Art from 'Brandenburgers in the Blitzkrieg 1940: Special forces open the road to France'. Illustrated by Renato Dalmaso

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At several locations in which they were to operate, disguised Brandenburgers slipped across the border into The Netherlands to reconnoitre potential approach routes to their bridge targets. They took the opportunity to note enemy strongpoints, measure terrain, count sentries and observe any routines among the Dutch defenders. Moving in pairs or singly, they took the opportunity to prepare a full picture of the terrain they would be traversing once the invasion day arrived. They almost always crossed the border in civilian disguise, lightly armed, if at all.