May 1940: Thunder rolls over Rotterdam. From the docks to the rooftops, life changes in an instant.
In Rotterdam: Invasion of Holland, Wilhelmina Steenbeek presents a vivid chronicle of one of the most shocking moments of early World War II. Germany’s aggressive assault on the Netherlands included a rapid mechanized invasion—and when the defenders faltered, the sky darkened with bombs. Rotterdam, a city of culture and trade, became ground zero for devastation.
Through precise maps, eyewitness stories, and stark illustrations, this Battle Book captures the clash of strategy, the horrors of aerial bombardment, and the moral questions raised when civilians lie in the crossfire. Steenbeek doesn’t just recount military movements—she reveals the human cost, the chaos, and the courage of those caught in lines of fire.
For anyone who seeks not just the facts of history but the sound of sirens, the ruination of buildings, and the resolve of a city under siege, Rotterdam: Invasion of Holland is both a memorial and a warning—of how quickly war can consume peace, and how resilient the human spirit can be in its aftermath.