BELGIUM, HOLLAND, and LUXEMBURG INVADED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 111, 11 May 1940, Page 11

BELGIUM, HOLLAND, and LUXEMBURG INVADED

Victims Resist Aggression

IMMEDIATE AID BY THE ALLIES

Advancing According to Prepared Plan

(Received May 11,11 a.m.)

LONDON, May 10. German land and air forces in the early hours of this morning invaded the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxemburg. Germany had presented the three States with memoranda declaring that the Allies were intending to attack through those countries, and that Germany would safeguard their neutrality. General mobilisation has been,ordered in Belgium and Holland, and the armed forces are resisting and their defensive systems are being Brought into operation. It was announced this morning that the British and French Governments were taking immediate steps to go to the assistance of Holland and Belgium with all the means at their command. This was followed by a French War Office assurance that a plan prepared in advance in the event of an enemy invasion of Belgium was being carried out. Meanwhile, Brussels reported that British and French troops were moving. . * A French military spokesman stated that the German attack against Belgium, Holland, and Luxemburg was made along all three frontiers. There was nothing on the French frontier except lively patrol encounters on a 10-mile front. The Germans attacked Belgium, Holland, and Luxemburg in the customary manner, concentrating against aerodromes to prevent opposing aircraft taking off. Marshal Gamelin, the Allied Commander-in-Chief of the land forces, in an order of the day, stated: "The attack which we have foreseen since last October has been launched. Germany is engaged in a war to the death and the war is against us here. The password for France and all her Allies is 'Courage, energy, and confidence.'"

A French communique states that French and British troops are advancing on a front extending from the North Sea to the Moselle, and that their progress continues in Belgian territory. The Allied forces are operating in accordance with a plan prepared against just this situation, but detailed news.of troop movements cannot yet be given. From 3 a.m. onwards large numbers of German bombers and parachute-troop transports swept over Holland particularly the most important south-western regions. Many of the troops landed from the air were engaged by the defenders. The Netherlands Army headquarters announced: "German troops crossed the frontier at 3 a.m. Germans attempted aerial attacks on several Dutch aerodromes, but the army and. anti-aircraft guns were ready for them." The announcement adbted: "'the inundations are effective according to plan. We will never enter into negotiations with the enemy. Our army is taking up defensive positions behind the flood system." The Netherlands Government Press agency announced: "Holland is at war with Germany." A member of the Government in* a statement said: "Holland will not submit to such treatment, and she will accept the challenge." The Netherlands Legation in London issued the statement: "We are now allies of Britain and France."

Authoritative information received from Brussels reports air attacks on several centres, particularly Brussels and Antwerp. The bombing of Brussels began at 5 a.m. and continued until 6.15 a.m. Every aerodrome near the capital was attacked, and a military hospital at Bergenopzoon was among the places bombed.

The German radio is persistently appealing to the Belgians and the Dutch not to obstruct the invaders. One broadcast specifically appealed to Belgians to "lay down your arms. "We only want to cross Belgium."

The Foreign Ministry states that German troops penetrated a.few hundred metres into Belgium, where they halted. Belgians are entrenched behind the demolition line, namely, the first line of destroyed bridges and road barriers. The British "War Cabinet met at No. 10 Downing Street at 8 a.m. All members were present, and also the heads of the three Services. The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, before entering, said: "Well, it has started at last!" The meeting lasted 35 minutes.

The War Cabinet and the Chiefs of Staff met again at 11.30. A crowd cheered each arrival at No. 10 Downing Street.