15th January 1940

[Pdf27]

The Dutch General Staff meet to agree their response to the “unofficial” message from the French regarding their plans in the event of a German invasion of the Low Countries. Given the limited assistance likely to be given to the Belgians (and the co-operation the French expected) it is agreed to accelerate the planned fall back into Fortress Holland in the event of a German invasion. All bridges into the country (and many of those within it) are to be blown in the event of invasion to limit German mobility, with the fixed defences at these bridgeheads along the various defensive lines to be manned by small numbers of militia in order to slow down any German advance. The militia are given orders to hold as long as reasonably practicable then withdraw or surrender.
The main line of resistance is planned to be the Water Line, with all the regular army units withdrawn within it, as well as the Air Force and all available anti-aircraft guns and artillery pieces. While this means abandoning the majority of Dutch territory and a significant slice of their population, they do not believe that the Belgians will hold very long without French support. When they fold, the Grebbe and Peel-Raam lines upon which they are currently basing their defences will be outflanked.
Arrangements are also made which result in a number of relatively young and fit-looking “American Tourists” spending a few weeks on Walcheren and Zuid Beveland, walking over the terrain and discussing matters with a similar number of Dutchmen. Both groups look slightly out of place and uneasy in their civilian clothes. After extensive secret discussions with the Imperial General Staff relating to the Dutch defensive plan, it is agreed to commit a further battalion of Canadian troops to the area. The islands of Duiveland and Goeree-Overflakkee will now also be defended, as it is believed that this will simplify the defensive problems faced by the Canadians (the length over which an attack is likely is significantly reduced by this change). The Imperial General Staff warn, however, that should Fortress Holland be occupied then these troops will be withdrawn back to Walcheren and Zuid Beveland.
As a result of the visit, the Dutch Army arranges for the construction of a number of defensive positions along the dikes on these islands. These are in addition to the existing defensive lines, and are mainly intended for the additional artillery and mortars the Canadians will be bringing with them, and which the Dutch Army does not have available. Additional protected accommodation will also be built, since the Canadian forces will be significantly stronger than the forces the Dutch originally anticipated they would have available for defending the islands.

[Lordroel]

The Dutch General Staff meet to agree their response to the “unofficial” message from the French regarding their plans in the event of a German invasion of the Low Countries. Given the limited assistance likely to be given to the Belgians (and the co-operation the French expected) it is agreed to accelerate the planned fall back into Fortress Holland in the event of a German invasion. All bridges into the country (and many of those within it) are to be blown in the event of invasion to limit German mobility, with the fixed defences at these bridgeheads along the various defensive lines to be manned by small numbers of militia in order to slow down any German advance. The militia are given orders to hold as long as reasonably practicable then withdraw or surrender.
The main line of resistance is planned to be the Water Line, with all the regular army units withdrawn within it, as well as the Air Force and all available anti-aircraft guns and artillery pieces. While this means abandoning the majority of Dutch territory and a significant slice of their population, they do not believe that the Belgians will hold very long without French support. When they fold, the Grebbe and Peel-Raam lines upon which they are currently basing their defences will be outflanked.
Arrangements are also made which result in a number of relatively young and fit-looking “American Tourists” spending a few weeks on Walcheren and Zuid Beveland, walking over the terrain and discussing matters with a similar number of Dutchmen. Both groups look slightly out of place and uneasy in their civilian clothes. After extensive secret discussions with the Imperial General Staff relating to the Dutch defensive plan, it is agreed to commit a further battalion of Canadian troops to the area. The islands of Duiveland and Goeree-Overflakkee will now also be defended, as it is believed that this will simplify the defensive problems faced by the Canadians (the length over which an attack is likely is significantly reduced by this change). The Imperial General Staff warn, however, that should Fortress Holland be occupied then these troops will be withdrawn back to Walcheren and Zuid Beveland.
As a result of the visit, the Dutch Army arranges for the construction of a number of defensive positions along the dikes on these islands. These are in addition to the existing defensive lines, and are mainly intended for the additional artillery and mortars the Canadians will be bringing with them, and which the Dutch Army does not have available. Additional protected accommodation will also be built, since the Canadian forces will be significantly stronger than the forces the Dutch originally anticipated they would have available for defending the islands.

Nice to see it back on the TBO board.