Holland 1940
The Luftwaffe’s First Setback in the West

AIR CAMPAIGN 23

 

This 96-page paperback book is the 23^rd book in the Air Campaign series of books that are available from Osprey Publications

Folker D.XXI

The German invasion of the Netherlands was meant to be a lightning-fast surgical strike, aimed at shoring up the right flank of the assault on France and Belgium. With a bold plan based largely on Luftwaffe air power, air-landing troops, and the biggest airborne assault yet seen, a Dutch surrender was expected within 24 hours.

Primary & Secondary Airfields In Use On 10 May 1940

But the Netherlands possessed Europe’s first fully integrated anti-aircraft network, as well as modern and competitive aircraft. On 10 May, the German attack was only partly successful, and the Dutch fought on for another four days. On the fifth day, with its original strategy having largely failed, the Luftwaffe resorted to terror-bombing Rotterdam to force a surrender.

Ju-52-3m Transport

Explaining the technical capabilities and campaign plans of the two sides, and charting how the battles were fought, this fascinating book reassesses this little-known part of World War II. Author Ryan K. Noppen argues that while the Holland campaign was a tactical victory for Germany, the ability of the well-prepared but outnumbered Dutch to inflict heavy losses was a warning of what would come in the Battle of Britain.

Wreck Of D-XXI 222

CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION
  • The Dutch defences
  • Fallschirmjäger and Luftlande troops
• ATTACKER’S CAPABILITIES
  • Luftflotte 2 in the Holland operation
  • Fighter cover for airborne operations
  • Strike capabilities
  • The transports
  • ORDERS OF BATTLE – MAY 10, 1940
• DEFENDER’S CAPABILITIES
  • The Dutch defences
  • Dutch military aircraft in the 1930s
  • ORDER OF BATTLE, MAY 10, 1040
• CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES
  • Unternehmen F
• THE CAMPAIGN
  • Five costly days
  • Operations on 10 May 1940
  • Attack on Schiphol
  • Attack on Bergen
  • Attack on De Kooy
  • Luftwaffe airborne operations within the Vesting Holland
  • Operations on May 11-14, 1940
• ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• INDEX

Tanks Of 9 Pz Division

Conclusion

The Luftwaffe through they could bring the Netherlands down to their knees in a single day. However, as history has showed us they failed on that time line but did eventually conquer Holland. The Air War was a highly contested battle as the Netherlands had one of the most modern Anti-aircraft batteries in Europe. The Historian will enjoy this book as it takes the reader through the campaign. The wargamer will use the information presented in this book to create their own air battles while reinforcing their knowledge on aircraft specifications that were used during the campaign. Finally, there is the modeler. The modeler can use the photographs presented in the book as a guide in creating their own dioramas. Holland 1940 the Luftwaffe’s First setback in the West like the previous Air Campaign book, Norway 1940, is another book on a subject not often covered but that will make an excellent addition to anyone’s library.

This 96-page paperback book is the 23^rd book in the Air Campaign series of books that are available from Osprey Publications

Paperback 9781472846693

$24.00

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(The photographs used in this review are copied with the permission of Osprey Publications.)