For the Netherlands and its overseas territories May 10 is not a black day.
On that day. one year ago. the Netherlands and its people demonstrated that they desired to adhere to their age old tradition, to preserve their independence and to defend that independence against aggression.
Though this day marked the beginning of untold suffering and misery for the Netherlanders. it marked also the beginning of their courageous participation on the side of the Allies in their fight for liberty and civilization, It was a demonstration of the unity that binds the House of Orange to the people of the Netherlands. not only in times of prosperity but in days of adversity.
On that bright day in spring, one year ago. the bells of Whitsuntide Temained silent. Over the gay fields of Holland sounded the roar of guns and the rattling of machine-gun fire. while the burst of bombs brought death and destruction to its peaceful citizens and towns.
However there was no hesitation—the Netherlanders were resolved to offer their sons in order to make human life possible on their soil
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.