Silent Attack from the Air: Part 2: The Conquering of Fort Eben Emael

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Ten minutes before the start of the Western campaign on 10 May 1940 a specially selected Division of paratroopers took to the air to execute a strategically vital special mission: a coup-like seizure of the bridges over the Albert Canal, west of Maastricht and of the heavy weapons of Eben Emael. Constructed in 1931–1935, Fort Eben Emael was reputed to be impregnable and, at the time, the largest military fortress in the world.

On 10 May 1940, 78 paratroopers of the German 7th Flieger (later 1st Fallschirmjäger Division) landed on the fortress with gliders (type DFS 230), armed with special high explosives to attack the fortress and its guns. Most of the fort's defences were lightly manned and taken by complete surprise. Much of the fort's defensive armament was destroyed in a few minutes. The attackers were unable to penetrate inside the underground galleries, but the garrison was unable to dislodge them from the surface of the fort. The fortress surrendered one day later, when the German paratroopers were reinforced by the German 151st Infantry Regiment. While 1200 soldiers were authorized to be at the fort on any given day, only 650 were at the fort with an additional 233 soldiers 6 km away at the time of the German assault.

This second part in a three part mini series on the Eben Emael attack explains how the Germans managed to successfully conquer the largest military fortress in the world, effectively catching the Belgians napping, as well as a detailed schedule of the fighting. The DVD explains the main attack on the fortress through the use of rare and original German documentary footage. Added to this is a selection of descriptions of the battle by witnesses of both sides creating an impressive and accurate portrayal of this iconic military operation.

ISBN: 4260110580403
Author: UNKNOWN
Format: DVD
Publication date: 01/08/2012
RRP: $39.99
Dimension: 190mm X 135mm
Imprint: Pen & Sword DVD FIRM