In May 1940, as Germany launched its blitzkrieg across Western Europe, the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands faced one of its darkest days. Despite negotiations for a ceasefire after Dutch forces began their surrender, the German Luftwaffe undertook a massive bombing raid on the city. The assault commenced on May 14, when over 90 bombers dropped incendiary and high-explosive bombs that wrought unparalleled destruction, particularly in Rotterdam's historic city center. The raid's tactical goal was to force a quicker capitulation of the Dutch armed forces and to send a message about the consequences of resistance. The aftermath was catastrophic, with roughly 900 fatalities and about 30,000 buildings destroyed or severely damaged, obliterating significant cultural landmarks and historical architecture that had defined the city for centuries.

The bombing of Rotterdam exemplified the brutal tactics employed by the Nazi regime during World War II. It demonstrated the complete lack of moral restraint by the German high command in their quest for rapid territorial expansion. Subsequent accounts documented the intense panic that ensued among the civilian population following the attack, as many were left homeless and disoriented amid the ruins of their city. The bombing not only changed the landscape of Rotterdam but also had reverberating effects across Europe, altering perceptions of German military capabilities and intent.

In the following days, Rotterdam's mayor and governing officials were forced to negotiate surrender terms with Nazi commands to prevent further bombardments. The tragic destruction of Rotterdam became a symbol of the war's brutal reality, representing the immense cost that civilians would bear throughout the conflict. This raid was just one part of a larger pattern of aerial warfare that would characterize World War II, underscoring the shift towards total war principles where civilian targets could be legitimate military objectives.