May 10 1940 Invasion of Holland

[Marcel Banziger]

It's now almost 76 years ago since the Germans invaded Holland. It was the 22nd (Luftlande) Infanterie Division which did air attacks on Dutch airfields on May 10 1940. Infanterie Regiment 16 landed in Waalhaven (area Rotterdam), Infanterie Regiment 47 landed in Katwijk - Valkenburg and Infanterie Regiment 65 near Ypenburg.

How the battles developed can be found both online and the many books about this air attack so no need to go into detail here. For me personally, since it's all local history, it's very interesting and even more interesting to own a few items from this specific time.

First up two Erkennungsmarken from Infanterie Regiment 47, part of 22 (LL) Infanterie Division who landed in Katwijk.



The ground from the fields where Infanterie Regiment 47 landed was very soft and many German planes didn't make it in one piece to the ground. From many the wheels got stuck in the mud making the planes often flip over.


Furthermore a nice EKII award document signed by Oberst Hans Kreysing, commanding officer of Infanterie Regiment 16 at that time and awarded the Knight's cross on May 18. The EKII document is by coincidence also awarded on the 18th of May




Oberst Hans Kreysing, here already with the Iron Cross.


An airial photo of Waalhaven on May 10 1940 where Infanterie Regiment 16 landed and one photo after the Germans have landed and on their way to Rotterdam.



The Dutch defended very brave but after the bombing of Rotterdam 4 days later surrender was inevitable.

[Bjorn S]

Very nice objects Marcel, thanks for sharing!

[Marcel Banziger]

Thanks a lot Bjorn!!

[Brian R]

Yup, very cool. These things are best when presented in context. Nice job, Marcel.

I seem to remember seeing that EK doc before. You posted it on another forum years ago?

[Marcel Banziger]

Thanks a lot Brian! The doc has been shown here before by the previous owner, some years ago already. Pretty sure it will never leave my collection hehe

[Militarianaut]

Really nice 47er dogtags!
Do you know the book "Valkenburg mei 1940"?
It's a very good dutch book dealing with the battle of IR 47 in Holland.

I also have one tag of IR 65 in my collection, I once collected items of the 22. ID.
If you are interested in it Marcel, contact me via PN.

Best regards, Michael

[peterm]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing!

Kind regards, Peter

[Marcel Banziger]

Really nice 47er dogtags!
Do you know the book "Valkenburg mei 1940"?
It's a very good dutch book dealing with the battle of IR 47 in Holland.

I also have one tag of IR 65 in my collection, I once collected items of the 22. ID.
If you are interested in it Marcel, contact me via PN.

Best regards, Michael

haven't heard of that book yet but will give it a search. Thanks for telling me about this one!

[MarcRikmenspoel]

I'm born and raised in the USA, but my dad was a Dutch citizen. He was born on May 9, 1930. Thus, the Germans invaded on the day after his 10th birthday. The war ended on May 8, 1945, the day before his 15th birthday. For the rest of his life, he never forgot how, in the early morning hours of May 10, 1940, aircraft engines could be heard, as German airborne troops assaulted an airfield near his home. I need to check with my Dutch relatives to find where specifically my dad was at that time. I do know his family remained under occupation for the entire war, and he had a great dislike of Germans to his dying day.

[Marcel Banziger]

I'm born and raised in the USA, but my dad was a Dutch citizen. He was born on May 9, 1930. Thus, the Germans invaded on the day after his 10th birthday. The war ended on May 8, 1945, the day before his 15th birthday. For the rest of his life, he never forgot how, in the early morning hours of May 10, 1940, aircraft engines could be heard, as German airborne troops assaulted an airfield near his home. I need to check with my Dutch relatives to find where specifically my dad was at that time. I do know his family remained under occupation for the entire war, and he had a great dislike of Germans to his dying day.

Thanks for sharing your story. Would be interesting to find out where your father lived during the occupation. Perhaps I'm able to share pics here of the area where your father was at the time.

Best regards,
Marcel

[Tom B]

interesting !