[Homer_J_Simpson]

Holland Overrun – 2-4
Bulletins on European Conflict – 3
Loss of Netherland Foods Seen as a Blow to Britain – 3
Meuse Clash in On – 5-7
The International Situation – 7
Nazis Bomb Ships as Armies Push On – 8-9
British R.A.F. Attache Visits Mitchel Field* – 9
The Texts of the Day’s War Communiques – 10
The Battle of the Meuse – 11
Shanghai Doubts Italy Will Fight – 12
Yugoslavia Seeks Greek Assurance – 12

*After having luncheon with Colonel Netherwood, Commodore Pirie took off at 2 P. M. for Washington. Before he left he said he was going to Ottawa Thursday to view, with officers of the United States Army, the flight tests of a new airplane known as the Spitfire.

I think it is getting some testing in France right now under highly realistic conditions.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1940/may40/f15may40.htm

Dutch Army surrenders to Germans

Wednesday, May 15, 1940 www.onwar.com

On the Western Front... The Dutch army capitulates at 1100 hours. General Bilotte, commanding the French 1st Army Group, decides to abandon the Dyle line in the face of Reichenau’s attacks. His superior, General Georges, concurs with the decision and is now in fact beginning to lose his nerve. At this stage Gamelin, the Supreme Commander, remains oblivious and confident. The German tank forces push forward, urged on all the time by their commanders who are up with the leaders and in complete control of the situation. Their momentum is maintained by this leadership. The optimistic atmosphere at French GHQ is partly dispelled by the news that Guderian’s tanks have reached Montcornet less than 15 miles from Laon. Guderian is ordered to halt here but after vigorous complaints he is allowed another day’s march.

In London... This is a vital, symbolic day for several reasons. At crucial meetings of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the War Cabinet, Air Marshal Dowding argues strongly against sending any more RAF fighters to France. Despite strong opposition Dowding has his way. The decision is taken also to send the first strategic bombing raid against the Ruhr. Finally on this day Churchill sends the first in a long series of telegrams to Roosevelt, signing himself as Former Naval Person. He asks consistently for American aid, works to develop a good relationship with Roosevelt and above all to bring America closer to active participation in the war. Already in this first message he presents a shopping list which includes old destroyers and aircraft as well as other arms.

[J Aguilar]

Mitchell was a genius, and the Rolls Royce team that developed the Merlin engine too.

They gave their nation the weapons to fight.

Never was so much owed by so many to so few (although some more than just the RAF pilots).