{"product_id":"9781472846686","title":"Holland 1940 : The Luftwaffe's first setback in the West by Ryan K. Noppen","description":"The history of how the Luftwaffe planned to knock out Holland, but instead suffered wounds against the Dutch that would come to haunt them in the Battle of Britain.   The German invasion of the Netherlands was meant   to be a lightning-fast surgical strike, aimed at shoring up the right flank   of the assault on France and Belgium. With a bold plan based largely on   Luftwaffe air power, air-landing troops, and the biggest airborne assault yet   seen, a Dutch surrender was expected within 24 hours.   But the Netherlands possessed Europe's first   fully integrated anti-aircraft network, as well as modern and competitive   aircraft. On 10 May, the German attack was only partly successful, and the   Dutch fought on for another four days. On the fifth day, with its original strategy   having largely failed, the Luftwaffe resorted to terror-bombing Rotterdam to   force a surrender.   Explaining the technical capabilities and campaign plans of the two sides, and charting how the battles were fought, this fascinating book reassesses this little-known part of World War II. Author Ryan K. Noppen argues that while the Holland campaign was a tactical victory for Germany, the ability of the well-prepared but outnumbered Dutch to inflict heavy losses was a warning of what would come in the Battle of Britain.\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback \/ softback","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56300398575989,"sku":"9781472846686","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472846686.jpg?v=1762787765","url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/products\/9781472846686","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}