Western Europe - Part II Belgium and the Netherlands a timeline
May 10th 1940:
Germany invades Belgium, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and France
May 14th 1940:
The German airforce bombards Rotterdam
May 15th 1940:
The Netherlands except voor the province of Zeeland capitulates
May 20th 1940:
The German airforce bombards Middelburg. The Dutch royal family escape to the UK
May 22nd 1940:
The Dutch army in Zeeland capitulates
May 23rd 1940:
Arthur Seyss-Inquart becomes leader of the Reichskommisariat der Niederlanden
May 27th 1940:
Oostende is bombed by the German Airforce
May 28th 1940:
King Leopold III asks for an armistice. Belgium has to hand over Eupen and Malmedy to Germany.
June 11th 1940:
VARA chairman Kees Vorrink announces that the pillarized Dutch broadcasters will be subjected to "Gleichschaltung"
June 15th 1940:
The "Nederlandsche Nationale Omroep" replaces "AVRO, KRO, NCRV, VARA and VPRO"
July 1st 1940:
As a gesture of good will to the Dutch, Hitler releases all Dutch prisoners of war. On the same day all Dutch get universal healthcare, Welfare and pensions are raised. The unemployed are no longer humilated by the State.
July 15th 1940:
Hitler releases all Belgian prisoners of war.
January 7th 1941:
In Friesland the Elfstedentocht is being held. Winner is Auke Adema.
January 12th 1941:
The Dutch and Flemish SS are recruiting. Much to the surprise of the Germans a lot of volunteers are joining up.
June 1st 1941:
The Dutch and Flemish SS are being deployed in Russia. They proof to be just as ruthless as their German counterparts.
July 1st 1941:
The Dutch and Belgians get a minimum wage, 14 days holiday. All political parties are forbidden except for the NSB in the Netherlands and VERDINASO and REX in Belgium. Thomas de Man becomes PM of Belgium which becomes the first satellite state.
July 17th 1941:
Victory Day becomes the National Holiday in Belgium and the Netherlands replacing Waterloo Day.
July 21st 1941:
All Dutch jews are rounded up and put into ghettos were they await their transport to Poland. The transports are so smooth that Himmler called it "A delight to the eye" (The 7,50 guilders a day did the trick for many Dutch train drivers)
September 1st 1941:
Start of the prosecution of Belgian Jews
June 1st 1942:
The Netherlands become a satellite state. Anton Mussert becomes president of the Dutch Republic. Real power lies by Meinoud Rost van Tonningen.
April 30th 1949:
Hitler visits Brussels and Amsterdam in occasion of his 60th birthday
September 4th 1951:
The Nederlandsche Nationale Omroep starts with daily television broadcasts.
April 20th 1952:
The NIR/INR starts with daily television broadcasts.
April 30th 1952:
Travel restrictions are released in the Netherlands and Belgium. Travelling to the Neutral Countries is allowed. Travels to the UK are only allowed with a permit.
February 1st 1953:
The biggest flood of the 20th century hits the South West of the Netherlands. 1850 people die in the floods. From all countries help is under way.
June 1st 1953:
Anton Mussert is deposed as president and Meinoud Rost van Tonningen becomes leader of the Netherlands.
July 28th 1955:
Both The Netherlands and Belgium sign the Copenhagen Pact
August 15th 1958:
Van Tonningen is killed in a car crash. Bas de Gaaij Voortman becomes PM. Joseph Luns becomes president.
October 6th 1958:
Natural gas is found in Groningen. Starting off an period of wealth and prosperity.
January 25th 1963:
The Beatles visit Amsterdam for their first concert in the German zone of influence. A sign of the liberalisation of the Netherlands.
November 1st 1963:
German visitors must obtain a permit before entering The Netherlands. According to Berlin the Dutch are too liberal. However the Netherlands are the port of entry of the luxury goods from the UK and the USA which the leaders in Berlin want. So no further measures are taken as long as the Dutch stay loyal.