Valkenburg in Valkenburg aan de Geul, Limburg, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Duitse invasie - May 10, 1940 - German Invasion

— 75 jaar Bevrijding fotoroute —

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 28, 2024

1. Duitse invasie - May 10, 1940 - German Invasion Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In de vroege ochtend van 10 mei 1940 vielen de Duitsers Nederland binnen. In Zuid-Limburg waren al Duitse eenheden actief nog vóór het officiële tijdstip van de inval. Ze probeerden de bruggen over de Maas en het Julianakanaal onbeschadigd in handen te krijgen, zodat de opmars richting België en Frankrijk snel kon verlopen en de Belgen en Fransen niet in de gelegenheid werden gesteld om hun verdediging op orde te brengen. De Nederlanders wisten echter de drie belangrijkste bruggen, namelijk die in Maastricht, op tijd op te blazen waardoor de Duitse opmars een pijnlijke vertraging opliep en alle doorgangswegen in Zuid-Limburg verstopt raakten met Duitse voertuigen.

(English translation:)
In the early morning of May 10, 1940, the Germans invaded the Netherlands. German units were already active in South Limburg before the official time of the raid. They tried to capture the bridges over the Maas and the Juliana Canal undamaged, so that the advance towards Belgium and France could proceed quickly and the Belgians and French were not given the opportunity to put their defense in order. However, the Dutch managed to blow up the three most important bridges, namely those in Maastricht, in time, causing the German advance to be painfully delayed and all thoroughfares in South Limburg became clogged with German vehicles.

Erected 2019.

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(Marker Number 13/20.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Valkenburg Bevrijding/Liberation Route series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1940.

Location. 50° 51.711′ N, 5° 49.926′ E. Marker is in Valkenburg, Limburg, in Valkenburg aan de Geul. It is on Berkelstraat, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located on the south side of the Berkelpoort (“Berkel Gate”). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valkenburg, Limburg 6301 CM, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Berkelpoort (city gate) (a few steps from this marker); Construction of the Valkenburg Castle / Opbouw Kasteel Valkenburg (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Huis De Guasco (about 150 meters away); Kapsporen/ Cut Marks / Schlagspuren (about 150 meters away); Strijd om de bevrijding / Battle for Liberation

Duitse invasie - May 10, 1940 - German Invasion Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 28, 2024

2. Duitse invasie - May 10, 1940 - German Invasion Marker - wide view

(about 150 meters away); Karel Cahn (about 150 meters away); Louis Cahn (about 150 meters away); Grendelpoort / Grendel Gate (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valkenburg.

Also see . . . Zuid-Limburg (Stichting Kennispunt Mei 1940, in Dutch). A short piece on the military aspects of the invasion on May 10, 1940.

Excerpt (in translation): In Limburg (south of Roermond), the German attacker would mainly manifest itself with IV.AK and the 4th Panzer Division, as well as some task-oriented connections (including covert raiding commandos), which were carried out in the context of bridge conquests and the ambitious operation around the Belgian fort Eben- Emael would be moved forward. In the northern section, however, the 14th and 31st ID (both XI.AK) were deployed against the Maas defense. Below this, the divisions of IV.AK, namely 7.ID, 18.ID and 35.ID, came into action, establishing cooperation with 4.PD around Maastricht. In the far south of the province, 269.ID of XXVII.AK came into view around Eijsden. Six German infantry divisions and a large tank division. They took on slightly more than a regimental strength of Dutch troops, which makes any explanation regarding the hopelessness of the defenders superfluous.

In
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 28, 2024

3. Duitse invasie - May 10, 1940 - German Invasion Marker - wider view
Limburg there were mainly fierce battles – albeit short-lived – around the capital. There, advanced German troops encountered some stubborn Dutch defenders, who managed to prevent the most important bridges from falling intact into German hands. However, the battle in the province would be stopped by the TBLZ around 1000 hours in the morning of May 10, 1940. The great German superiority seemed to make further bloodshed a needless sacrifice.

(Submitted on June 5, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 5, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.