Rotterdam Blitz in the context of "Aerial bombing of cities"

World War II in the Netherlands can be broken down into 4 periods:

• September 1939 to May 1940: After the war broke out, the Netherlands declared neutrality. The country was later invaded and occupied by Germany.
• May 1940 to June 1941: An economic boom caused by orders from Germany, combined with the "velvet glove" approach from Arthur Seyss-Inquart, resulted in a comparatively mild occupation.
• June 1941 to June 1944: As the war intensified, Germany demanded higher contributions from occupied territories, resulting in a decline of living standards in the Netherlands. Repression against the Jewish population intensified and thousands were deported to extermination camps. The "velvet glove" approach ended. Meanwhile the Netherlands's East Indies possession in Asia was invaded and occupied by Japan.
• June 1944 to May 1945: Conditions in the Netherlands deteriorated further, leading to starvation and lack of fuel. The German occupation authorities gradually lost control over the situation. Nazis wanted to make a last stand and commit acts of destruction, others tried to mitigate the situation, until the country was finally liberated by the Allies. In the East Indies, Japan continued to occupy it until its surrender months later.

Despite Dutch neutrality, Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940 as part of Fall Gelb (Case Yellow). On 15 May 1940, one day after the bombing of Rotterdam, the Dutch forces surrendered. The Dutch government and the royal family fled to London. Princess Juliana and her children sought refuge in Ottawa, Canada, until after the war.

Carpet bombing, also known as "saturation bombing" and "obliteration bombing", is a large area bombardment done in a progressive manner to inflict damage in every part of a selected area of land. Carpet bombing refers to a type of area bombing that aims to effect complete destruction of the target area by exploding bombs in every part of it. The phrase evokes the image of explosions completely covering an area, in the same way that a carpet covers a floor. Carpet bombing is usually achieved by dropping many unguided bombs.

The term "obliteration bombing” is sometimes used to describe especially intensified bombing with the intention of destroying a city or a large part of a city. The term "area bombing" refers to indiscriminate bombing of an area and also encompasses cases of carpet bombing, including obliteration bombing. It was used in that sense especially during World War II and the Korean War. Area bombing is contrasted with precision bombing. The latter is directed at a selected target – not necessarily a small, and not necessarily a tactical target, as it could be an airfield or a factory – and it does not intend to inflict widespread damage. The term “area bombing” came into prominence during World War II.