Holland. Rotterdam. May 12
A wartime report on the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940, including Dutch claims of an orderly military withdrawal, fighting around Rotterdam and continued Allied support. The article also reports allegations that German forces used nerve gas to capture a fort on Belgium’s Albert Canal.
A Dutch Army communiqué issued at 1.20 a.m. states:
“German troops crossed the Rivers Yssel and Maas at several points. Our frontier troops withdrew to new positions without important losses. Dutch planes bombed German troops. French troops have been in touch with the enemy in the east of North Brabant. Our frontier troops in this area withdrew according to plan.
“The northern provinces, in which there are no defences, have been entered by Germans.
“Germans, on Sunday, made only a few attempts to drop parachute troops, and those who landed were destroyed immediately. Our artillery successfully attacked Waalhaven.
“Mopping up has nearly ended in Rotterdam.
“In the interior, the Dutch have the position fully under control.”
A Berlin communiqué says that in the north of Holland Germans occupied the province of Groningen and reached Harlingen.
A further 64 Allied planes have been shot down, making a total of 300. A single plane last night flew over Western Germany and attacked non-military objectives without result. Our loss of planes in comparison with successes is slight. Thirty-five are missing.
The Dutch Minister in London, broadcasting to America, said that The Hague was advised telephonically that the German Air Force so far has not undertaken the systematic bombing of non-military objectives.
The Allies are strongly supporting the Belgian troops, and the news generally is encouraging. “It is certain that the Netherlands Army is keeping up its morale, despite overwhelming odds against them.”
The American Press Rotterdam correspondent says that Dutch troops regained possession of the Maas River bridge.
At least 30 are reported killed and many wounded in an air raid this morning. Four heavy bombs landed in the centre of the city. Many British fighters are reported to be operating near Amsterdam. It is understood that the situation at The Hague is little changed.
## New German Gas
**LONDON, May 12.**
The American Press Berne correspondent says neutral military observers state that a new method whereby the Germans captured the powerful fort on the Albert Canal is believed to be nerve gas, the inhaling of which induces lassitude and inability to co-ordinate the muscles. The German announcer boasted that the invincibility of the Maginot Line was put in a different light.