How would North Sea operations change if Germany preserved Dutch neutrality in World War II?
Short answerAircraft and ships would have to route around neutral territory, while Dutch access through surrounding minefields would create an exceptionally difficult operating problem.
NotesNeutral territory would interrupt the routes available to German and Allied aircraft rather than becoming another occupied operating area. Maritime traffic would also have to pass through or around mine barriers without violating Dutch rights. Neutrality would leave the Netherlands surrounded by a war it could not control. A small neutral coast could therefore reshape operations across the much larger North Sea theatre.