CBS: Elmer Davis and the News
Major fighting in Belgium
May 13, 1940

1). Germans say their advances are ahead of schedule in some areas. There is a different front on every road. More fighting in Rotterdam and German reinforcements may allow them to take the city. Queen Wilhelmina and the Dutch government escaped to London, England. Major fighting Belgium. The air war continues, especially in Belgium. Germans continue to advance in Norway and the Swedes are now nervous about German troop movements along the border.

2). The anti-British campaign goes on in Italy.

3). Winston Churchill made his first speech in Parliament today. He said, ""I have nothing to offer by blood, toil, tears, and sweat. If you ask me, what our war aim is, I give you only one answer: Victory! Victory whatever the cost!"

4). Roosevelt asks for more money for American defense.


Timeline: May 13, 1940
(0400-0427 Greenwich time) Amsterdam, Netherlands, is hit by over fifty aerial bombs.

The German Luftwaffe concentrates an attack on the city center of Rotterdam, Netherlands, without regard for civilian casualties. About 1000 civilians are killed.

German 9th Panzer Division breaks through the frontier with Netherlands, and rushes to bridges in the Dordrecht - Moerdijk - Rotterdam area, cutting the Netherlands in two.

German units passing through Luxembourg advance into Belgium through the Ardennes forest, crossing River Ourthe, heading to River Semoy.

German forces bypass Liége forts in Belgium, capturing Liége itself.

A German mechanized column clashes with Allied armored forces near St. Trond, 22 miles northwest of Liége.

The Holland America freighter Blommersdyk arrives at Hoboken, New York, USA, with a large shipment of gold for safe-keeping at the New York Federal Reserve bank.

German 7th Panzer Division lead by General Erwin Rommel crosses the Meuse River at Dinant.

The governments of Great Britain, Netherlands, and France assure Japan that no change of control of the Netherlands Indies is intended.

The German government warns Great Britain, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands that for any German parachute soldier shot contrary to international law, ten surrendered French soldiers would be shot.

(afternoon) French artillery and Allied air bombs destroy part of the Istein railroad tunnel, five miles north of the Swiss border, cutting off a section of vital army rail transportation to part of the German Westwall fortifications.

(afternoon) Netherlands forces regain control of Rotterdam north of the Maas River, and Noorder Island.

(about 1600 hours) German 1st Rifle Regiment of 19th Armored Corps crosses the Meuse River at Sedan, under cover of continuous light Luftwaffe attacks on defenders. Engineers complete a bridge across the river by daybreak.

Queen Wilhelmina and the Dutch government escape to London, England.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill makes a speech in the House of Commons, including "I have nothing to offer by blood, toil, tears, and sweat. If you ask me, what our war aim is, I give you only one answer: Victory! Victory whatever the cost!".

(evening) Munich, Germany, radio station reports Adolf Hitler saying Germany possesses a "death-dealing" wave or ray, obtained from splitting atoms, which can exterminate any living creature within a 1000-foot radius, for which no known protection has yet been discovered.