Battle of Mill
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| Battle of Mill | |||||||
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| Part of the Battle of the Netherlands | |||||||
 Ruins of a Dutch casemate near Mill | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Netherlands |
 Germany | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Unknown |
Gerhard Kauffmann | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| ~2,000 troops |
~30,000 soldiers 1 armored train 1 troop train | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
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30 killed 50 wounded |
500 killed and wounded 1 armored train derailed 1 troop train destroyed | ||||||
The Battle of Mill was a day long struggle in and around the Dutch village of Mill on the first day of the invasion of the Netherlands. Although the Germans eventually broke through, they had suffered heavy casualties and were delayed in their advance by one day.
Background
German forces favored an attack on Mill in North Brabant for several reasons. The eastern approach was covered by thick forest, there was no swampland in front, and once inside there would be a number of roads and nearby railway that could be used to push westward.
Covering the Dutch defensive line 10km area was an anti-tank ditch lined with barbed wire and 47 casemates. The line was manned by 2 battalions, equipped with four 57mm field guns. These were supported by an artillery battalion station inside Mill, armed with twelve 84mm field guns. A company of engineers was also stationed in the area, responsible for barricading roads and prepping bridges for demolition. They were equipped with a special railway barricade referred to as "Aspergers"[1]. During the battle smaller units would be ordered to reinforce the position at Mill. Overall, the Dutch would utilize approximately 2,000 men.
The Germans planned to spearhead the assault with two trains carrying the 3rd battalion of the 481st regiment. They were to be shortly thereafter joined by the rest of the 256th Infantry Division. However, issues with transportation over the Maas river would mean that the whole division wouldn't reach Mill until noon. They would be without their heavy artillery[2].
Battle
References
External links