Problems at Maastricht

While the fighting for the Albert Canal bridges was in progress at 0535 hrs, the German Army crossed the border. Previously a squad of about eighty-five men dressed in Dutch police uniforms had made their way to Maastricht with the intention of preventing the bridges over the Meuse from being blown. The squad was recognized for what it was ten kilometres inside Holland and suffered heavy casualties. A smaller squad with the same mission reached the city limits but also failed. The leader, a German NCO, was wounded near the bridge and his deputy fled. The remainder of the group, five Dutch Nazis, were so unfit through drink as to be unable to carry out the plan and the bridges were demolished by the Dutch between 0740 and 0800 hrs just as the first regular German troops reached the town.

At Maastricht the Germans made every effort to get their troops and material to the western bank of the Meuse as quickly as possible. Pontoons, catwalks and rubber dinghies proved efficient means for the purpose, and served to transport first the infantry and then vehicles, weapons and equipment across the river. A large number of motorized vehicles was seen as necessary for the impending struggle. The replacement bridges for the panzers were not ready until 0530 hrs on 11 May. The Dutch garrison at Maastricht surrendered shortly after 1100 hrs on 10 May. Their principal contribution during the short battle, the destruction of the bridges, had a major effect, the most important being to delay the panzer divisions, responsible for the German advance, by twenty hours. This proved a great disappointment for German expectations.

On 10 May at approximately 1000 hrs, Aldinger’s flak batteries arrived to reinforce the paratroop assault groups. This artillery support was extremely effective. Later at 1300 hrs two units of 103.Artillery-Regt. reached Vroenhoven and Veldwezelt as reinforcements. Schützen-Regt 33 arrived at Veldwezelt between 1200 and 1300 hrs, and also the smaller parties from Battalion zbV100, now in German uniforms. The paratroopers had a job for these soldiers. The same was the case at Vroenhoven for men of Schützen-Regt 12 and Battalion zbV 100. By midday on 10 May, both bridges were securely in German hands, and occupied by determined German troops.