The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

ASSAULT ON EBEN EMAEL

During the Second World War on the 10th of May 1940 German glider troops tried to captured the Belgian fort of Eben Emael which was strategically placed at the junction of the Albert Canal and Maas river, north of Liege, to guard a vital crossing-point and which was considered to be impregnable as any assault would have to be made across either the river or the canal. It was attacked by a squad of 85 German glider troops who landed on top of the fort and used special explosive charges to put the gun turrets out of action, but were unable to get into the fort itself as they were pinned down by crossfire from neighbouring forts. The following day German troops crossed the canal by boat to relieve the glider force, who had suffered relatively low casualties, and the fort surrendered. The gliders were quickly removed so for several years it was believed that the assault had been made across the canal.
Research Assault on Eben Emael