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The Fall of Eben Emael: The Daring Airborne Assault that Sealed the Fate of France: May 1940
Relates the military strategies and tactics which enabled the Germans to capture the Allies supposedly impregnable fortress on the German-Dutch-Belgian border
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 13, 2023
One of the Most Remarkable Feats in Military History
Eben Emael was an impregnable military fortress constructed soon after WWI to prevent any future invasion by Germany. It was designed with the latest artillery guns and armaments capable of withstanding the military might that Germany used during the Great War. It was not, however, anticipated to be attacked by a specially-trained small group of soldiers (eventually known as commandos) armed with special weapons.
First and foremost, this was the first airborne military operation put into effect. Hitler planned on invading France and the key to France was going through Belgium. Fort Eban Emael had to be taken in order for Hitler to achieve his goals. Enter Kurt Student, father of the newly formed parachute regiments. Hitler asks if a group of specially trained paratroopers might be able to overwhelm Eban Emael, so Student comes up with a bold and daring plan.
He intends to use attack gliders and land on top of the fort itself. This method off attack had never been done, nor was it ever dreamed up. What took place on May 10, 1940 sealed not only the fate of Belgium, but that of France. 10 gliders carrying 70 elite paratroopers descend on Eban Emael and with the use of flamethrowers, machine guns, and hollow-charges (explosives), the soldiers go about putting out of commission the fort's enormous guns.
The author takes the reader on a step by step introduction into how the glidermen were trained and fought. After two days of fighting, over 700 Belgium soldiers surrendered to less than 70 German paratroopers. The victory was so grand that every German officer was awarded the Knights Cross, their highest award for military valor, and every non-commissioned officer and soldier was awarded the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. In addition, each soldier was promoted one grade in rank.
Oddly after the battle was over, the unit that had trained for months and developed a camaraderie unparalleled was disbanded. Apparently, the Germans had yet to realize how effective small, highly trained men could in fact effect more battles to come. I bought this book in 1998 and after all these years finally got around to reading it. It's definitely worth keeping, and I'm surprised a War Film has not been made about this assault. Military historians will love the details this author has provided.
Eben Emael was an impregnable military fortress constructed soon after WWI to prevent any future invasion by Germany. It was designed with the latest artillery guns and armaments capable of withstanding the military might that Germany used during the Great War. It was not, however, anticipated to be attacked by a specially-trained small group of soldiers (eventually known as commandos) armed with special weapons.
First and foremost, this was the first airborne military operation put into effect. Hitler planned on invading France and the key to France was going through Belgium. Fort Eban Emael had to be taken in order for Hitler to achieve his goals. Enter Kurt Student, father of the newly formed parachute regiments. Hitler asks if a group of specially trained paratroopers might be able to overwhelm Eban Emael, so Student comes up with a bold and daring plan.
He intends to use attack gliders and land on top of the fort itself. This method off attack had never been done, nor was it ever dreamed up. What took place on May 10, 1940 sealed not only the fate of Belgium, but that of France. 10 gliders carrying 70 elite paratroopers descend on Eban Emael and with the use of flamethrowers, machine guns, and hollow-charges (explosives), the soldiers go about putting out of commission the fort's enormous guns.
The author takes the reader on a step by step introduction into how the glidermen were trained and fought. After two days of fighting, over 700 Belgium soldiers surrendered to less than 70 German paratroopers. The victory was so grand that every German officer was awarded the Knights Cross, their highest award for military valor, and every non-commissioned officer and soldier was awarded the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. In addition, each soldier was promoted one grade in rank.
Oddly after the battle was over, the unit that had trained for months and developed a camaraderie unparalleled was disbanded. Apparently, the Germans had yet to realize how effective small, highly trained men could in fact effect more battles to come. I bought this book in 1998 and after all these years finally got around to reading it. It's definitely worth keeping, and I'm surprised a War Film has not been made about this assault. Military historians will love the details this author has provided.
February 7, 2013
This was a very interesting book about an event that was very pivital in the German conquest of the West. It makes one wonder if the Germans had failed to take the fortress how the war might have changed.The boldness of so few against so many is the stuff of legend. It's a shame the victory opened up the whole of France and the rest of Europe to the terror that was to follow.79 did what people said could not be done!
January 16, 2022
Great little book. Well crafted narrative and interesting commentary scattered through the text. Best read with the Osprey book on the same topic just for the extra pictures and maps.
June 17, 2008
79 Fallschirmjager capture a Belgiun Fort in 1940 located on the border with Holland manned by 1200 Belgium Soldiers. I was able to corraspond with one of the glider pilots who participated.
July 6, 2011
An excellent historical account of the German paratrooper assault on the Belgian fortress of Eben Emael during the opening years of World War II.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews