Preface -- Colour maps -- I. Introduction (H. Amersfoort) -- The Netherlands and the war -- The shock -- The questions -- II. The Emergence of the German Threat (H.W. van den Doel) -- The consequences of the First World War -- Versailles -- The 1920s: seeking stability -- Fascism and National Socialism -- National Socialists in power -- The German Lebensraum ambitions -- Conclusion -- III. Between Hope and Fear: The Netherlands armed forces in the interwar period (C.M. Schulten and P.M.J. de Koster) -- Introduction -- The legacy of neutrality -- After the First World War -- The cupboard is bare - from 1922 to 1933 -- Turning point -- Rising tensions -- The military geography of the Netherlands -- Strategic policy -- Winkelman's operation plan -- IV. The Gathering Storm: The German armed forces in the interwar period (J.W.M. Schulten) -- Introduction -- The German rearmament -- Baptism of fire -- The German operation plan for the Westfeldzug -- Plan of attack of the 18th Army -- The alert -- V. The Generals' Duel: Five days of war at the military strategic level (H. Amersfoort and J.W.M. Schulten) -- Düsseldorf, Friday 10 May 1940 -- The Hague, Friday 10 May 1940 -- Düsseldorf, Saturday 11 May 1940 -- The Hague, Saturday 11 May 1940 -- Düsseldorf, Sunday 12 May 1940 -- The Hague, Sunday 12 May 1940 -- Düsseldorf, Monday 13 May 1940 -- The Hague, Monday 13 May 1940 -- Düsseldorf, Tuesday 14 May 1940 -- The Hague, Tuesday 14 May 1940 -- Rijsoord, Wednesday 15 May 1940 -- VI. 'Fall Festung': A surprise attack on The Hague (C.M. Schulten) -- Introduction -- Ypenburg, Valkenburg and Ockenburg captured by the Germans -- The continuing battle for the airfields on 10 May -- The recapture of Ypenburg -- The battle for Valkenburg -- Ockenburg back in Dutch hands -- Further actions against the airborne troops and the battle at Overschie -- Conclusion.

VII. Disputed Territory: The battle in the Dutch provinces of Limburg, Noord-Brabant and Zeeland (H.W. van den Doel) -- Introduction -- Operations against the bridges over the river Maas -- The battle at Mill -- Passage through Noord-Brabant -- Zeeland struggles on -- The final pocket of resistance eradicated -- Conclusion -- VIII. The Field Army Defeated: The battle for the Grebbe Line (H.W. van den Doel) -- Introduction -- The fall of the IJssel Line -- The attack on the outposts of the IVth Division -- General Harberts' countermeasures -- The German attack on the main resistance sector -- Chaos among the military leadership -- The fall of the Grebbe Line -- The battle at Scherpenzeel -- The end -- Conclusion -- IX. "Vorwärts denken, vorwärts sehen, vorwärts reiten!": The battle in the northern provinces (P.H. Kamphuis) -- The territorial defence of the northern Netherlands -- A morning of battle and a pursuit in vain -- The collapse of the Wons Position -- The offensive reconnaissance mission fails -- Conclusion -- X. Not a bridge too far: The battle for the Moerdijk bridges, Dordrecht and Rotterdam (H.W. van den Doel) -- The German plans -- Dutch combat readiness -- The German airborne landings -- Consolidation of the German positions -- Actions by the border battalions and the Kil Group -- The Light Division takes action -- Die Panzer arrive on time -- The battle in Rotterdam -- The bombing of Rotterdam -- Conclusion -- XI. Myth and reality (H. Amersfoort) -- Still coming to terms with the past? -- Analysing the military operations -- Pre-war defence policy: does it require re-evaluation? -- Annex: Table of land forces rank equivalents -- Annotated bibliography -- Index -- Biographical notes -- Photo acknowledgements.