atlantic campaign atlantic campaign complicated series counter conducted squadrons french_navy british_royal_navy atlantic_ocean spring summer napoleonic wars campaign followed directly campaign year french mediterranean_fleet crossed atlantic returned europe joined spanish fleet october combined force destroyed british fleet lord nelson battle campaign end battle cape november believing french_navy capable organised resistance sea winter lord admiralty lord withdrew british blockade squadrons harbour french atlantic fleet based brest involved campaign strength taking advantage reduction british forces port napoleon ordered heavy squadrons sea instructions raid british trade routes avoiding contact equivalent royal_navy forces departing brest december days admiralty london aware french movements time french squadrons deep atlantic vice admiral intending cruise caribbean admiral jean sailing south atlantic british squadrons hastily mustered dispatched pursuit command rear admiral sir richard rear admiral sir john warren squadrons joined rear admiral sir john thomas deserted station learned news french squadron south subsequently crossed atlantic pursuit managed escape south atlantic successful discovered destroyed battle san domingo february combined force rear admiral alexander squadrons sea embroiled campaign smaller squadron raiding african coast commodore jean august provided diversion major campaign failed draw significant british forces remnants french squadron admiral charles operating indian_ocean intercepted defeated warren march chance encounter journey france achieved minor success operations south atlantic caribbean caught summer hurricane return journey ships scattered eastern north_america intercepted destroyed british forces badly damaged storm forced shelter american ports survivors gradually returned brest autumn arriving early campaign significant operation atlantic remainder war french squadron size left ports losses suffered brest fleet weakened severely participate major operation attempt break brest ended defeat battle roads background march french mediterranean_fleet vice admiral charles successfully broke toulon harbour avoiding british blockade fleet vice admiral lord nelson sailing westwards mediterranean atlantic nelson following days joined spanish squadron crossed ocean caribbean anchored martinique nelson arrived barbados june panicked british arrival immediately returned europe nelson close orders specified sail brest french naval port bay join fleet vice admiral force drive royal_navy english channel preparation invasion britain passed spanish port july intercepted british fleet vice admiral sir robert ensuing battle cape captured spanish ships failed inflict decisive blow squadron later sailed spain principal atlantic nelson arrived shortly initiated blockade port october combined franco spanish fleet sailed intercepted nelson resulting battle nelson killed height battle squadron inflicted devastating defeat combined fleet capturing destroying french spanish ships including flagship battered remnants french mediterranean spanish atlantic fleets retreated french ships fled north intercepted captured battle cape weeks later total campaign cost napoleon french spanish ships eliminating possibility regional superiority sea preventing planned invasion britain indefinitely postponed elimination french spanish fleets end threat french invasion widely celebrated britain seen lord admiralty lord opportunity reduce costs damage ships withdrawing atlantic blockade britain winter assumption battered french_navy unable unwilling operate sea period wrote little purpose wear ships fruitless blockade winter french plans seriously strength brest fleet campaign strength napoleon observed brief stay caribbean acted major threat british trade delaying convoys causing panic west indian merchants french naval authorities inspired effect raiding squadron admiral escaped july caused significant disruption british trade atlantic remained sea north african coast seeking repeat effects napoleon sent orders commander brest vice admiral november strong squadrons prepared service atlantic leave brest cover darkness december orders strike deep atlantic intercept merchant convoys encountered subsequently squadrons separate south atlantic caribbean cause disruption british intercontinental trade possible orders encouraged engage royal_navy force equivalent size larger avoid risk captured destroyed selected ships line operation including gun rate flagship vice admiral sail caribbean ships line frigates corvette squadron carried french soldiers augment garrison santo domingo general jean louis required spend months blockading jamaica cruising american eastern newfoundland returning france food supplies ran low squadron given admiral jean orders cruise shipping lanes south atlantic sailing leeward_islands communicating french colonies martinique guadeloupe blockading barbados british opposition strong return south atlantic saint returning france food supplies ran low squadron consisted ships line frigates included captains emperor younger brother squadrons carried months provisions expected capture intended raiding operations long months causing severe indirect damage british economy restricting movement trade december december majority british blockade squadron anchored bay remainder driven far offshore winter gale french squadrons sailed brest bay unnoticed days passed nearly nautical miles atlantic_ocean encountered british merchant convoy pursuit convoy sailing britain gibraltar escorted gun hms captain robert frigate hms captain william heavily outnumbered convoy turned away ran wind close pursuit later day second convoy appeared north ships sailing caribbean escorted frigates hms captain charles brisbane hms captain john brig hms wasp distracted ordered squadron pursuit ships captured number convoy managed escaped narrowly avoiding unequal encounter french ships line convoy dispersed gathered scattered forces frigate spanish island prizes turning remainder squadron southwards designated cruising grounds north gradually approached brisbane convoy night close morning december response brisbane formed warships line battle accompanied larger merchant ships force hope resist main force enable vessels escape blocking french squadron frigates chasing ignoring escaping convoy formed line battle continued close brisbane faster ships steadily pulled away french day darkness fell abandoned pursuit turned south brisbane immediately brest wasp blockade squadrons atlantic urgent warnings french operations eastern atlantic brisbane remained distant contact day french squadron away brisbane continued southwards remainder convoy seeking british blockade squadron cruise november french squadron admiral encountered british convoy savage islands squadron return journey france encountered convoy consisting merchant ships sailing britain escort brig hms commander frederick gave orders convoy french approached turning northwards search rear admiral sir john thomas squadron reaching november immediately sailed pursuit leaving frigates watch absence sailing south squadron reached december passing days later sighting french ships continuing south cape_verde islands reluctantly conceded french squadron escaped retired northwards encountered brisbane reduced convoy december tracking presumed course ships continued northwards course intercept french squadron december approximately nautical miles northwest islands squadron spotted sails distance squadron estimated approximately ships initially believed enemy possibly accompanied prizes captured cruise closed french clear different squadron altogether fact target despite french admiral efforts steadily gaining ships line hms superb hms hms rest british squadron december flagship superb nautical miles french ship nautical miles nautical miles distant rest squadron nautical miles leaders completely sight ship hms nautical miles superb compact french squadron advantage british dispersed able bring powerful force engage french equal battle distance individual british ships great allow provide mutual support turned face fury officers called pursuit decision heavily criticised time subsequently historian william james commenting superb brought action course hours french ship issue reasonable calculation favourable british gathering scattered squadron frigate hms britain news french activity eastern atlantic message suggesting french probably destined dutch_east_indies turned southwest leeward_islands resupply ships preparation resuming blockade january ordered hms powerful captain robert sail indian_ocean reinforce british squadron case squadron reached asian waters british response word french break reach britain december arrived gibraltar news report understated size french forces claiming seven ships line broken frigates recognising error withdrawing blockade immediately ordered squadrons prepare sea vice admiral sir john warren gathered including second rate hms london ships line formed bay rear admiral sir richard consisted second rate hms george ships line ordered cruise mid-atlantic search missing french squadrons warren vicinity subsequently west_indies eventually joining squadrons rear admiral alexander vice admiral james richard pass saint cruise west african coast cape good hope guarding vital trade route eastern atlantic connected britain india unable discover french instructed attach squadron commodore home sent invade dutch base cape good hope autumn battle san domingo january squadron anchored bay barbados sending hms additional water supplies january squadron sailed anchored took fresh food water january ships west indian squadron joined hms northumberland captain john morrison hms captain samuel northumberland flagship rear admiral alexander met new information french movements region fact arrived caribbean january passage delayed departing brisbane convoy december ships damaged dispersed series winter storms azores troops santo domingo french admiral repairs ships awaited arrival missing brave took supplies weeks preparation raiding operations west_indies february british sloop hms arrived news french ships line spotted santo domingo immediately weighted anchor sailed port passing thomas february passage following day february frigate hms captain adam joined squadron accompanied captured danish schooner recently departed santo domingo crew able precise account french squadron anchor harbour danish ship left port number french officers concerned schooner reveal details presence british demanded seize burn vessel admiral refused early morning february scouting frigates sighted squadron port santo domingo french reported british squadron admiral ordered ships sail line battle westwards coast direction closed leading ships flagship superb followed northumberland rest ships formed second division led rear admiral thomas louis hms rapidly fell leading division opened fire northumberland engaged french ships line flagship minutes fallen line dragging south northumberland suffered severe damage heavy gun batteries louis squadron arrived ship passed leaving shattered passed melee surrounding hms targeted brave hms attacked rapidly surrendered followed shortly french rear defeated remaining british ships focused attack intense smoke blocked british view caused fire disabled northumberland surrounded enemies escape impossible decided drive remaining ships shore surrender steering beach closely pursued deliberately grounded enemy line destroyed anchored offshore observe french activity grounded ships conduct hasty repairs range british fire small boats evacuated remaining sailors lost masts rapidly filling water sent frigates february clear ships repair british boarding parties removing remaining crew prisoners setting fire hulls british casualties engagement killed wounded french total estimated accurate counts taken aftermath battle enemy defeated detached northumberland hms barbados took rest squadron jamaica prizes acclaimed victory celebrated britain news reached europe brig hms awards distributed officers squadron overlooked abandonment failure bring battle december earned lord commander chief mediterranean_fleet blocked awards subordinate historians william james william suggested victorious san domingo probably faced court martial cruise south atlantic december sailed south atlantic intending pass indian_ocean cruise cape good hope anticipation arrival british china fleet china fleet large annual convoy east originated passed straits indian_ocean cape good hope north atlantic_ocean arriving british waters months departure passage convoy gathered ships british colonies indian_ocean time passed southern tip africa contained dozens vessels combining heavy armaments east strong royal_navy escort china fleet formidable target french raiding squadrons battle february china fleet drove powerful french squadron admiral charles sharp encounter planned resupply squadron cape searching china fleet crew merchant ship captured south atlantic informed dutch governors surrendered january expeditionary force general sir david commodore days fighting turning away cape decided continue operations south atlantic april brazil supplies fortunate collected information attempting anchor table bay ordered ships shore facilities continue fly dutch flag hope enemy ships lured range port gun batteries march ruse worked successfully frigate detached squadron december anchored midst squadron realising identity outnumbered captain choice surrender british boarding party discovering british soldiers hold captured convoy destruction operated south atlantic british squadrons warren hunted hundreds miles north warren squadron cruised eastern atlantic monitoring trade routes ran coast west_africa focused western atlantic particularly southern approaches caribbean position intercept began return journey north warren position afforded opportunity watch french allied vessels returning europe east march hms london reported sails northeast captain sir harry ordered ship pursuit ships squadron warren gave order follow london case sails proved french distant ships fact remains squadron sea march operated indian_ocean conducted string commerce raids achieved minimal success hampered lack naval stores france face enemy squadron missed opportunities battle escorted sir thomas reduced detachments squadron consisted ship line frigate march sighted sails southwest despite officers ordered investigate hope discovered merchant convoy london collided darkness recognising strange ship royal_navy second rate desperately turning away effort escape slow opened fire rapidly inflicting damage french flagship captain assisted admiral long possible swung away british frigate hms amazon pursuing closely fighting continued half hours defending ship mounting odds rest warren squadron came range northeast amazon succeeded catching british frigate inflicting damage french ship closed unable escape continue fight surrendered time french admiral severely wounded taken french losses killed wounded british casualties killed wounded following engagement warren returned britain prizes leaving eastern half atlantic temporarily caribbean beginning april british admiral hunting squadron following withdrawal warren squadron hampered movements presence gun hms george slow operate effectively fast response force returning britain early april resupply detached george hms new flagship blockade plymouth joined additional ships line frigates fast ships capable extended operations early news reached britain stay subsequent departure mid april ordered pursuit sailing west_indies leaving brazil steered french colony divided ships squadrons increase raiding operations west_indies briefly considered attack bay barbados withdrew claiming wind tide squadron based bay came pursuit french captured flagship northumberland forcing french ship withdraw fort france martinique june blockaded port joined hms elephant captain george hms canada captain john harvey northumberland damaged storm british temporarily withdrew saint allowing reach fort france june following week rest squadron joined ignoring efforts intercept ships entered harbour july left fort france ships sailed seizing merchant ships harbour british governor sent urgent messages authorities hastily evacuated ship convoy anchored sandy point protection gun frigate hms ships missed warning july ships detached squadron day descended islands seizing vessels attacking remaining gathered hill gunfire hill batteries drove attacking french ships july rejoined squadron news annual jamaica convoy large collection merchant ships sailed year caribbean britain summer anchored recognised danger jamaica squadron overtaken waiting french squadron thomas ships line frigates july sighted south east thomas orders napoleon risk battle turned away passed thomas passage islands french driven sailed nearly ships gathered prepare convoy journey europe frustrated efforts intercept convoy anchor determined meet sea sailing banks waited convoy seizing ships came sight squadron including neutral vessels case revealed position weeks saw british holding convoy obtained information location french squadron night july bored waiting convoy captain sailed northwards away squadron acting orders admiral dawn broke august panicked disappearance assuming ship accidentally separated began search missing vessel important commander distracted missing ship finished preparing convoy unable delay departure longer sent large merchant ships eastwards protection small ship line frigates significantly inferior force convoy passed cruising ground august french admiral north searching time returned convoy far east journey britain absence meant missed potential encounter admiral warren returned atlantic search following victory march warren sailed june july anchored barbados august searched eastern bahamas failed discover french squadron time searching far north hurricane squadron unexpectedly depleted principal target escaped food supplies running low decided begin final stage cruise sail newfoundland escaping pursuit warren convoys fishing fleets crossed area turning northwards august nautical miles north east puerto_rico squadron struck fierce hurricane storm found flagship badly damaged entirely rigging jury masts began slowly spanish port havana cuba repairs needed journey france nearly month encountered september havana sight heavy british frigate hms captain charles appeared sent boat havana assistance frigate approached opened fire far larger significantly damaged incapable rapid manoeuvres gave hope capturing fire flagship proved strong away men killed wounded spanish ships including ship line san came assist hours safely anchored heavily fortified harbour rest squadron successful attempts reach safety badly damaged blown north west eastern united_states encountered squadron passed bahamas searched nautical miles caught hurricane dispersed french squadron damaged opponents ships began gathering chesapeake_bay intention continuing search temporary repairs completed september ships line hms captain william hms captain john douglas frigate hms captain stephen cruising cape henry search flagship hms spotted ship sailing jury masts southwest closing investigate discovered stranger french ship left leaking state hurricane desperately attempting reach harbour united_states commodore joseph immediately steered coast avoid unequal combat drove ship shore united_states soil opened fire attack followed boats boarding parties seized appearance sails horizon later discovered british convinced abandon wreck remaining french crew taken aboard frigate prisoners gave orders wreck burnt destruction united_states territory prompted complaints french consul norfolk virginia captains sheltered following storm badly damaged high winds repairs took year commodore joseph waiting december journey france arrived january narrowly avoiding blockade squadron temporarily position fresh supplies repaired difficulty obtaining required naval stores proved great broken ship returned france frigate sheltered delaware river following hurricane later forced sail river philadelphia avoid attacks british raiding parties repairs proved complex broken years later flagship succeed returning france sailing havana late arriving brest february original squadron ships returned france immediately separated storm captain assisted specially selected veteran crew managed intercept convoy travelling quebec britain escorted gun hms champion captain robert howe august desperate attempt draw french ship line ignored small escort ship seized merchant vessels setting fire champion transport escaped accompanied merchant ships august days deserted squadron nearing french coast chased gun hms gibraltar captain lake frigates hms hms captains william robert thomas baker closely pursued reliable officers placed abandoned intended destination instead expert local knowledge direct tiny port time ship line successfully anchored harbour captain court abandoning admiral orders permission emperor brother instead praised quebec convoy promoted soon surviving ship squadron passed hurricane relatively intact way europe arriving weeks later minor operations addition squadrons french authorities sent forces atlantic campaign separate operations intended pass unnoticed cover major campaign deliberate expeditions draw british forces away main theatre operations expedition expedition west_africa commodore jean sailed end campaign orders attack merchant shipping west_africa await reinforcements sail battle changed strategic situation reinforcements conducted effective minor raiding operation cruising west_africa capturing number merchant ships slave ships eventually sailing france september second force planned expedition drawn frigates survived battle withdrew blockade november inadequate replacements provided february british plan lure french squadron port withdrawing available forces frigate hms brig storm blew position february escaped frigates brig gave chase abandoned slower brig avoid combat british frigate eventually escaping remaining ships expedition visited failing impact british merchant shipping despite orders commerce raid possible months decided return france reaching bay july squadrons warren british authorities deployed additional forces response french operations particular intention capturing return journey france end rear admiral louis given squadron patrol english channel admiral william maintained powerful force brest successful cutting ship line enter leave port squadrons stationed remaining french ports including force ships line commodore richard ships hms mars captain robert oliver able intercept squadron return journey capture frigate july september replaced commodore sir samuel hood achieved significant success intercepted french squadron seven frigates commodore jean sailing french west_indies supplies reinforcements action september hood commanding ships line sighted force september hours leaving giving chase conditions suited hood larger ships recognised caught advancing british detached ships southwards north retaining delay approaching british squadron separated pursuit engaging lead ship hms monarch captain richard lee ordered frigates target rigging hope slowing monarch advance escaping monarch damaged battle remained contact french long hood flagship hms later hms mars come join engagement french frigates captured including vessel sent north caught mars british casualties killed wounded including hood lost arm force caught hurricane dispersed result ships scattered damaged august frigate joining remains squadron united_states france succeeded slipping british blockade independently including arrived brest october ship successful september frigate final french casualty campaign trapped bay louis squadron closed sides approach louis flagship convinced captain continued resistance impossible struck colours fight aftermath led minor expedition brest toulon brest fleet determined effort break atlantic early ended battle roads large scale naval campaigns fought atlantic_ocean napoleonic wars minor operations individual french ships small squadrons continued losses combined barring spanish ports dos uprising seizure french west_indies reduced need ability french operate large scale atlantic lord recognised commented hearing news victory san domingo puts fear predatory war west_indies britain campaign emphasised important lesson previously demonstrated campaign year immensely difficult atlantic_ocean detect intercept french squadrons sea confined waters caribbean vulnerable detection attack british squadrons inadequate size power convoy escorts expense resources employed chasing french squadrons sea meant british trade placed risk independent french squadrons maintenance tight blockade essential british grip french maritime travel constant source napoleon instigated massive program intention breaking blockade able muster ships line british blockade squadrons


battle san battle san engagement september italian campaign second world war german_army forces occupied neutral republic san attacked allied forces known battle san declared neutrality earlier war remained broadly unaffected events europe allied forces advanced sizable distance italian peninsula major german defensive position gothic line ran peninsula short distance south border late june country bombed royal_air_force killing people belief german_army taken positions territory operation olive launched late august strong allied force attacked eastern end line aiming pass east san break plains north city whilst san southwest plan bypassed entirely response allied movements germans sent small force san guard lines communication act artillery observers days main thrust offensive halted south strong resistance severe weather british indian flanking forces began push westwards taking san september 4th indian infantry division attacked forces division holding hills border heavy fighting gain control hills situation 19th allied forces began push city san city captured afternoon september 4th indian division left country 21st leaving control local defence forces background san northern italian peninsula fully surrounded italy played little role second world war fascist government closely aligned regime remained neutral reported declared war united_kingdom september government later transmitted message british government stating early government reiterated war united_states position confirmed state department british foreign office noted britain declared war formally recognised san neutrality felt military action territory justified axis forces country bombed allies june killing government declared day military installations equipment located territory forces allowed enter early july announced prominent signs border crossings german command german units enter territory reiterated complete neutrality prelude assault gothic line late summer german forces italy withdrawn gothic line chain defended positions stretching italian peninsula allies formulated plan break defences pushing north plains northern italy involve strong thrust eastern british eighth army operation olive divisions attack narrow gap stretch plain coast city moving northward gap force deploy outward plain westward american fifth army push north centre peninsula hopefully trapping large german force movement main allied assault began august reaching valley gothic line proper august quickly breached german command attempted assemble second defensive line ridge hilly spur north river major geographic obstacle south allied offensive reached river september ground halt mechanical difficulties tanks strengthening german resistance heavy rain allied forces halted brought reinforcements whilst waiting chance resume offensive coast left flank assault attack halted battle south river point forces allied left wing line running south ridge facing westward san miles distant 56th london infantry division opposite 46th infantry division opposite heavily defended position 4th indian infantry division south 46th forming left wing offensive assault resumed 12th led armoured divisions heavy artillery support forces pushed westwards goal pass town miles border main assault successfully pushed ridge 56th division advanced past digging evening 13th night 4th indian division gained south finally captured 46th 4th indian divisions morning 15th british forces prepared exploit german confusion battle entry san 46th division took 15th day 56th division entered town directly north equally close border fighting pressed westward 56th division northern flank 46th south held strong german resistance early september german_army sent strong force san defend allies control major roads area allow artillery observers occupy mountain peaks defending force drawn division whilst 4th indian division assigned attack 17th leading elements division 3rd 10th regiment crossed river eastern border night 17th 1st 9th rifles moving attack points near small hills river held battalions regiment point taken force occupying point fall running low ammunition posthumously awarded victoria_cross holding crest hill single handed hours allowing companies withdraw safety killed whilst trying rescue wounded point held 18th loss men evening force tanks managed come position aid artillery support 4th 11th regiment moved north covering northern flank san heights division 11th brigade passed help city evening 19th 2nd battalion queen cameron 11th indian infantry brigade began push outskirts city north early morning 20th held defensive positions north west city road upper city situated higher mountain began tanks moved suburbs whilst company moved summit heavy rain city secured early afternoon casualties attackers prisoners taken 21st local defence forces enlisted help german troops 4th indian division pressed onward heavy gale passed country aftermath allied forces remained occupation san short period following german surrender october end war government submitted claim million british government wartime compensation million given related costs fighting september million costs occupation british government rejected claim arguing germany breached neutrality allied troops entered country liable offer payment regard june bombing later increased battle honour san awarded british_army units royal lincolnshire regiment york lancaster regiment queen cameron indian army units 1st 9th rifles 4th 11th regiment fought 4th indian division main attack whilst battalions infantry brigade 46th division


operation operation major second world war deception operation practised allied forces egypt led bernard montgomery months leading second battle devised clarke timing location allied attack operation consisted physical camouflage designed british middle_east command camouflage led accompanied electromagnetic operation false radio traffic planned enemy believe attack place south far coast road railway days later real attack consisted creating appearance army units existed armour artillery dummy tanks guns mainly local materials including palm real tanks disguised trucks light field guns disguised trucks real wheels visible simple box shaped canopy shape truck petrol cans stacked sides existing trenches hidden shadows food stacked piles boxes camouflage nets resemble trucks achieve deception trucks parked openly tank assembly area weeks real tanks similarly parked openly far nights attack tanks replaced trucks covered dawn tanks replaced night original positions armour remained seemingly days journey line reinforce impression attack ready dummy water pipeline constructed apparent rate miles day days worth remained built time actual attack dummy tanks guns supplies constructed south battle captured german general von told montgomery believed allies armoured division attack south stand general thought attack begin weeks succeeded objectives announcing victory house_of_commons winston_churchill praised camouflage operation planning devised clarke timing location expected allied attack eighth army consisted physical camouflage real movements particular montgomery armour accompanied electromagnetic operation false radio traffic line relatively short stretched mediterranean_sea north near railway station effectively impassable depression south distance miles clear enemy attack come space road north surprise scale attack location thought unlikely planned enemy believe attack place south far coast road railway days later real attack soon arrival august new middle_east commander alexander visited camouflage unit assess ability implement looked interested shop september montgomery chief staff summoned tony eighth army headquarters near arab told secret alexander impressed visit wanted camouflage advice introduced charles richardson worked clarke secretive force implement deception montgomery needed richardson trained deception planning given accelerated training staff officers prepared deception plan determined succeed wrote failed far damage having plan outlined basic plan attack north line coast road miles south tanks days battle position forming positions engineering work way asking hide hundreds tanks field guns thousands tons decisive attack hoping opportunity offered chance camouflage largest desert battle attempted went beach dunes sit think recalled sacked stage briefly worked saying needed tricks agreed suggesting use tanks trucks vice versa end afternoon plan presented richardson proposed create dummy armoured brigades deploy south appearance ready making tanks moved forming areas melting pot dummy tanks replace mimic trucks arrived forward area richardson asked use like dummy worked answered intended build dummy water pipeline south obviously ready weeks plan accepted change requested montgomery dummy armour doubled represent armoured corps vehicles richardson integrated camouflage plan main plans words richardson great deal fit major considerations knew didn film director set work task providing props biggest film production expect engaged work began september giving weeks day attack execution operation aims creating appearance army units existed real armour artillery observed huge assembly armoured corps essentially piece military planning army headquarters camouflage carrying certain specific tasks impossible hide existence large number vehicles especially tanks area planned instead vehicles obvious trucks battle tanks openly displayed far battle enemy saw happening trucks replaced tanks trucks meant tanks seen replaced unprecedented formidable number required tanks guns nearly soft skinned vehicles different techniques tasks british_army intentionally recruited designers architects artists camouflage work tony painter son architect brian arrived informally joined army private noticed use skills artist teacher illustrator having promoted staff lieutenant senior staff officers supervised camouflage schemes operation companies pioneers assigned command carry physical work making thousands came respectively east africa mauritius company worked standard bed frame palm required shapes fixed tank bodies turrets dummy vehicle elements second company prepared covers vehicle elements company painted prepared required degree realism different pioneer companies like moved camps far apart possible help maintain security set exclusively camouflage workers help camp tanks real tanks disguised trucks light halves sides tank half lifted men fitted removed minutes different models existed fit types allied tank included grants mimicking different kinds truck total deployed according peter forbes successful practised desert idea came commander chief middle_east general tank mimicking truck note reads wild idea tank look like air light canvas screen sketch useful approach march etc considered note passed words long arrival middle_east idea matter design development arrangements manufacture heavy wooden prototype gave men needed lift trial run tank confidence ask lighter version mark canvas stretched light steel tube frame strong light cheap manufacture low feet raf pilots found mark convincingly resembled truck carefully pre positioned tank holding area near railway station numbered crew tank brought told number shown parked taught night field guns field guns disguised british trucks direction tony brian arranged long pole overlap trail gun dummy truck canopy real wheels gun added realism dummy truck remained visible canopy exactly truck wheels ought technique named gun eaten canopy extremely distinctive morris wheel drive known pulled pounder guns disguised presence directly advertised presence artillery simply trucks real wheels net poles tied sides vehicle guy ropes total deployed rear artillery concentration area forward artillery barrage area near station named respectively camouflage technique words great concentration pounders right instant disguise thrown gunners opened fire real dummy petrol cans stacked sides existing trenches near railway station found experiment hidden shadows way invisible air tons petrol stored way petrol stacked stone faced trenches food stacked piles boxes camouflage nets resemble trucks large box shaped pile truck body smaller piles truck cab engine meant attractive materials including sugar cigarettes dispersed desert instead readily guarded camps desirable items trucks middle areas hidden middle stack army command accepted risk theft real supplies north carefully hidden matching dummy supplies created south area named brian camouflage officer brian dummy representing food petrol ammunition supplies constructed static dummy tanks guns mainly local materials including palm dummy tanks mobile consisting light frames placed total dummy tanks dummy guns constructed night shortly battle powerful dust storm destroyed dummy vehicles worked night following day restore film set appearance reality axis command notice breakdown illusion royal_air_force established air superiority october completely excluded german reconnaissance aircraft area battle commenced double bluff edge depression double bluff october week attack camouflage constructed half dummy field regiments artillery carefully appear seriously day day maintained allow enemy decide facing dummy guns real battle begun replaced night real artillery kept utterly day axis tank attack shocked find fired dummy guns final stages achieve deception trucks parked openly tank assembly area weeks real tanks similarly parked openly far nights attack tanks replaced trucks covered dawn tanks replaced night original positions armour remained seemingly days journey line reinforce impression attack ready dummy water pipeline constructed operation diamond apparent rate miles day camouflage officers robinson supervised work days worth remained built time actual attack pipeline supported dummy pump houses overhead tanks filling stations complete straw men real traffic drive nearby create tracks results battle captured german general von told montgomery believed allies armoured division attack south stand general thought attack begin weeks german documents prisoners war confirmed german commanders believed existence unit anticipated true avenue attack succeeded objectives november winston_churchill announced victory house_of_commons london praised success operation system camouflage complete tactical surprise achieved desert corps seen air exercising miles rear moved away night leaving exact tanks proceeded points attack


battle netherlands battle netherlands dutch case yellow german fall german invasion low countries belgium netherlands france world war battle lasted main dutch forces surrendered 14th dutch troops province zealand continued resist germany completed occupation nation battle netherlands saw major uses occupy crucial targets prior ground troops reaching area german luftwaffe utilised capture major airfields netherlands key cities order quickly overrun nation dutch forces battle ended soon devastating bombing german luftwaffe subsequent threat germans bomb large dutch cities dutch forces refused surrender dutch general staff knew stop bombers surrendered order prevent cities suffering fate netherlands remained german occupation dutch territory liberated background britain france declared war germany following german invasion poland major land operations occurred western_europe period known war winter time british french built forces expectation long war germans completed conquest poland october adolf_hitler ordered plans invasion low countries use base great_britain pre similar attack allied forces threaten vital area dutch ill prepared resist invasion hitler came power dutch begun arm slowly france belgium defence budget start gradually increased successive dutch governments tended avoid openly identifying germany acute military threat partly caused wish vital trade partner point criticism nazi policies partly inevitable policy strict budgetary limits conservative dutch governments tried vain fight great depression hit dutch society particularly hard prime minister personally convinced germany violate dutch neutrality senior officers effort public opinion favour improving military defence international tensions grew late 1930s crises caused german occupation crisis german occupation italian invasion albania spring events forced dutch government exercise greater limited reaction important measure partial men april german invasion poland september ensuing outbreak second world war netherlands hoped remain neutral world war years earlier ensure neutrality dutch army august entrenched large sums million spent defence proved difficult obtain new wartime especially dutch ordered new equipment germany deliberately delayed deliveries considerable funds intended dutch_east_indies indonesia related plan build battlecruisers strategic position low countries located france germany uncovered flanks fortification lines area logical route offensive january radio speech winston_churchill tried convince wait inevitable german attack join anglo french dutch refused german attack plans fallen belgian hands german aircraft crash january known incident french supreme command considered violating neutrality low countries joined anglo french coalition planned large offensive summer french cabinet fearing negative public reaction vetoed idea kept consideration plan invade germany attacked netherlands necessitating advance belgium netherlands assisted enemy german advance belgium southern territory possibilities discussed dutch government officially formulated policy act case majority ministers preferred resist attack minority queen netherlands refused german ally circumstances dutch tried occasions act reach negotiated peace settlement germany german invasion norway denmark followed warning new japanese naval captain german attack netherlands certain clear dutch military staying conflict prove impossible started fully prepare war mentally physically dutch border troops greater alert reports presumed actions fifth column scandinavia caused widespread fears netherlands german agents assisted taken possible assault airfields ports april state emergency declared civilians illusion country spared attitude war described state denial dutch hoped restrained policy central powers world war repeated tried avoid attention great powers war feared loss human life comparable previous conflict april britain france repeated request dutch enter war refused dutch forces royal dutch army netherlands objective conditions present successful defence dense population wealthy young disciplined educated geography favouring defender strong technological industrial base including armaments industry exploited time shortcomings equipment training dutch army comparison like david compared myth general german equipment advantage opposing armies battle france fact reality case battle netherlands hand modern german_army tanks dive bombers hand dutch army armoured forces comprised armoured cars air_force large consisting dutch government attitude war reflected state country armed forces significantly expanded equipment world war armed standards 1920s economic recession lasting general international relations caused limitation defence budget decade million spent equipment commissions appointed failed concluded acceptable minimum reached advised spending increase needed february bill passed creating special million defence fund lack trained manpower base large professional organisation sufficient reserve swift expansion dutch forces artillery equip larger units infantry divisions combined army corps light division independent brigades brigade brigade strength half division battalions infantry combat unit troops raised light infantry battalions dispersed territory delay enemy movement use thousand number lines depth modern large fortresses like belgian stronghold modern fortification complex guarding total dutch forces regiments infantry infantry battalions strategic border defence comparison belgium despite smaller aged male population fielded divisions equivalent divisions smaller units included september desperate efforts improve situation little result germany obvious reasons delayed deliveries france hesitant equip army abundant source readily available weaponry soviet_union inaccessible dutch contrary nations recognise communist regime attempt soviet armour captured finland failed conspicuous dutch army lay shortage armour major participants considerable armoured force netherlands able obtain minimum modern tanks light medium considered necessary single tank driver trained sole task testing obstacles remained example kind longer service squadrons armoured cars dozen vehicles dozen cars process taken service having fitted main armament single platoon mark artillery completed list dutch armour dutch artillery available total field guns krupp field guns partly produced licence modern pieces obsolete krupp guns krupp vickers guns available effective weapons number planned strength field guns performed role covering forces modern pieces ordered germany delivered time invasion artillery horse drawn dutch infantry machine guns partly licence produced vickers machine guns fitted battalion heavy machine gun company dutch infantry squads equipped organic light machine gun lewis machine gun thousand available weapon prone suitable offensive operations dutch infantry equipped dutch rifle variant weapon service dutch military years obvious dutch military money replace mortars regiment lack firepower impaired fighting performance dutch infantry despite netherlands seat europe largest producers radio equipment dutch army telephone connections artillery equipped modest number radio sets dutch air forces dutch air_force independent arm dutch armed forces army operated fleet aircraft twin engine destroyers seven fighters twin engined light bombers douglas dive bombers fighters seventeen reconnaissance aircraft aircraft aircraft operational remainder air_force school single single seven training operational aircraft served marine air service equal number reserve training craft production potential dutch military aircraft industry consisting fully exploited budget limitations training readiness dutch army poorly equipped poorly trained especially little experience gained handling larger units battalion level dutch army hold summer field manoeuvres order conserve military funding individual soldier lacked necessary skills war minority young men eligible serve military actually enlisted served weeks receive basic infantry training year service time increased months low quality compensated large body professional military personnel professional officers present hoped war threatened deficiencies quickly following dutch forces august bringing army strength men readiness slowly improved available time spent constructing defences period shortages limited live fire training unit remained low standards dutch army unfit battle simply stage major offensive let execute manoeuvre warfare german generals hitler equally low opinion dutch military expected core region holland proper conquered days dutch defensive strategy structural elements 17th century dutch republic devised effective defensive system called holland water line protect major cities west flooding countryside early 19th century line shifted somewhat east later fortresses new position called new holland water line line reinforced new fortifications outdated line located extreme eastern edge area lying sea level allowed ground fortifications easily inundated feet water shallow boats deep turn soil impassable area west new holland water line called fortress holland dutch holland german holland eastern flank covered lake southern flank protected lower course broad parallel rivers rhine functioned national expected hold prolonged period time optimistic predictions months allied assistance size attacking german force strongly war intention fall position immediately concentration phase called case blue inspired hope germany travel southern provinces way belgium leave holland proper untouched understood attitude posed invitation invasion impossible negotiate common defence proposals german diplomats dutch government secretly advance country rejected september easterly main defence line constructed second main defensive position northern formed line located foothills ice age lake lower rhine dug commander field army lieutenant general jan joseph baron van line extended southern position located river belgian border marshes ordered dutch commander chief general south intention delay germans possible cover french advance fourth second army corps positioned line army corps stationed position light division cover southern flank brigade positioned lower rhine army corps strategic reserve fortress holland southern perimeter manned battalions eastern battalions lines reinforced positioning troops main defence line covering line rivers connected positions lightly occupied screen fourteen border battalions late general van reviving plans worked proposed use excellent defensive opportunities rivers offered proposed shift mobile strategy fighting delaying battle plausible crossing sites near force german divisions spend offensive power reached defeat deemed risky dutch government general wanted army offer heavy resistance line position fall fortress holland considered dangerous government especially light german air supremacy disadvantage having fully prepare lines denied military authority defence zones conflict strategy undermined political position february forced offer resignation disagreements superiors replaced general henry decided north line main defence line decisive battle waged partly easier break conditions favourable took comparable decision position war netherlands officially adhered policy strict neutrality secret dutch military command partly acting accord negotiated belgium france dutch military paris lieutenant colonel david van coordinate common defence german invasion failed differences opinion question strategy follow coordinating belgium given obvious strategic importance belgium principle neutral detailed arrangements coordination troops difficult dutch plans changed suit wishes dutch desired connect defences position refused abandon fight approve plan van occupy called orange position shorter line form continuous belgian lines near proposed belgian general van took command intensified negotiations proposing february belgium man connecting line position belgian refused dutch reinforced presence dutch forces available fulfill request repeated belgian requests reconsider orange position refused decided withdraw event invasion troops main defence line albert canal created dangerous gap kilometres wide french invited fill french commander chief general interested including dutch continuous like major general bernard montgomery years later hoped circle launched planned offensive dare stretch supply lines far dutch allied german attack nations refused clear occupy connecting position near dutch area secret decided march abandon position immediately onset german attack withdraw army corps cover southern flank line leaving covering force position reinforced budget structures increased million german attack denmark norway april germans large numbers airborne troops dutch command worried possibility victim strategic assault attack infantry battalions positioned main ports airfield airfield reinforced additional guns operational armoured cars specially directed measures accompanied general ones dutch posted hospital ships country trains help troop movements easier french strategy addition dutch army german 18th army force smaller operate dutch soil french 7th army objectives larger french strategy french planning long considered possibility operations dutch territory coastal regions zealand holland difficult negotiate waterways french germans saw possibility surprise flanking attack region germans advantage bypassing antwerp line zealand isles considered strategically critical opposite thames estuary capture pose special menace safety england rapid forces offensive defensive purpose needed deny vital locations enemy long germans french contemplated airborne troops achieve attacks early french commissioned design light airborne tanks plans abandoned possessed cargo planes large carry naval division infantry division depart zealand block western german crossing send forward forces estuary isles supplied overseas shipping french commander chief general feared dutch tempted quick capitulation acceptance german protection reassigned french strategic reserve 7th army operate antwerp cover river eastern approaches order maintain connection fortress holland north preserve allied left flank rhine force assigned task consisted 16th army corps comprising 9th infantry division possessing tracked armoured vehicles 4th infantry division 1st army corps consisting 25th infantry division 21st infantry division army later reinforced 1st light division armoured division french cavalry class powerful unit divisions zealand seven french divisions dedicated operation french troops higher proportion units german adversaries view respective distances covered hope reach assigned sector advancing battle deployment enemy prospect beating germans lay employing rail transport implied vulnerable concentration phase building forces near needed dutch troops position delay germans extra days allow french deployment french rapid forces provide security screen consisted reconnaissance units armoured divisions equipped relatively armed armoured car concentrated task forces named commander german strategy forces changes operational plans fall idea leaving fortress holland dutch hoped times considered version october suggested possibility occupation conditions favourable version october proposed limit line south holland holland directive november decided conquer entire south north advance line occupy isles insisted conquest needed dutch airfields britain afraid reinforce fortress holland partial defeat use airfields bomb german cities troops rationale complete conquest fall france hardly taken granted political reasons seen desirable obtain dutch capitulation defeat bring hostile governments power britain france swift defeat free troops sectors january decided conquer netherlands units available task main effort fall centre france attack central belgium attack fortress holland 6th 18th army deployed dutch border larger force south belgium leaving 18th army general von defeat dutch main force german armies operation far weakest contained regular infantry divisions infantry division assisted reserve divisions infantry division fighting divisions wave units raised august territorial units professional officers little fighting experience apart world war veterans like dutch army soldiers trained seventh division infantry division pure security unit combat training german divisions nominal strength men percent larger dutch counterparts possessed twice effective firepower necessary numerical superiority successful offensive simply lacking remedy odds ends reinforce 18th army german cavalry division named 1st mounted troops unit accompanied infantry occupy weakly defended provinces east river try cross enclosure simultaneous landing holland near attempted barges captured small port efforts unlikely succeed mass regular divisions reinforced including der adolf_hitler serve assault infantry breach dutch fortified positions added division equation ensure victory germans resorted unconventional means germans trained airborne assault divisions division consisted second 22nd airborne infantry initially plan main german assault place flanders expected troops crossing attempt river near operation cancelled decided use obtain easy victory netherlands airborne troops day attempt secure airfields dutch seat government capture government dutch high command queen german officers actually took lessons address royalty occasions plan fall developed hitler personally earlier idea let envoy offer armed protection dutch neutrality german event bring forth desired immediate collapse bridges simultaneously secured allow force relieve airborne troops south force german 9th division german armoured division having tank battalions single tank regiment total number tanks unit intention exploit breach dutch lines created infantry division join forming axis time offensive staged line east infantry division united form engage main bulk dutch field army expectation spite lack numerical superiority force dutch east fortress holland dutch day eighteenth army expected enter fortress holland day south ensure victory strict total destruction dutch forces peculiar aspect command structure airborne attack solely luftwaffe operation airborne forces initially operational command german_army attack ultimately army operation considered focal point campaign netherlands 18th army saw air landings primarily advance operations fall strongly embodied concept term understood strategic assault like fall involved high risk strategy affair german population troops generally disliked idea violating dutch neutrality german propaganda justified invasion reaction supposed attempt occupy low countries similar justification german empire invade belgium world war german officers nazi regime uneasy invasion colonel german military intelligence officer began march pass information friend dutch military berlin major information included attack date fall informed allies military dutch government nations series false date changed times attack postponed wait favourable weather conditions correct prediction date attack denmark norway went largely indicated german armoured division try attack fortress holland north plan capture queen dutch defensive strategy adapted understood elements larger scheme warned attack imminent time coincided warning pope evening friend saying tomorrow dawn dutch troops alert leading figure german resistance hanged july bomb plot assassinate hitler battle morning dutch sound aircraft engines sky germany commenced operation fall attacked netherlands belgium france case low countries declaration war given hostilities france war night luftwaffe violated dutch wing traversed disappeared west giving dutch illusion operation directed england north_sea turned east stage surprise attack dutch airfields wings led colonel martin hit naval airfield destroying aircraft trainers shot spent days dutch prisoner war hit amsterdam dutch lost medium bombers airfields destroyed half defending fighters assist attacks ports communications lost bombers total bombers shot dutch aircraft aerial combat loss fighters albert total claiming dutch left aircraft end day claimed german aircraft destroyed spread dutch territory continued engage luftwaffe possible claiming victories german fighter aircraft immediately local time landed near airfields dutch anti aircraft batteries shot numerous transport planes luftwaffe german losses entire battle amounted representing fleet strength attack ended operational failure unable capture main airfield time airborne infantry land safely armoured car damaged bomb assisted machine gun destroyed eighteen waves killing occupants blocked remaining waves aborted landing tried find alternatives putting teams meadows beach troops small auxiliary airfield lightly defended fell german attack airfield likewise quickly occupied morale defenders shaken bombardment landing strip construction ground water level lowered planes landing sank away soft soil airfields capable receiving substantial reinforcements end occupied failed advance route blocked hastily assembled dutch troops early afternoon dispersed fire dutch artillery batteries dutch batteries likewise drove away german occupants fields remnant airborne troops taking refuge nearby villages attack successful crowded troops landed heart city assault teams conquered bridge occupy time military airfield positioned south city island attacked airborne forces infantry battalion stationed close airfield landed near positions confused fight followed wave suffered losses transports continued land end dutch defenders overwhelmed german troops steadily growing numbers began east occupy eventually contact tasked occupying vital bridge royal netherlands navy intervened torpedo boats attacked later destroyer van sailed bombard airfield short range resulted van bombed plan commit van nassau abandoned island bridge captured city garrison held long bridges broad estuary connecting island north province captured fortified southern germans executing plan approved hitler contrived personally tried capture bridges intact commando teams began infiltrate dutch border ahead main advance troops arriving evening night approached bridges teams men dressed dutch military police pretending bring group german prisoners fool dutch teams military policemen real members dutch nazi party attempts failed bridges blown occasions main exception railway bridge immediately armoured train crossed followed troop train driving right position mill unloading infantry battalion defence line dutch released reports german soldiers disguise international news agencies caused fifth column scare especially belgium france unlike situation later countries netherlands mass exodus civilian refugees roads generally german soldiers behaved manner dutch population forming neat shops buy goods germany chocolate generally failed assaults bridges german divisions began crossing attempts rivers waves typically destroyed insufficient preparatory fire places secondary bombardment destroyed infantry divisions crossed river building bridges attempt aborted der led assault day advanced line followed armoured train arrived 3rd army corps planned withdrawn position taking artillery apart pieces regiments leave battalion serve covering force fourteen border battalions group called division withdrawal originally planned night invasion cover darkness rapid german advance immediate retreat ordered avoid 3rd army corps enemy troops corps joined brigade battalions occupying line brought strength fighting light division based manoeuvre force dutch army possessed planned withdrawal similarly executed day early regiments bridges turned left decided afternoon let counterattack german airborne landing reached river separating evening discovered sector near bridge built strongly occupied airborne troops germans simply known existence outdated maps decided postpone crossing day gather sufficient forces attempt establish evening 10th french reconnaissance elements armoured cars started arrive dutch border forming vanguard french 1st light division division operated dim left northern flank french 7th army mission ensure contact holland antwerp attempts coordinate french advance colonel military commander dutch troops largely unsuccessful apart fact reached day dutch defences collapsing mill exploit opportunity offered having battalion defenders failed locate attack forward elements repulsed assault main defense line initially postponed day artillery passed single bridge caused traffic jam having damaged incident early evening sudden change plans decided attack artillery support absent apart battery attack happened hit mill sector prior advance routed dutch defenders creating weak section line dutch troops germans slow exploit breakthrough colonel ordered position abandoned troops fall west new line canal north end day reached line delayed logistical problems dutch demolition teams blowing bridges dutch troop strength area weak extreme south border battalions province slightly delayed advance german sixth army noon area overrun strategic city surrendered opening way german offensive central belgium germans failed capture main bridge intact forcing delay crossing 4th division day dutch commander general faced priorities wanted eliminate german airborne troops strategic assault failed feared enemy build saw german possession bridges movement allied reinforcements fortress holland second priority closely related enabling french army build strong defensive line north connect fortress holland allied main force belgium withdrawn troops area limited means available influence process largely leaving task local commanders respects little achieved day planned counterattack light division airborne troops failed nick time bridge river prepared defence german proved impossible force attempts cross river boats managed establish isolated light division given permission break crossing point ordered shift axis attack reinforcing dutch troops island arrived night having cleared island enemy troops division advance bridge order reach earlier day attempts dutch battalions carry attack western flank german perimeter battalion withdrawn belgian border partly crossed points tried storm bridge second battalion taken fortress holland forces positioned crossed island previous day ferry tried expand crossings successful advance battalion executed troops surprised german dispersed second battalion likewise surprised men taken prisoner afternoon french reconnaissance unit reconnaissance division assistance dutch border battalion attempted attack southern armoured cars reinforced heavily bombed german retreat reinforced infantry regiment dutch failed completely german airborne troops northern bank despite permission general kurt student german commander refused evacuate german defenders held fast single office building protected canal covered fire south bank remaining dutch bombers failed destroy german forces involved attack previous day held attempts eliminate isolated groups total forces met success north situation swiftly deteriorated french commanders 7th army expected dutch resistance position force divisions strong gained days build defensive line near surprised learn best divisions moved north remaining forces retreat withdrawal division position canal kilometres west meant leaving entrenched positions little artillery available exchange totally unprepared line eastern bank canal higher western bank providing excellent cover attackers finally order withdraw reached troops mill caused sector canal near left sector contained bridge demolished germans able cross canal second crossing opposition led general collapse line end 11th germans crossed places division largely plans colonel concentrate forces line came french refused advance northeast apart armoured cars went far created dangerous gap sensitive general dutch weakness region requested british government send army corps reinforce allied positions area bomb airfield efforts south assumption line able beat attacks reserves partly shifted counterattack airborne forces indications problem developing sector elements der preceding reached southernmost line evening 10th main defense line sector chosen main attack axis division protected line outposts manned companies infantry half past morning 11th german artillery started outposts followed dawn attack battalions der german cut telephone lines artillery support requested dutch defenders defence hampered fact terrain cleared vegetation offered good cover attackers noon breakthrough accomplished extreme north outpost line dutch positions slowly rolled outnumbered armed companies resisted evening outposts german hands commander 2nd army corps major general jacob failed react adequately realise troops involved attack thought outposts surrendered small german force defenders ordered night counterattack single reserve battalion 4th division attack abandoned approach battalion fired dutch troops manning main line notified approach leading confusion engineer bridge necessary cross failed brought forward time heavy preparatory dutch artillery fire effect causing germans abandon plans night attack north advanced province final dutch fall line reaching evening dutch troops evacuated north enclosure morning general remained moderately optimistic assumed firm defence line eventually established north help french expected good progress eliminating airborne forces aware special danger line day hopes previous days seen little action crossed early morning day unable advance quickly roads supply trains infantry divisions armoured division orders link airborne troops soon position breached infantry forces entire dutch dissolved conditions favourable attempt hindered french forces german 6th army threatening right flank time prepare defence line ordered 7th army withdraw left flank brigade division arrived retreated south division progressed north river mark initial order occupy sector followed route bridges blocked german armoured division engaged stronger french counterpart reconnaissance elements 9th division effectively exploited opportunity dawn surprised north near colonel took prisoner dutch troops province lost unified command shortly noon german armoured cars penetrated thirty kilometres west contact southern cutting fortress holland allied main force reached bridges northern force long remain region ordered complete withdrawal antwerp french troops north limit rear guard actions light division tried systematically island advancing broad battalions little artillery support left flank enemy presence advance went according plan battalion right flank ran attacking german force battalion strength ordered general student circle outskirts city relieve pressure placed troops holding bridges confused street fighting german troops successful blocking battalion dutch units halted advance noon higher command soon ordered better concentration forces instead action lack clear lines command subsequent attack day little dutch commanders afraid presumed fifth column limited security measures ordered stage attacks company level situation south critical east germans successful effort dutch defenders preparatory artillery bombardment morning noon battalion der attacked metres wide sector main line occupied dutch company exploiting dead angles dutch field fire soon breached dutch positions little depth second german battalion expanded breach north dutch artillery equal strength german failed bring sufficient fire enemy concentration infantry largely limiting metres west stop line continuous trench system defenders supposed wage active defence staging local lack numbers training heavy weapons attacks failed trained troops evening germans brought heavily forested area lines control spotting weak point battalion commanders suddenly attacked hastily assembled force company strength battle rare instance tactics broke stop line quickly advancing west halted fall line railroad breakthrough caused panic defenders largely abandoned stop line point time coordinate action units exploited order restored stop line company isolated surrounded earlier general german advance later caused main line abandoned north troops feared attack understood dutch forces occupying line sufficiently strong repel attacks intended delay offensive long reserves reinforce failure previous day understand german main assault imminent reserves arrive time intervene fight defence zone trench systems stop line depth lacked large shelters accommodate troops stage strong frontal counterattack late evening decided execute flank attack north day north position formed eastern end enclosure long perimeter kilometres land receive large number retreating troops making vulnerable air attack units combined strength battalions present line weakly held exploited german unit arrive single bicycle battalion noon quickly penetrated line concentrated attack forcing defenders withdraw enclosure german advance cut escape route land sailed away small port taking remaining vessels eastern lake denied germans craft crossing attempt plan abandoned afternoon general received information armoured forces advancing region road bridges fostered hopes forces french announcement radio bremen german tanks linked ended hopes began understand essence german strategy ordered artillery batteries try destroy bridges sent special engineering team blow general situation point ordered vast strategic oil reserves royal dutch shell set fire having informed concerns earlier afternoon dutch government asked winston_churchill british divisions turn tide new prime minister answered simply reserves british torpedo boats sent lake 2nd welsh guard battalion prepared sent hook holland arrive time contrary german command satisfied day events feared day operation crisis day having overcome near resistance french divisions germans concerned face belgian british divisions von invasion requested reinforced effort army corps denied chief staff arranged formation extra army corps headquarters direct complex strategic situation simultaneously fighting allies advancing fortress holland bridges actual crisis french retreating belgian british forces completely absent von decided responsible pursuing french south antwerp forces directed new headquarters command advance north adolf_hitler early morning general advised dutch government considered general situation critical land dutch cut allied clear major allied landings expected reinforce fortress holland sea support prospect prolonged successful resistance german tanks quickly pass ordered available guns placed perimeter protect seat government immediate collapse dutch defences prevented planned seal southern near restore eastern line cabinet decided continue fight time giving general mandate surrender army saw fit instruction avoid unnecessary sacrifices deemed essential queen brought safety departed noon van holland british irish guards battalion present hms british destroyer sea mines dangerous try reach zealand went england previous evening queen child heir princess husband prince children departed hms arrangements departure invasion queen government departure confronted cabinet choice follow remain heated discussions decided leave ministers sailed van holland hms windsor form government exile london having conferred governmental authority homeland dutch merchant ships escorted british warships transferred government diamond stocks united_kingdom tank companies remained pursue withdrawing french began cross traffic bridge staff companies tanks went northern dutch attempts indirectly block advance german armour operational medium bomber dropped bombs bridge hit bridge pillar failed explode bomber shot dutch batteries despite dive bomber attacks tried destroy bridge artillery fire massive structure slightly damaged attempts island failed inlet opened small light division tried cut german corridor advancing west linking small ferry battalions available deployed failed effort recapture suburbs battalions approached main road met head dozen german tanks vanguard dutch troops having informed presence red air recognition german armour orange flags french vehicles use indicate friendly intentions orange seen dutch national colour ran vehicles welcome understanding error battalions subsequently hit bombardment fled east prevented batteries halting direct fire assault german tanks left wing light division despite heavy losses completed ordered withdrawal early afternoon tanks reduced ferry tank company tried capture old inner city infantry support ordered retreat heavy street fighting destroyed tanks heavily damaged dutch troops withdrawn island night german armoured forces advanced north bridge island tanks iii staff platoon 1st tank battalion stormed bridge lost single gun germans follow attack area abandoned dutch troops attempt blow commander 2nd battalion irish guards van holland west refused participate attempt outside scope orders dutch companies mainly composed dutch marines stormed bridge reached remaining german defenders building point surrender hours fighting attack abandoned heavy flanking fire river north commander major general kurt faced task having advance enclosure lack ships dam blocked position protected major complex regulating water level lake sufficiently high allow fortress holland maintained main fortifications contained guns long channel piers projected right left built place heavy fire dam provide cover attacker position reinforced anti aircraft battery intention destroy position battery siege mortars train transporting blocked blown railway bridge air attacks little effect late afternoon bicycle sections tried approach main bunker complex cover artillery bombardment soon fled fired pinned retreat cover darkness leaving dead east germans tried overcome resistance line deploying division break second attack axis near dry approach route discovered line area defended dutch 2nd infantry division german regiments attack simultaneously adjacent sectors regiment right reached start position attack regiment left delayed flanking fire dutch outposts position correctly determined allowed involved fragmented eventually reserve regiment brought forward little progress outpost line waiting concentrated dutch artillery fire withdraw resulting complete failure attack extreme south line germans deploying battalions including support troops fresh infantry battalions laid immediate reserve evening night dutch assembled sector dozen battalions forces consisted reserve battalions army corps divisions brigades independent brigade freed main defence line land van abandoned withdrawal iii army corps north units concentrated single effort counterattack retake main line battalions fed immediately battle stop line kept reserve mainly fall line near railroad furthermore battalions quarter strength command brigade flanking attack north attack delayed hours finally started late morning ran right comparable advance battalions der brigade unaware dutch intentions shifted attack axis north roll line confused encounter fight followed vanguard dutch troops poorly supported artillery began way troops soon resulted general withdrawal brigade turned rout area bombed time committed battle battalions attacked stop line wave german attackers largely beaten losses second wave managed fragment trench line taken heavy fighting regiment subsequently proceeded area west delayed resistance dutch command posts withdrew late afternoon battalions north avoid preparatory artillery bombardment shifted western position germans intended renew attack order fall line village preparations prove dutch disappeared bombardment brigade rout broke morale reserves morning troops shown severe discipline problems units leaving battlefield german fire late afternoon 4th infantry division fleeing westwards germans expected dutch attempt plug gaps line planned shift north regiments dutch 3rd army corps purpose dutch command suffered loss control thoughts establish continuous abandoned wide gap appeared defences fearing encircled van ordered army corps immediately abandon line position retreat night east fortress holland new holland water line germans exploit success apparent gap existed renewed advance met enemy resistance despite expressed dutch government mandate given surrender army general awaited outcome events avoiding actually absolutely necessary motivated desire engage opposing german troops long possible assist allied war effort early morning situation remained critical certain calm evident dutch headquarters north german artillery bombardment position began german batteries forced away surprised aft cannon van nassau sailed sea decided land coast north holland barges found capitulation crossing actually executed operation barge remainder lost way fears landing caused order occupation improvised amsterdam position north_sea canal weak forces available east cover ground fog field army successfully withdrew line east bombed feared gradually pursuing enemy troops new position severe ready earthworks needed trenches flooded soil constructed defences improvised accommodate larger number troops german forces prepared cross defended dutch battalions crossings attempted sectors main attack place centre city german 9th division advancing adolf_hitler cross operate immediate left east battalion 16th infantry regiment cross boats auxiliary attacks prevent concentration dutch forces blocking 9th division advance densely built urban area canals view conditions limited means available major emphasis air support von fearing british reinforce fortress holland instructed resistance broken means necessary threaten carry city supported highest command level hitler state directive northern wing power army holland resist proven stronger assumed political military grounds demand quickly break resistance furthermore conquest fortress holland facilitated deliberate weakening air power operated sixth army bombers shifted sixth eighteenth army generals kurt student desired limited air attack temporarily defences allowing tanks break severe urban destruction avoided advance luftwaffe commander worried fate surrounded airborne troops hoped force immediate dutch national capitulation extensive bombardment head operations general von described option radical solution despite albert scope necessity ninety took carpet bombing inner city german messenger crossed bring ultimatum colonel dutch commander demanding capitulation city positive answer received hours means employed receive message feeling inclined surrender regardless asked orders hearing document signed contained instructed send dutch envoy clarify matters gain time dutch captain handed request von return german envoy sent radio message bombardment postponed negotiations started dutch envoy received second ultimatum signed new time formations arrived having received recall orders later explained germans result having pulled tow ordered red fired signal bombardment broken squadron making bomb run southwest abandoned attack planes dropped bombs having approached east continued drop share grand total bombs destroying inner city killing civilians ensuing fires destroyed houses making inhabitants homeless person ordered second bombardment city group left carried message received occupied heard order hastily sent message claiming city taken place bombers recalled time surrender dutch army intended continue fight german forces advance heart fortress holland possibility terror bombings considered invasion seen grounds immediate capitulation provisions continuation effective government widespread urban destruction perimeter ward armoured attack new holland water line defensive capability attacked germans time deploy forces difficult landscape soon received message colonel baron van commander city germans demanded surrender dropped propaganda planes announcing surrender spare fate warsaw concluded apparently german policy city offering resistance view mandate avoid unnecessary suffering dutch military position decided surrender higher level army units informed decision ordered destroy weapons offer surrender nearest german units german envoy informed gave radio speech informing dutch people german command aware dutch surrendered dutch troops generally enemy contact dutch surrender implied principle cease fire observed parties acted capacity commander dutch army highest executive power homeland created somewhat ambiguous situation morning commander royal dutch navy vice admiral left country continue fight dutch naval vessels generally included surrender ships unfinished departed smaller vessels sunk sailed england evening van nassau sunk german bombers crossing commander main dutch naval port den rear admiral concluded base naval garrison air service extensive land defences continue resist difficulty convince obey surrender order large parts dutch army reluctant believe accept surrender especially units hardly seen fighting 3rd 4th army corps brigade german messenger reached inviting meeting von negotiate articles written capitulation document quickly agreed conditions declaring surrendered army naval air forces von demanded pilots fighting allies treated seen germans fighters outside laws war refusal clear germans armed forces homeland exception zealand country points swift agreement reached document signed fighting zealand province zealand exempt surrender fighting continued common allied effort french troops dutch forces province comprised battalions army naval troops commanded rear admiral jan van der naval officer directly area naval command naval port island controlled access antwerp western northern islands province apart defence dutch flanders largely left allies main dutch army forces concentrated peninsula east deny enemy approach route connected coast north eastern narrow end bath position prepared occupied infantry battalion mainly intended collecting line possible dutch troops retreating east western end longer position occupied battalions french arrived units subsequently depart north area reinforced french infantry divisions division class division newly formed naval division equipment brought ship harbour troops divisions remain south western dutch battalions present border companies french regiments sent northern bank dutch troops placed french operational command division transferred 7th army cooperation allies left desired plagued poor communications differences strategy dutch considered bath positions open landscape extensive french commander general convinced value positioned troops conspicuous obstacles evening regiment division occupied canal division took position separating island sufficient time adequate prevented effective concentration allied forces allowing germans despite numerical defeat germans occupied north quickly advancing western reached bath position cut retreat reconnaissance division subsequently destroyed defending bergen morale defenders bath position shaken stories dutch troops fleeing west severely undermined news surrendered concluded useless zealand kept resisting remaining province preparatory artillery bombardment position evening caused commanding officers desert troops fled morning approached position attack outposts northern sector easily repulsed germans advance narrow despite supporting air strikes dive bombers bombardment caused battalions main positions flee entire line abandoned despite southern supported french torpedo boat kilometres west position approached canal french present partly dug reinforced retreated dutch battalions aerial bombardment morning routed defenders ground attack started german crossings led complete collapse attempt evening day force metres long french troops fled ended failure island taken light opposition fell commanders remaining dutch troops south refused direct commands superior threaten german flank night attack failed germans demanded capitulation island refused bombed province capital city heavily shelled artillery inner city partially burning heavy bombardment largely french defenders germans managed establish noon dutch troops present companies ceased resistance evening germans threatened overrun french forces fled delaying action led brigade general person killed allowed troops evacuated western north surrendered remaining dutch homeland territory orders french dutch troops withdrawn belgium presence confusing forces occupied aftermath following dutch defeat queen established government exile england german occupation officially began years entire country liberated time victims war jews minorities fell victim genocide died indirect consequences poor nutrition limited medical services


action november action november minor naval engagement napoleonic wars british frigate defeated captured french frigate bay action formed blockade french ports war british_royal_navy strategy designed prevent ships entering leaving french eliminating foreign trade france damaging french economy cutting france overseas colonies french ship action destined french held west indian island martinique cargo flour military supplies including soldiers reinforce island garrison cleared french coast discovered patrolling british frigate squadron unit tasked watching entrance french ports principally brest ships seeking enter leave frigate hms chased brought battle closing french ship preventing soldiers aboard boarding british ship superior numbers heavy accurate gunfire battle lasted hours french suffered men killed including captain soldiers aboard crew able storm capture minutes additional british vessels arrived attracted sound gunfire helped secure badly damaged journey britain battle blow french defenders martinique isolated france suffering shortages military food supplies supply frigate broke blockade arrived december island surrounded british bases invaded captured january french colonies seized years blockade cut french communications overseas territories captain michael active campaign capturing second french frigate action april background november napoleonic wars lasted years french conquered large mainland europe unable exert significant influence sea british_royal_navy dominant battle october vital royal_navy strategy implementation close blockade major french squadrons frigates ships line intended intercept capture ships attempting enter leave french greatest french atlantic consequently important target royal_navy brest situated northern coast watching brest large number warships divided squadron designed watch coast directly formed principally frigates small fast vessels offshore squadron formed heavy ships line tasked french fleets battle squadrons spotted squadron efficiency british blockade communication reinforcement france colonies dangerous ships involved severely limited led shortages french colonists especially caribbean surrounded hostile british constantly raided blockaded british ships island martinique important french islands west_indies late island economy crippled british blockade food stocks military supplies morale running low summer french dispatch vessel intercepted british warships warning desperate state island defences similar messages reach france safely prompted urgent response french_navy frigate stationed south brest selected carry supplies martinique given complement men cannon new captain supplies loaded including barrels flour soldiers reinforce garrison martinique secrecy tight prevent british discovering mission local shore defences informed frigate departure early november french efforts hide frigate mission departure initially successful british ships area unaware intentions sailed prepared french movement launching regular patrols particular ships command captains michael frederick lewis hms hms respectively captains experienced veteran officers lost arm glorious june years earlier agreed hunt communicating regularly understanding prize money won shared equally crews weeks sailing tandem frigates separated early november battle november garrison french defensive gun battery island saw frigate moving rapidly westwards informed french movements time battery fired warning shots ship establish identity frigate replied recognition signal firing stopped sound attracted attention hms approaching west minutes spotted french frigate immediately gave chase followed orders avoid combat sail south west intending escape atlantic close fire bow small guns positioned ship french frigate attacked turn french stern certain quarry enemy launched signal rockets hope attracting attention ships squadron intercept french ship received answering flashes north east captain sir thomas hardy joined chase hms triumph realised heavily laden ship reduced speed turning sharply british ship attempt prepared manoeuvre countered turning sharply away french broadside fell sea frigates performed complete circle returning previous course swung french ship bringing alongside pouring heavy fire replied kind minutes frigates continued firing close range sailed westwards attempted trying cross british ship stern pulled ahead countered slowing ship french rigging british firing continuing crews worked free ships separating minutes later frigates continued close range duel pulled ahead successfully crossing bow french ship port swinging starboard resume close range exchange french fire taking toll british ship shot collapsed quarterdeck smashing wheel command ship began pull ahead attempted state turning sharply starboard coming sudden halt collapsed ability manoeuvre severely hindered gradually closed ordering soldiers frigate board british vessel capture prepared loading cannon double loads suddenly swung frigate bows french stern swinging british signal soldiers sailors crowded deck ready leap british ship engage crew hand hand combat seconds remaining ordered gunners fire double broadside fired point blank range killed wounded men including officers guns set places proximity british muzzle flashes aftermath continued firing minutes reply british able board seize unopposed frigates rigging immediate problem secure prize prisoners transferred guard frigates cut apart rigging minutes later gun hms triumph appeared darkness second frigate hms shannon captain philip broke arrived drawn gunfire british ships removed prisoners affected improvised repairs lost remaining masts shortly boarded immediate danger collapse british casualties engagement severe killed wounded french losses times larger dead including wounded britain victory rewarded presented commemorative medal share wounded freedoms suggestions receive addition lieutenant promoted commander junior officers advanced purchased royal_navy hms crews prize money decades later battle actions recognised attached naval general service medal awarded application british participants living severely damaged engagement repairs took days complete plymouth months later specially selected hunt route france bay absent frigate brought action able capture opponent fierce encounter action april praised bravery surviving french officer lieutenant joseph later swore court surrendered triumph shannon arrived statement british testimony insistence night battle seen ships action historian william james suggests deliberate attempt appeal french naval authorities avoid responsibility defeat failure supplies reinforcements carried reach caribbean effect outcome subsequent invasion martinique january reinforcement frigate subsequent french efforts transport supplies soldiers martinique successful large british expeditionary force able island poorly supplied defenders brief campaign blockade affected french colonies preventing food military supplies contributing captures france guadeloupe