 When the message reached KG 54's command post, the "Geschwaderkommodore" Walter Lackner, was already approaching Rotterdam and his aircraft had reeled in their long-range aerials.Haze and smoke obscured the target; to ensure that Dutch defences were hit Lackner brought his formation down to 2,300 ft (700 m).The first group unloaded their bombs on the centre of Altstadt where it was thought Dutch artillery was concentrated.