down to their hopes of the Allied withdrawal from Norway after the optimistic buildup their press had given them about the success of operations across the North Sea.
DEMAND FOR COALITION
After the acrimonious debate that followed the Prime Minister’s admission that the campaign in Central and Southern Norway was at an end, it was apparent that the country demanded a new administration in which the Opposition would share the responsibilities of leadership.
Early this evening Mr. Chamberlain drove to Buckingham Palace and told the King he thought the time had come for him to relinquish his seals of office. Soon afterward Mr. Churchill, who has been the nearest approach to a war leader this country has had since the conflict began went to the Palace also and accepted an invitation to form a government.
This came as something of a surprise, for it was known that as late as last night, Mr. Chamberlain favored Foreign Secretary Viscount Halifax as his successor. A small crowd was waiting at Whitehall when the following announcement was issued from there:
“The Right Hon. Neville Chamberlain, M. P., resigned the office of Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury this evening. And the Right Hon. Winston Churchill, M. P., accepted His Majesty’s invitation to fill the position.
“The Prime Minister desires that all Ministers should remain at their posts and discharge their functions with full freedom and responsibility while the necessary arrangements for formation of a new administration are made.”
Mr. Churchill, who will move from Admiralty House to No. 10 Downing Street as soon as Mr. Chamberlain can move out, is expected to announce selection of his colleagues tomorrow or next day.
The German invasion of the Low Countries made it urgently necessary that the confused political situation here should be resolved immediately and a government that would have the united support of all elements in Parliament be established to lead the nation. That this could be accomplished only after Mr. Chamberlain’s resignation became clear this morning after the meeting of the executive committee of the Parliamentary Labor party.
MAY 11, 1940
WARS CHIEF FACTOR IN CHURCHILL’S LIFE
New Prime Minister, Whether as Soldier or Civilian, Won Reputation In Battles
For Winston Churchill, the post of war Prime Minister of Great Britain brings to a peak a career inextricably bound with war, both as a soldier and as a governing official.
A grandson of the seven
th Duke of Marborough, he was schooled at Harrow and at Sandhurst, British military academy. He served in four campaigns before he reached his twenty-fifth year, and when, in the First World War, he was forced from the post of First Lord of the Admiralty, he took a command in France as a major and was promoted later to lieutenant colonel.
Hardly had he been graduated from Sandhurst and joined his regiment, the Fourth Hussars, in 1895, than he began looking for a war, and the same year found him in Cuba as war correspondent for The Daily Graphic of London.
HERO IN BOER WAR
He returned to England and his regiment in 1896 and was sent to India, where he saw action in Malakand. He was in a campaign in Egypt under Lord Kitchener, and covered the Boer War for The Morning Post of London. He was made prisoner, escaped and eventually returned home to find all England hailing him as a hero.
He had written several books, and he entered politics for good now. He was elected to Parliament from Oldham, but switched from the Conservative to the Liberal party, and in 1907 became president of the Board of Trade and a close friend of David Lloyd George. He served also as Home Secretary.
Winston Churchill at his seat in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street, London, circa 1940.
He became the First Lord of the Admiralty in 1911, and three years later he had the fleet in position when the declaration of war came. He was one of those responsible for the disastrous attempt to force the Dardanelles. Badly organized because coordination between the Army and the Navy was lacking, the campaign failed and Mr. Churchill was severely criticized. A reorganization of the Cabinet in 1915 left him out of the War Council, and he resigned a minor post as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to take a command in the Sixth Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers.
The New York Times Book of World War II, 1939-1945 Page 27
