When the British Government confirmed Winston Churchill as their new Prime Minister, on May 10th, 1940, Adolph Hitler's hopes of avoiding war on two fronts were finally dashed. To complete Germany's western defenses, invasions of neutral nations including The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway were launched. For the people of The Netherlands, who had remained steadfastly neutral throughout the First World War, this was an act of massive betrayal. Although a minority cooperated with the occupiers, and more volunteers from The Netherlands joined and fought with the German Waffen SS forces than from any other occupied country, the majority refused to support the Nazi doctrine. Help from Britain's Special Operations Executive collapsed in a series of blunders that led to accusations of treachery and further betrayal. Despite this, during the period from May 1940 to VE day in 1945, more escaping Allied soldiers and airmen, and Jewish and other fugitives, were helped to freedom from The Netherlands, than from any other occupied country. In this turmoil, little groups of civilians risked-and lost-their lives, opposing the invaders in the bravest and best way that they could. Groups like the tiny band of students, calling themselves 'The White Tulips'.
