The Fall Of Fort Eben Emael: The Effects Of Emerging Technologies On The Successful Completion Of Military Objectives
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Major Thomas B. Gukeisen
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The Fall Of Fort Eben Emael - Major Thomas B. Gukeisen
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Text originally published in 2004 under the same title.
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THE FALL OF FORT EBEN EMAEL: THE EFFECTS OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF MILITARY OBJECTIVES
By
MAJ Thomas B. Gukeisen
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
ABSTRACT 5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5
CHAPTER 1 — INTRODUCTION 6
German Military Development (Interwar Period) 6
French and Belgian Military Development (Interwar Period) 8
Dyle Plan 10
Plan Yellow 11
Fort Eben Emael 13
CHAPTER 2 — REVIEW OF LITERATURE 16
CHAPTER 3 — PLANNING THE OPERATION 19
CHAPTER 4 — EXECUTION 25
CHAPTER 5 — ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS 33
GLOSSARY 41
APPENDIX A — U.S. AND GERMAN RANK EQUIVALENTS 43
APPENDIX B — WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GERMAN SOLDIERS 44
Rudolf Witzig 44
Walter Koch 45
Helmut Wenzl 45
REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 48
BIBLIOGRAPHY 49
Articles 49
Books 49
Government Documents 50
Internet 50
Other Sources 51
ABSTRACT
This study details the events of 10 May 1940 at Fort Eben Emael, Belgium, and the elements which led to the successful seizure of the fort by the German military. The central focus of this thesis is the following question: Was the use of emerging technologies the key to victory at Fort Eben Emael? First, the study focuses on the technologies themselves. Secondly, this study examines the leadership and training of the German unit assigned the mission at Fort Eben Emael. Lastly, this study examines administration and personnel issues that existed for the Belgians stationed at Fort Eben Emael. This study determined that the glider did afford troops the advantage of surprise; however, the hollow charge failed to live up to its reputation as it was most effective when used in such a way that it was no different than a conventional charge. Further, the German unit’s training and leadership was exemplary and contributed more to the mission’s success than the technologies the unit employed. Additionally, Fort Eben Emael was faced with serious internal issues that prevented a successful defence of the fort. Therefore, this thesis concludes that emerging technologies were not the most crucial component contributing to mission success.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my wife Kate for enduring the countless hours devoted tom completing this thesis and reviewing the many drafts before it was just right for them committee. Second, I owe thanks to my committee, John Reichley, Dr. Richard Barbuto, and LTC John Suprin, for guiding me down the path and subsequently keeping me on azimuth. This thesis could not have been completed without the help of Mr. Fievez; thank you for taking the time for showing me the fort, answering the countless questions, and providing me with necessary information not readily available. To Major General Kenneth Bowra for mentoring, advising, and allowing me the freedom to pursue the events surrounding Fort Eben Emael. One cannot fail to mention Ms. Helen Davis for assisting in the formatting and polishing to academic standards. Lastly, to all the veterans of Fort Eben Emael, thank you for leaving a tradition of honour and dignity and for setting the highest standards for future generations of soldiers to aspire to.
CHAPTER 1 — INTRODUCTION
In the 1930s Europe was troubled with economic depressions that led to the rise of nationalistic powers that became increasingly revolutionary and aggressive in nature. Belgium, knowing what happened in the Great War and four years of enemy occupation, took certain measures to strengthen its defences. Parliament passed a plan for restoring, modernizing, and constructing fortifications and in 1932 the construction of Fort Eben Emael began. Politically, Belgium entered into many agreements in hopes of handling future conflicts in the region. Experience had taught Belgium that, in spite of declarations, promises, and agreements, she would be in great danger in the event of European conflict. On 3 September 1939, France and Britain declared war on Germany for invading Poland.
By Belgium declaring neutrality in 1936, she could not form a joint defensive policy with France and Britain. General Maurice Gamelin, Chief of the General Staff of National Defence for France, developed Plan D in 1939 to counter a repeat of the German 1914 Schlieffen Plan. Given the solid bastion of the Maginot Line, Plan D focused on countering a German attack through France’s northern flank.
General Gamelin was a veteran of World War I and therefore had been impressed by the rewards of a defensive approach. Plan D called for a defence along the Dyle Line (so named for the Dyle River which runs from Antwerp to Namur). The river, coupled with French planners’ hopes of the Belgian border fortifications holding for five days, would allow French and British forces to assemble east of the Dyle Line and stop