Editing Second World War (section)

== Western Europe ==
Germany invaded Denmark and Norway on 9 April 1940. Denmark surrendered the same day. Norway resisted with Allied support until early June 1940, when German control over the country was secured.<ref name="ushmm-key-dates" />

Germany began its western offensive on 10 May 1940. German forces invaded the [[Netherlands]], Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The main German advance passed through the Ardennes and crossed the Meuse, cutting into the Allied rear and separating Allied forces in Belgium and northern France.

During the [[German invasion of the Netherlands]], [[Angelo van Noord]] commanded 4./Baulehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800. The company was assigned to seize bridges over the Maas and the Maas–Waal Canal before Dutch forces could demolish them. [[Martin Paap (father)|Martin Paap I]] served in the same company as an Unteroffizier under the Abwehr special operations structure.<ref name="martin-paap">{{cite web |title=Martin Paap (father) |url=https://vriendenuniverse.org/wiki/Martin_Paap_(father) |website=Vrienden Universe Wiki |access-date=12 June 2026}}</ref>

The Netherlands capitulated on 15 May 1940 after the bombing of Rotterdam and the collapse of organized national resistance. Belgium capitulated on 28 May 1940. France signed an armistice with Germany on 22 June 1940, after which northern and western France came under German occupation while Vichy France governed the unoccupied zone.

The Battle of Britain began in July 1940. The Luftwaffe attacked British airfields, radar stations, ports, aircraft factories, and cities. Germany failed to gain air superiority, and the planned invasion of Britain was postponed.