 Netherlands from the Germans Netherlands from the Germans Translation of the broadcast: May 15, UFA Tonwoche No The crossing of the Dutch border is conducted in thick morning fog. The bridges over the Juliana Canal have been for the most part been readied. The military engineers have constructed what is necessary in a short time. Here is a military pontoon bridge. Advance across the border roads. A tank easily removes a Dutch road obstacle. In a sudden attack the bridge over the Juliana Canal has been taken before the Dutch could blow it up. At this crossing a short but bitter fight took place in the early morning hours, but the enemy was quickly thrown back. German troops on the Albert Canal. The Belgians could only manage to blow up a part of the bridge. The remainder of the explosives are removed by military engineers. The first Belgian prisoners. The advance continues without halting. Wherever German troops encounter resistance, it is broken with all weapons. The numerous watercourses and canals in Holland and Belgium pose an additional difficulty for the German troops. However, there is no stopping. All the obstacles are quickly overcome. After a quick fight, the garrison at the bridge at Maastricht surrenders to the advancing German troops.

The British and French wanted to defend forts here They were surprised by Germans who came through here The British and French troops were essentially trapped here The Germans were able to divide the British and French troops. The British retreated to Dunkirk, France. But were again trapped.

Operation Sea Lion- the German code name for this attack- began in July 1940 It began with small, quick German bomber attacks against British ships in the channel Britain did not respond to defend their ships- they knew their best plan was to conserve resources for the REAL battle

In early August 1940, Hitler launched a massive air strike on the bases in southern England Eagle Day On August 30 th, Germany sent 1,400 bombers and fighters across the English Channel The Germans brought down only 13 British jets, but lost more than 40 of their own