The Battle of Rotterdam (1940) - A Key Battle During the German Invasion of the Netherlands

The Battle of Rotterdam (Strijd om de Maasbruggen) happened during the German invasion of the Netherlands (Battle of the Netherlands) and initiated WW2 in the Netherlands. German paratroopers landed at airport Waalhaven and inside the city of Rotterdam to capture the New Meuse bridges. Dutch soldiers - among which soldiers of the Netherlands Marine Corps (Korps Mariniers) - rushed into action. A vicious battle took place that ended with the German bombing of Rotterdam and was the start of World War 2 in the Netherlands. It can be seen as a forgotten WW2 battle during the Second World War in Holland.
History Hustle presents a forgotten WW2 battle: The Battle of Rotterdam (1940) - A Key Battle During the German Invasion of the Netherlands.
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SOURCES
- Mei 1940. De strijd op Nederlands grondgebied (Herman Amersfoort & Piet Kamphuis).
- www.zuidfront-holland1940.nl/i... (other source).
IMAGES
Images from commons.wikimedia.org.
VIDEO
Video material from:
De grenadiers en jagers keren uit de Harskamp terug
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WWII--The Invasion of Holland
• WWII--The Invasion of ...
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MUSIC
"Crossing the Chasm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Failing Defence" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Evil March" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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[@HistoryHustle]

GERMAN INVASION OF THE NETHERLANDS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXqspIxsa5mne5Y GERMAN EFFECTIVENESS IN MAY 1940: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV7Hc557psmkY9E DUTCH EFFECTIVENESS IN MAY 1940: kzbin.info/www/bejne/onivnquEbc2rbdE

[@HistoryHustle]

About what was the plan?

[@HistoryHustle]

@Thanos 6.0 Aha! I hope to cover the German invasion of Belgium (1940) soon! :)

[@nikkibaugher2427]

Wow...it makes you think "what would I have done". Professor, interesting...very interesting. Thank you for the lecture.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply again, Nikki!

[@nikkibaugher2427]

@@HistoryHustle looking forward to the next lecturer, Professor!

[@lwmotorsport7647]

Many people from the outside make fun of us sometimes that we surrendered so fast in WWII, while the real reason for that is just because of the bombings, in terms of ground fighting they could not really get passed the south of the Netherlands

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for replying.

[@KeyWestChrisRehm]

Well done! One can feel your passion for your fellow Dutchmen's pride in defending Rotterdam. Rotterdam's bombing was held in Dutch hearts for decades.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@aldosigmann419]

Real drama - loved the glimpses of the old architecture too.

[@HistoryHustle]

Sharp eye for detail :)

[@markobavdek9450]

Some units fought exceptionally bravely, but they had to surrender because they were without support....this was the pattern that sealed the fate of many allied armies...

[@HistoryHustle]

That's where it came down to yes.

[@RickJZ1973]

Excellent video! I really enjoyed your presentation! Your enthusiasm for history really shines! You definitely had beautiful weather to lecture outdoors.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks, Rick!

[@t.jjohnson6317]

Good vid.. lots of information , My grandfather was in Holland Liberation.. Thank-you

[@HistoryHustle]

Respect, thanks for your reply!

[@ChickenMan-nk8wx]

Thank you for making a video about this!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your message!

[@andrewsteele7663]

Brilliant delivery, and really interesting, thanks

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

Love your videos History Hustle!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@basfinnis]

Really interesting stuff. Always informative and well made videos. Thanks.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks 👍🏻

[@thomaslang9188]

WW2, a war of bridges: "A Bridge Too Far" (in German: " Die Brücke von Arnheim") is my favourite WW2 movie of all times. Like in Rotterdam, many other beautiful bridges were destroyed all over Europe. Either they tried to rescue the bridges (in order to advance) or they tried to blow them up (in order to retreat or defence).

[@HistoryHustle]

Actually the Rotterdam bridges did survive the war! The old Willembrug was replaced in the early 80s and the railway bridge in the early 90s!

[@thomaslang9188]

@@HistoryHustle Oh, thanks for your answer. I didn't know that. In Germany, for example, the old bridge of Remagen was never build up again after WW2.

[@eddys.3524]

@@HistoryHustle I had to drive over that bridge during my first driving lesson..... narrow and a lot of traffic, brrr....

[@zacharyellison4189]

Keep it up brother outstanding work👍

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!👍

[@helmhamerhand733]

My grandmother lived on het Noordereiland may 1940. She apparently saw the german paratroopers land and a german handgrenade was thrown in their neighbor’s house. Later they saw the city burn after the bombardment. Quite a sight from the Noordereiland i reckon...

[@HistoryHustle]

I can imagine, thanks for sharing this.

[@davidraper5798]

Interesting and well presented as ever.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@nikkibaugher2427]

Professor, looking forward to next lecture!!!

[@HistoryHustle]

Great!

[@thegametwins7553]

Hey, maybe u can make a playlist from each german invasion 1. Poland 2. Denmark 3. Norway 4. Luxenbourg 5. Netherlands 6. Belgium 7. France 8. Yugoslavia 9. Greece 10. Russia 11. A video about hungary, romania and bulgaria changing sides For the rest, its a rlly good video, keep going!!

[@HistoryHustle]

You're asking a lot my friend, since most of it I still have to cover you know. And I do these invasion vids on location. I will cover the invasion of France soon (from home, the German perspective) and hopefully the invasion of Belgium on location (Eben Emael) soon...

[@thegametwins7553]

You are one of the only history yt channel who makes his video's on the place where it happend. HoW aBoUt ThE kOrEaN wAr (nOrTh PeRsPeCtIvE)

[@HistoryHustle]

@@thegametwins7553 perhaps in the future.

[@petemoss8625]

great vid as always, I learn a bit more on ww2 with every vid.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@connordevereaux759]

Good video historyhustle I like history it's why I subscribed to your channel. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@HistoryHustle]

Great! 👍

[@8000296]

Top! Great video

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@robertdoorenbosch6655]

Interessante video weer Stefan!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@lopezmario4633]

I love your enthusiasm!! Bravo! Cheers from Chile!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@graagr4269]

The Dutch soldiers were very brave. I can only admire their courage.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@oldman1734]

@@HistoryHustle. Didn’t the Netherlands surrender in four days?

[@gamborler9184]

@@oldman1734 They did but that's because Germany threatened to bomb down more major cities if they didn't surrender

[@oldman1734]

@@gamborler9184. Yes I can understand that. But it’s seems to me that in modern times the courage of Dutch service people is not known. They were neutral in WW1 and surrendered more quickly than the Belgiums in the Second. However that proves nothing, either way.

[@gamborler9184]

@@oldman1734 Well to start with WW1 or any war wouldn't you rather stay neutral if possible? And the reason why the Netherlands surrendered was because they didn't want more deaths to fall because of city bombings. No need for more citizens to die because of that.

[@icecoffee1361]

Great episode love finding out about the defence of Holland in 1940 👍🏻

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@slimshady6597]

So the white house from BF5 was a thing. That's so cool!

[@HistoryHustle]

Yup and it's still there :)

[@slimshady6597]

@@HistoryHustle yes, it's looks just like in the game. It's a shame what happened to the rest of Rotterdam.

[@xvsj5833]

👍👍👍👍👍Thank for sharing 💪

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks!

[@berjangerrits4099]

Weer een geweldige video. Ik heb een boek over de slag om Rotterdam. Maar dit maakt het nog wat beter te snappen, met de ligging van de bruggen en waarom die zo belangrijk waren. Ik meen me te herinneren dat Nederlandse soldaten in een huis zaten tegenover de bruggen en dat iedere Duitser die overstak (met auto of motor) van de brug geschoten werd.

[@HistoryHustle]

Dank voor je bericht! Op Wikipedia las ik veel interessante details, maar omdat het niet in mijn literatuur stond, besloot ik het niet te melden. Je kan goed gelijk hebben hoor. Er zijn zeker meer details te melden over deze fascinerende slag.

[@maciejniedzielski7496]

02:10 von Choltitz "savor" of Paris

[@HistoryHustle]

yes

[@jamie7026]

Another, well researched and honest account of history, with a little glamour thrown in for good measure, . It always hard to deal with a subject that is close to home, so we'll done for the lessons, professor for saying it as it was :-)

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Jamie!

[@mariyanadobreva8724]

A fascinating video about resilience and courage. I never understood fascination for Dutch Waffen SS and prefer to reserve my unlimited admiration for the Dutch who fought AGAINST Nazis.

[@HistoryHustle]

I understand. In that case I'm sure you'll like this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/onivnquEbc2rbdE

[@mariyanadobreva8724]

@@HistoryHustle Thank you.

[@hopliteavenger8517]

Hey history hustle, cam you maybe make a video about the battle of the residentie. In wich the German paratroopers were defeated by Dutch soldier while trying to capture the queen.

[@HistoryHustle]

Got the script, but have no plans made to record it on location, cannot promise when it will be delivered. Patience is my advice.

[@diffsmasher4824]

thx mate, ur passion for history is contagious! Rotterdam WAS surely the most important port in western Europe. It should of been fought over...HARD....Norwegians fought alot harder over alot less...

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@thomasgonzalez7133]

Another awesome video. Thank you. I have fought many battles at the White House on Battlefield V's Rotterdam map.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply, Thomas. Never played the game haha.

[@historyhobby5878]

Well Dome! interesting video!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks 👌

[@timetraveltvniles7650]

Fantastic video!🇳🇱

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

The quintessential Chingona. Thanks for another great video. BZ

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@Artur_M.]

I found interesting that detail about the Germans calling the Dutch Marines "black devils". It reminds me of the stories of Germans calling the U.S. Marines "devil dogs" during WW1, and supposedly also calling the Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade, commanded by Gen. Stanisław Maczek, the "black devils" in September 1939. This nickname was later carried by the soldiers of Maczek's 1st Armoured Division, who, as you know, took part in the liberation of the Netherlands. So everything is connected. 😉

[@HistoryHustle]

Guess so yes, thanks for sharing!

[@stefanmuller3069]

german soldiers never called american marines devil dogs, that is completly made up and i dont know how people still believe that

[@ShubhamMishrabro]

Wow I didn't knew about this. Can you do underrated battles of imphal and kohima in burma campaign. They were very important but don't get much recognition

[@HistoryHustle]

Keep an eye out for the WW2 week by week channel! :)

[@HemantKumar-if2nu]

The battles were called the "Stalingrad of the East" I've heard.

[@ShubhamMishrabro]

@@HemantKumar-if2nu :)

[@caslinden1373]

Weer een heel interessante video 👍👍🇳🇱

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍

[@mammuchan8923]

Very exciting video 🤗. I admire that Dutchwoman who was determined to get her groceries done during the battle 😅

[@HistoryHustle]

Crazy right?! Had to mention this haha!

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

Completely sensible to me. After the battle, rationing will definately be in place

[@demonprinces17]

Get them before gone

[@stanleyrogouski]

@@HistoryHustle It makes the battle seem more real to me. Life goes on even in the middle of a war. It also reminds me of how the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg was a woman who got hit with stray bullets while she was making bread. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennie_Wade#:~:text=Mary%20Virginia%20Wade%20(May%2021,bullet%20on%20July%203%2C%201863.

[@janvermeulen1557]

I read on some history page (can't remember where) that the Germans on the Noordereiland were close too surrender because of the lack of ammuntion. Also some of the bombers (second wave) were warned that the Dutch surrendered Rotterdam and they instead Bombed Strijen. A town nearby.

[@HistoryHustle]

I believe this was the case for the Germans in the bank building north of the bridges.

[@maciejniedzielski7496]

One bridge NOT too far

[@HistoryHustle]

indeed

[@rogerhack3750]

Rotterdam, where the depot signal troops became a combat arm and where henceforth known as "het wapen der verbindingstroepen". we were the only regiment that, during the battle at the vier leeuwen brug, went from a combat support unit to an actual combat arm.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@dickvansteijn4115]

General Kurt Student was shot in his head by a nervous LAH soldrier. He survived to become the "father of Fallschirmjäger".

[@HistoryHustle]

True.

[@wixskid]

You are awesome. Could you make a longer, more detailed version in English about all the aspects during the Rotterdam 'invasion' and bombardment? It seems you as a Dutch have way more detailed knowledge about all the aspects. Which isn't unlogic, as you are Dutch

[@HistoryHustle]

Perhaps in the future. TIK History made a good indepth video about the bombing.

[@frankberkemeier]

The location of the building where the Royal Dutch Marines Museum is housed is the same building where the Marines were fighting from.

[@HistoryHustle]

Didn't visit the museum yet. Hope to do that one day.

[@frankberkemeier]

@@HistoryHustle the museum itself is a bit underwhelming, the location isn't. 🙂

[@stansfieldmcelroy]

nice

[@HistoryHustle]

👌

[@Arcangel77able]

Hi teacher. For Holland, "the Five Days War" the Dutch fought to defend their nation against the gale of the Blitzkrieg. The first to receive the German attack on 05/10/1940. His Army had 10 Div. 9 Infantry + 1 div. light (partially motorized) could mobilize, up to 250,000 h (if Germany gave it time, of course) its Aviation had 132 Planes (some models were very interesting) its navy had two operational groups, one European and one in Asia (3 Cruisers + destroyers of escort) and a powerful fleet of submarines (30) divided into the European Squadron and that of the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia today). Within the German Plan, they were the "decoy", to attract the two best French Armies and the English BEF, towards Belgium, away from the Ardennes and Sedan: the "chosen" irruption sector, according to Manstein's plan.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@MikeHart84]

There are videos on YT that show Rotterdam from before WW2

[@HistoryHustle]

I know, very fascinating.

[@simho2069]

Another forgotten battle during the blitzkrieg was the battle of Hannut

[@HistoryHustle]

Sure thing!

[@laurentiusmichaelis8935]

25th of May is close, will you make a video on the last battle of WW II in Europe? Greetings🤝

[@HistoryHustle]

Not anytime soon. I only do that on location. I live in the Netherlands. You do the math :)

[@keithshaylofjerezabayosait168]

4 likes no views this is normal

[@HistoryHustle]

Guess a little disturbance in the system.

[@heiichbinleon1]

He got crackhead energy

[@HistoryHustle]

😅👍

[@itsblitz4437]

Oh yeah this was the multiplayer map in the Battlefield V game.

[@HistoryHustle]

I've noticed.

[@GuilhermeFerrRibMelo]

So this is the BFV map right?

[@aaa00705]

"The WW2 you've never seen before" I guess they're 1/4 right about their concept

[@GuilhermeFerrRibMelo]

@@aaa00705 yeah i guess but the final product was not a good product. The single player campaign about the heavy water facility was also based on "some" true facts and heavily copied from a tv series called "The Heavy Water War". Well made tv series btw, check it out.

[@HistoryHustle]

Believe you can play in this map in BF5 yes.

[@claudermiller]

Lol. I met a guy from Rotterdam in Key West. While in conversation I mentioned to someone else he was from Rottingham. Lolol. Seems I only knew one other European and he was from Nottingham. I got the two mixed up. He gave me a weird look. 😆

[@HistoryHustle]

lol

[@gabber_79]

Rotterdam, sterker door strijd onze motto!

[@HistoryHustle]

Zo is 't!

[@MegaRoysta]

My great-uncle was one of the Zwarte Duivels, and commanded a machine gun position from the top of the White House

[@mammuchan8923]

Niiice

[@HistoryHustle]

You ever met him Roy and talked about his experiences?

[@TimDutch]

Interesting note is that the Dutch and British planes bombed more tonnage on Rotterdam ( ca. 68 ton) then the Germans (ca. 65 ton on the city ca. 32 ton was dropped elsewhere).

[@HistoryHustle]

The 1943 bombing yes.

[@TimDutch]

@@HistoryHustle No, in 1940.

[@HistoryHustle]

And where did these bombs fell exactly?

[@TimDutch]

Die bombardementen waren gericht op het vliegveld Waalhaven.

[@TimDutch]

@@HistoryHustle zie 'Blitzkrieg onder vuur' Aspekt 2019.

[@Arcangel77able]

German General Fedor Von Vock, Army Group B, had 29 1/2 Divisions (3 Panzer Div.) and parachute forces, not to mention that he could draw on the HEER general reserve (42 more Divisions). The Germans outnumbered the Dutch 3 to 1 on the ground. In the air, the German domain was absolute, 3,530 planes were assigned to act on the Western Front, Von Bock was supported by Albert Kesselring's 2nd Luftfloote, but, despite the small, Dutch Air Force (Luchtvaartafdeling) fought tooth and nail until it was completely decimated, even the navy, tried to collaborate, going up the canals two small warships, which tried to support their soldiers with their artillery, mentioning the Dutch marine infantry corps "the black devils" that they inflicted heavy casualties on the German infantry. The actions are detailed, in the history books, the Queen and her entourage went into exile in Great Britain to continue the fight with the allies. Greetings Stephan.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for taking the time to write this additional information.

[@zackarymckay1375]

Reminds me of a map in battlefield 5

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@kimwit1307]

Nice to see the city where I work (when not in lockdown, anyway). The Germans had hoped to take the country in a single day. That didn't work out quite so easily at least.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍

[@Windwond]

I love Rotterdam.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@claudermiller]

Why didn't they use the gunboats to destroy the bridges?

[@HistoryHustle]

Good question, that's because the Dutch weren't aware of the German plans and the Germans didn't capture Dordrecht yet. When it became clear the German spearhead made it's way through Noord-Brabant and wanted to cross through Rotterdam to strike Holland, that's when it became necessary to destroy the bridges. By that time the boats weren't anywhere near.

[@theodorossarafis7370]

during the fighting the other found time to go for groceries. maybe along with the bombs also the prices dropped and she found some good deals :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Yeah, who knows!

[@nikkibaugher2427]

Did Germany have War Bond drives?

[@HistoryHustle]

Can't say, I don't know.

[@nikkibaugher2427]

@@HistoryHustle hmmmm

[@nikkibaugher2427]

@@HistoryHustle Neither do I....hmmmmm

[@Arcangel77able]

Sources (they are in Spanish language) _ That was the Second World War. (Anesa, Noguer, Rizzoli) 1972, Volume 1 page 170 and 172. _Political and Military Chronicle of World War II. (Sarpe) 1979, volume 1, page 98. _ Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aviation, ( Planeta) 1982 .Volume 1, pages 222 and 223. _ World War II Forum (web page) article: "The Dutch Air Force in May 1940" . From 06/10/2012. Greetings.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@nicolaihilckmann4677]

Limburgse Jager hier!!!

[@HistoryHustle]

💪

[@marcoskehl]

0:27 You must start accepting Bitcoins, mijn broer. Dank je! Obrigado!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@JohnnoDordrecht]

Waar ik woon vertel ik niet

[@HistoryHustle]

Dordrecht?

[@nickestnick5017]

Did Germany need the Netherlands for oil, money, ability to hide art or the heavy water program the most?

[@nickestnick5017]

From what I understand there is still nazi art being kept there in safe boxes under lock and key for years. Is this true or partially true

[@HistoryHustle]

The Germans captured the Netherlands so it wouldn't be used by the British as a stepping stone.

[@nickestnick5017]

@@HistoryHustle thank you 🙏 I really appreciate all the content , and the fact that you take time to answer questions. I feel like there were a lot of reasons but that one feels the most correct.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks, Nick!

[@nickestnick5017]

@@HistoryHustle not at all, thank you 🙏

[@puma2334]

i am early

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@sn3akydna314]

The Dutch were actually brave

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@JWang-qi6lz]

哈, I am the no.2 comment

[@HistoryHustle]

#3 ;)

[@dickvansteijn4115]

Toen de Amsterdammers stonden te kijken wat voor mooie auto's die moffen hadden werden in Rotterdam die moffen nog van de brug afgeschoten. Juules Deelder. Nederlandse Mariniers, ga je niet mee lachen. Toen niet, nu niet, nooit niet!

[@HistoryHustle]

Heb ik vaker gehoord deze. Klopt natuurlijk niks van: pas na de overgave van Nederland trokken de Duitsers Amsterdam in .

[@celebritypgh]

Very interesting content, but please reduce the amount of hand and arm gestures.

[@HistoryHustle]

I see.

[@midsue]

🇳🇱👍

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, indeed!

[@gumpyflyale2542]

Why is the flood of 1287 in Friesland not blamed on man made climate change or the floods of the 300AD that took the homes of Dutch Friesland and Flemish people how is oceans taken land in 300 AD not blamed on man because if the exact same thing happened today how would it not be blamed on man also what about the little ice age from 1300-1850 also awsome channel

[@HistoryHustle]

Not relevant to this video. Please make your comments relevant or else I'll delete them.