Dutch soldiers on motorcycles in Willemsdorp

Dutch soldiers on a motorcycle in Willemsdorp.

On the right are the police troop barracks. These soldiers were likely part of the Willemsdorp Covering Detachment. The covering detachment was responsible for guarding and securing the northern Moerdijk bridgehead. On the morning of May 10, 1940, the soldiers of the covering detachment were surprised by sudden parachute landings, during which German paratroopers captured both Moerdijk bridges. However, this photo dates back to the mobilization period when things were still calm.”