sentences:  On 10 May 1940 Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands and the government fled to London to escape the German occupation.De Jong then an Lieutenant junior grade was giving a battlefield promotion and command of the nearly finished submarine HNLMS "O 24" and was ordered to bring the submarine to the HMNB Portsmouth naval base in Portsmouth, England.De Jong successfully navigated the HNLMS "O 24" through English Channel and was awarded the Bronze Cross for bravery on 16 July 1940.