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(Tuesday, May 14, 1940, 7:00 p.m. NET; during the Battle of the Netherlands part of Battle of France , part of the Western Front of the World War II) — All but a small part of the Netherlands capitulated to the invading German Army tonight “to prevent further bloodshed and annihilation” as General Henri Gerard Winkelman, the Commander in Chief, called upon his troops to lay down their arms after only five days of fighting.

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After the devastating bombing of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffe today, the Germans threatened to bomb other Dutch cities if the Dutch forces refused to surrender.

Video: 'The World At War Episode 18 HD - Occupation: Holland (1940–1944)' (May 14, 1940, at 2:20)

The General Staff knew it could not stop the bombers and ordered the Dutch Army to cease hostilities. The last occupied parts of the Netherlands were liberated in 1945.

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Dutch troops in the province of Zealand continued to resist the Wehrmacht until May 17, 1940, when Germany completed its occupation of the whole country.

The last occupied parts of the Netherlands would not be liberated in 1945.