The Silent Attack: The Taking of the Bridges at Veldwezelt, Vroenhoven and Kanne in Belgium by German Paratroops, 10 May 1940

by Óscar González, Thomas Steinke (Co-Author), Ian Tannahill (Co-Author)

Much has been written about the capture of Fort Eben Emael Belgium by German paratroopers, on May 10, 1940. This operation marked the first use of gliders and shaped charges, while proved possible drop paratroopers behind enemy lines. The training, secret, accuracy and speed, in addition to the element of surprise, these men became lethal, causing chaos among Belgian soldiers. However, it should be stressed that these paratroopers were part of a larger group: The Sturmablteilung Koch (Koch Assault Group), the elite of the Luftwaffe in 1940, whose mission was not only to take Eben Emael, but also the three bridges over the Alberto canal near: Veldwezelt, Vroenhoven and Kanne. The success of the attack on Belgium and France would depend on the rapid conquest of those bridges. The aim of this book is to show how it was planned and carried out the assault on the Albert Canal bridges. All this not only through a supported text documents, records and evidence, but also by many photos never published until now. Every detail, from the creation of the Koch Assault Group, until the final attack, has been closely scrutinized by reference to the best sources, as well as testimonies of Belgian and German soldiers. About the authors: Oscar Gonzalez Lopez has a degree in Philosophy and teaches History and Philosophy. As a military historian his research has focused on the Fallschirmjager as well as the Spanish volunteers in the German Army during the Second World War, through close contact with many former veterans. Amongst other books, he has published Fallschirmjager at the Gran Sasso and German Paratroops in Scandinavia. He lives in Spain. Thomas Steinke studied at the Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg, Germany. He takes part in the 'Volksbund Dr. Kriegsgraberfursorge', being involved in the search and care of German War graves of the Second World War, as well as in educational activities whose main goal is to improve the mutual and peaceful understanding amongst the European people. The focus of his studies has long been German paratroopers, in particular the members of the Sturmabteilung Koch and the LL-Sturmregiment. Ian Tannahill holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Queensland, Australia, and is a registered patent and trade mark attorney. His interest in the Fallschirmjager was sparked by an article he read as a teenager on the fall of the fortress of Eben Emael. His contact with former German paratroopers ignited a desire within Ian to tell the world about the capture of the Albert Kanal bridges by the Fallschirmjager and glider pilots of Sturmabteilung Koch.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, World War II

372 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Manray9 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Silent Attack: The Taking of the Bridges at Veldwezelt, Vroenhoven and Kanne in Belgium by German Paratroops, 10 May 1940 by Óscar González, Thomas Steinke, and Ian Tannahill addresses an early operation of World War II which is often neglected by Anglophone historians. Unfortunately, it does so poorly. I suspect the narrative is weakened by an inept translation -- making categorical statements and then contradicting them, reusing vocabulary to the point of exhaustion, and composing awkward sentences. The book itself has many typos and misspellings, is plumped up with superfluous photos, contains long lists of questionable relevance, and features maps with keys and text not translated from German. Purchased as a new hardcover from Pen & Sword, within minutes of opening the pages began to fall out. Soon whole chapters were dropping into my lap. The production values of the book are shoddy indeed --especially considering the price.

I cannot glide to a landing of more than Two Stars for this deficient effort.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive account of some forgotten actions in the 1940 campaign that is extensively researched. The authors do provide some unbalanced attention (though not bias) to the German participants over their Belgian adversaries (in text as well as images - there are dozens of unnecessary photographs of individual Fallschirmjager). There are some obnoxious grammatical errors throughout, too. Could stand to have a few more maps. Nevertheless, the good outweighs the bad for those interested in the Fall of the West.

[Ridwan Anam · Rating 2 out of 5]

মূলতঃ সামরিক ধাঁচের বই। জার্মান এলিট প্যারাট্রুপার আর গাইডার ফোর্সের কাহিনী। বাহিনীর জন্ম, গড়ে উঠা, ফোর্ট ইবেন অ্যামেল আক্রমণ পর্যন্ত ইন্টারেস্টিং। বইয়ের মাঝপথে আগ্রহ হারিয়ে ফেলেছি।