Fort Eben Emael

The key to Hitler’s victory in the West

Fort Eben Emael cover

Description

At the outbreak of World War II, Fort Eben Emael in Belgium was the strongest fortress in the world, and it lay exactly across the German invasion route of Belgium and France. The fort's elimination was essential for the success of Hitler's invasion of the West. Deemed impregnable to conventional attack, Hitler himself suggested the means for its capture with the first glider-borne assault in military history. On 10 May 1940, ten gliders carrying just 77 paratroopers landed on top of the fort. Using top-secret hollow-charge weapons for the first time in warfare, the assault pioneers of Sturmgruppe Granit subdued Fort Eben Emael within just 30 minutes, and the fortress surrendered within 30 hours. It remains one of the greatest raids in the annals of Special Forces.

Product details

Published Nov 20 2012
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781849080293
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 23 b/w; 6 col
Series Fortress
Short code FOR 30
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Simon Dunstan

Simon Dunstan is a well-established author, film-m…

Illustrator

Hugh Johnson

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