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The German occupation of the Netherlands in 1940 ended one hundred years of neutrality. The Dutch government had hoped that the armed forces, assisted by England and France, would deter the enemy. They also expected that the Dutch forces would be able to defend the western part of the country (where the seat of government in The Hague and Amsterdam were situated) for several weeks to even three months. However, fighting lasted only five days. On 14 May, Rotterdam was bombed by airplanes. The strong wind ignited the fire caused by the bombing and an estimate of 600 to 900 people died. The German army command threatened to destroy Utrecht as well. The Netherlands capitulated.
On May 13, Queen Wilhelmina and her ministers fled to London. Many other Dutch people tried to reach England, but only a small number succeeded. Approximately 200 Jews committed suicide in those chaotic days.

1. German invasion in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
   NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
2. German forces cross a border barrier, South Limburg, 10 May 1940
   Unknown photographer, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
3. Dutch citizens read the latest news about the German invasion, Amsterdam, 10 May 1940
   Unknown photographer, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
4. German paratroopers land in the densely populated western part of the country in the early hours of the morning, Ypenburg, 10 May 1940
   Unknown photographer, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
5. Crown princess Juliana with daughters Irene (on her lap) and Beatrix in front of the air-raid shelter in the garden of Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. On 12 May, the royal family left for London in order to escape the Germans.
   Photo by Prince Bernhard, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
6. German emergency bridge over the IJssel, May 1940.
   The Dutch army had strategically destroyed major bridges to deter the advance of the German forces.
   Unknown photographer, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
7. German soldiers clambering over the remains of a destroyed bridge, St. Servaesbrug, Maastricht, 10 May 1940 .
   Unknown photographer, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
8. German soldiers during fierce fighting with the Dutch army, Grebbeberg, 12 May 1940.
   Unknown photographer, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam.
9. The bodies of Dutch soldiers killed in action being buried in the presence of German soldiers, Grebbeberg, 16 May 1940.
   Unknown photographer, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam.
10. The heavily damaged centre of Rotterdam after the German bombing, 14 May 1940.
    Unknown photographer, NIOD Collection, Amsterdam.
11. One of the first German ordinances after the capitulation prohibited the Dutch from raising prices, May 1940. NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
    NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
12. An appeal by the German military authority to the Dutch nation asking people to stay calm and maintain order, accept the new authority, and to be loyal and cooperative, May 1940.
    NIOD Collection, Amsterdam
13. Proclamation of the Reich Commissioner Arthur Seyss-Inquart, 29 may 1940
    In this proclamation Seyss-Inquart* announces that he will: ‘be the highest authority of Civil Administration of the Dutch nation, which is under protection of the German troops, in order to maintain public order.' It is his intention to respect Dutch laws and independent judicial procedures as much as possible and to consult the Dutch government in carrying out his duties. In exchange, all the judges, civil servants, and officials must follow his ordinances. The Dutch nation is expected to accept this situation ‘with understanding and self control’.
    NIOD Collection, Amsterdam