Rotterdam after the 1940 WWII bombing raid
Rotterdam after the 1940 WWII bombing raid
Credit: Commons user Sandik

The city centre of Rotterdam was almost completely flattened in the 1940 Rotterdam Blitz. This World War II aerial bombardment was part of the Battle of the Netherlands wherein Nazi German forces invaded the Low Countries. The Netherlands surrendered after four days to avoid further bombings. Picture taken after debris was cleared.