Exit In Vlissingen*
Dutch province of Zeeland - 1940**
French defend vs German attack**
May 17th, 1940 - 2000 hours**
SPWAW 8.403*
ENHANCED FR**
Best played as: France*
Turns: 20**
Designed by: Dutchiexx*
HISTORICAL NOTES*
After the German bombardment on Rotterdam on May 14, Dutch forces in The Netherlands surrendered. In the days preceding this date, the Dutch asked for help by French forces. Their wish was granted. This meant, however, that Dutch forces in parts of the Netherlands, where they worked together with the French expeditionary force were not allowed to surrender. The only place in the Netherlands where this happened was the Dutch province of Zeeland. Here the fighting lasted until May 17, 1940.**
As can be imagined, the Dutch morale was not very high. Lots of Dutch forces surrendered therefore without their officers consent. The French forces in Zeeland felt abandoned by the Dutch.**
On May 17, at around 0300 hours, two German artillery sections opened fire on the west side of the Sloedam. Half an hour later the 9thKompanie of the III Battalion of the SS Standarte Deutschland attacked the French forces. The French resisted heavily and withstood the German onslaught.**
After this mishap, The Germans tried to drown the resistance by the use of heavy artillery fire and the use of heavy Luftwaffe bombardments on Arnemuiden, Vlissingen and Middelburg.**
These bombardments had a demoralizing effect on the French soldiers, who defended the Sloedam, even though General de Brigade Deslaurens visted the frontline more than once to urge his soldiers on. Most of his defences on the Sloedam were shattered and his forces pulled back.**
The SS Standarte Deutschland therefore had the opportunity to seize the Dutch island ofWalcheren without having to cope with too much resistance. They reached the outskirts of Vlissingen at around 2000 hours. General de Brigade Deslaurens and his troops fought a bitter battle to keep the German forces from reaching the harbour too early. Their last link to survival consiting of a small fleet of fisherboats and French marine craft were waiting in Vlissingen harbour to evacuate the men to France. Deslaurens fought literally until the bitter end. In the evening of May 17 he took a deadly hit from a German bullet. At 2300 hours Vlissingen surrendered.**
PLAYER NOTES*
You have to hold the German Onslaught at the least until your two marine vessels - at the left side of the map - are in Vlissingen harbour.**
Mon capitain, make sure these vessels stay in DEEP water; if they are grounded, General Deslaurens will not be able to pull your forces out of les Pays Bas.**
Mon General, you have to hold Vlissingen harbour until your flotilla arrives. it will consist of two vessels. At this time, your forces are all over the place. Coordinate the defense of the town and pull your men back to the harbour!**
DESIGNER NOTES*
You have to bring your two vessels into the harbour using only the deep water hexes. So watch carefully for colour changes in the water. Hovering your mouse over a hex before moving your vessel into it will help too!**
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