FLOODS EVADED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 138, 11 May 1940, Page 7

FLOODS EVADED.

INVASION OF HOLLAND.

• LONDON, May 10. Amsterdam reports that six German ’planes bombed ' Welschap airfield (south-east of Tilburg). Three German ’planes attempting to land at Souberg in Zeeland (south-western Holland) were fired on. Parachutists landed near Delft, 13 miles from The Hague, and a further 100 landed near Dortrecht. Schipol aerodrome (Amsterdam) was heavily bombed at 4.20 a.m.; three columns of smoke are visible, and it is believed the damage is very heavy. Parachutists also landed at Rotterdam’s airport, Waalhaven, and also at Rozenburg and Hoogezwaluwe (nearby islands). Fifty Heinkels were sighted over Sliedrecht (on the Rhine south-east of Rotterdam), flying at 1000 feet. QUEEN’S APPEAL. A message from The Hague states that Queen Wilhelmina has issued the following proclamation to her people:—“l herewith launch a flaming protest against this unprecedented violation of all that is decent among cultured States. I and my Government will do our duty. Now do your duty everywhere. Everyone to the post to which he is appointed.” Queen AVillielniina in her proclamation added: “Holland has scrupulously observed strict neutrality and had no other plan:than to maintain this attitude. Germany’s sudden attack against our territory was without warning and was carried out notwithstanding her solemn promise that our neutrality would be respected.” Numerous ’planes were sighted over Slamen,. flying westward. A number of parachutists descended at Maarden, Sliedrecht, and other points. Fifty Grermah ’planes were sighted over Nijdmegan, and others over the Denhelder naval base. An early unconfirmed report said that the Germans had crossed the frontier at Roermond (west of Gladbach). The Dutch are fighting parachute troops at various points. The Dutch radio warned the people that some parachute troops are wearing Dutch uniforms. . An air battle is in progress over Amsterdam, with fighting ’planes diving oil German bombers. The Schipol aerodrome has been heavily damaged bv the bombing raids, in which more tli°u 50 Heinkels took part. Parachute troops dressed in Dutch uniforms have been captured on the outskirts of The Hague, The Amsterdam radio states that new large forriiatidns of ’planes are’ conktantly arriving from Germanv. . RUBBER BOATS USED. Thirty heavy explosions were heard in quick succession at Schipol. and most of the aerodrome appeared to be on fire at one time. Dutch armoured cars came racing up from the nearby barracks. The Dutch flooded la’ - ge regions along the frontier, -but the Germans hurdled this barrier,' which was believed impregnable,...with hundreds of parachute troops, some of which were reported to be wearing Allied uniforms. Some of He German warnlanes mixed leaflets with their bombs declaring that Germany was attacking Britain. Parachute droops are reported at widely separated posts, including Boxte] on the Riv">- Maas, in addition to the .others. Those landing near the River Maas used rubber boats.