A Thorn in the Flesh ETO (id:#56783)

At the Point (At the Point # 11-12 ID: ATP05)   [next]   [previous]

Dordrecht, the Netherlands 1940-05-13 (61 others)

Overview:

After a day of heavy street fighting against a numerically and qualitatively superior enemy, total exhaustion and disorganization threatened the Dutch troops. To prevent total collapse of the Dordrecht fortress, the Dutch decided to withdraw their troops behind the outer ring of canals around the old town. The plan was carried out early in the night, except for some roadblocks guarded by sentries in the streets south of the bridges and a group of the Dordrecht garrison commanded by Lieutenant Pfasschaert. This group had been guarding the bridges since the 10th of May and hampered and even obstructed all traffic crossing the bridges over the Oude Maas. The activities of Pfasschaert’s group were a thorn in the flesh of General Student. Fearing his division would be split up, he ordered to clear the inner town and to liquidate the Dutch bridgehead near the Oude Maas.

Defender: Dutch (2nd Battalion, 1st Cyclist Regiment, Dutch Light Division and Dordrecht Garrison)  

Errata (source)