The Cupola Smashers of Eben Emael ETO (id:#58538)

On All Fronts (On All Fronts # 88 ID: O88.2)   [next]   [previous]

Fort Eben Emael, Belgium 1940-05-10 (80 others)

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Overview:

In early May 1940, the fortress of Eben Emael was a potent sentinel over the Belgian-Dutch borderlands. A ferro-concrete monster built in the 1930s on the Albert Canal, the fortress covered 75 hectares on the surface, had 5km of tunnels underground and was studded with bunkers, gun turrets and casemates. With a garrison of 1,200 men and the natural protection of 60m-high canal walls, and Eben Emael gave the impression of near-impregnability. On 10 May 1940, just 78 elite airborne soldiers of the German 7th Flieger Division (later renamed 1st Fallschirmjäger Division) managed to defeat the fortress in an operation of unprecedented tactical skill. Deployed by glider onto the very top of the fortifications, they utilized elite training, fast movement and specialist explosives to destroy many of the gun positions and trap much of the garrison within the fortress. Simultaneously, three other assault detachments conducted high-risk glider operations to capture critical bridges over the Albert Canal. By the end of 11 May, following the arrival of German infantry reinforcements, Eben Emael was in German hands.

Defender: Belgian (Elements of Eben Emael Garrison and arriving elements of 2nd Grenadier Regiment, 7th Infantry Division)  

Errata (source)