Fall of the Low Countries and France (WWII): May–June 1940

Germany's Blitzkrieg in the West unfolded in three rapid phases:

Netherlands (Holland): May 10–15, 1940

• May 10: Surprise invasion (neutral violated). Paratroopers seize bridges; Rotterdam bombed May 14.
• May 15: Dutch surrender after Rotterdam bombing threat to Utrecht. Queen Wilhelmina flees to UK.

Belgium: May 10–28, 1940

• Fort Eben-Emael captured by glider troops (May 10).
• Allied (BEF, French) advance into Belgium per Dyle Plan—then cut off by German Ardennes breakthrough.
• May 28: King Leopold III surrenders Belgian Army unilaterally (controversial). Government flees to London.

France: May 10 – June 25, 1940

• German Panzer Corps smashes through Ardennes (May 13), crosses Meuse at Sedan.
• Race to the Channel splits Allied forces; Dunkirk evacuation (May 26–Jun 4) saves 338,000.
• June 14: Paris declared open city; government flees to Bordeaux.
• June 22: Armistice signed at Compiègne (same railcar as 1918).
• June 25: Hostilities cease. France divided: Occupied Zone (N/W) + Vichy Zone (S/E).

Total campaign: 6 weeks. Established German hegemony over continental Europe until 1944.