INVASION BY AIR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 209, 6 September 1940, Page 3

INVASION BY AIR

i GAINING POWER OVER THES NETHERLANDS [ — HITLER'S TWO DEVICES Hitler used two devices to get the Netherlands within his power, writes M. van Blankenstein when discussing in the 'Spectator the prosjjects of a German invasiion of Britain by air. Hitler reckoned on quick success if his armies invaded the country by parachute and transport planes. With the assistance of the "fifth column," the invaders should have captured the Royal Family and the Government within twelve hours. This was the plan found on the body of General von Sponeck and reported to the Netherlands General Staff. But the plan failed completely. When Holland collapsed because the German army in the south had crossed' the Moerdijk bridge, the Dutch had just succeeded in lriastering the air invad- J ers. They had first been fought by untrained troops from recruiting depots, These were supported! by the army corps guarding the After that the efforts to capture Holland from within were brought to a stop. Holland succumbed under the pressure of superior might.. It must be said,, however, that the reason this pressure could prove immediately fatal was that air invadfifth columnists and troops hidden in ships had succeeded in capturing the Moerdijk bridge on the first day of the invasion. 000000000000000000000000000000000000000