The Great Dutch Ears of World War II -

Just prior to its invasion by the German Army The Netherlands, recognizing their absurd military weakness when compared with the Wermacht, came up with an almost equally absurd defense measure in the form of various "Ear" devices.  These were supposed to give early warning of German air attack.  In the end, the invasion began (with massive parachute drop) on May 10, 1940.  The Dutch surrendered to the Germans 5 days later.  The final blow was an aerial bombing attack on the city of Rotterdam on May 14 in which more than 1,000 civilians were killed, 85,000 made homeless, and much of the city's historical center was obliterated, in the course of an afternoon.       photo source