All airfields within the Fortress had received an infantry occupation. And who would blameBelgium that -after all -would become themain theatre of a war between two super-powers in Europa, like it had beenin the 1914-1918 era. }oHop} {ZYkA zc-frEXg. The northwest of the country was quite save with its eastern flank along the Yssellake west shores. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files. When in March 1940 the newly appointed CIC General Winkelman altered the strategy and shifted the main defence emphasis from theEastfront to the Grebbeline, the work on the Grebbeline really started to get shape. These forces were sheltered nearby their bridgeheads. Surinam had since the 17th century become a modest Dutch colony of little importance. We've detected that you are using AdBlock Plus or some other adblocking software which is preventing the page from fully loading. Its construction hadafter all createda direct link between the northeast and northwest of the country that could be used by an invader. The approaches of the frontine were either inundated or - by absence of such inundation - guarded by rather strong forward positions that had a modest defensive duty too.

No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Netherlands Military 2020 information contained here. Both the main heavy machineguns usedby the infantry [Schwarzlose and Vickers] had a medium fire-rate of around 500 rpm. It was another excellent show of Dutch incompetence that they failed to take the defence of such an economically strategic country serious. The large reconnaissance fleet consisted of three main types. All in all one could say that the Dutch colonial army representation was quite modest in 1940/1941. Extended plans were prepared to fortify the defences much more, particularly with better reinforced positions. Very acceptable performances halfway the thirties.