Operation Granitby

Tom Mouat

The Fall of Eben Emael

• Brialmont, Belgium and the First World War.

• Fort Eben Emael.

• Fall Gelb.

• Koch Storm Detachment.

• 10 May 1940.

• Late arrivals.

• Aftermath.

Brialmont, Belgium and WW1

• Henri Alexis Brialmont (1821-1903)

• Belgium

• Antwerp and Liege Defences

• The Gap of Visé…

Th

e G

ap o

f V

isé

Liège

The Meuse River

The Maas River

Maastricht

The Gap of Visé

Brialmont, Belgium and WW1

• Henri Alexis Brialmont (1821-1903)

• Belgium

• Antwerp and Liege Defences

• The Gap of Visé…

• World War 1

Fort Eben Emael

• The Albert Canal…

• Construction and the Kaster…

• Role…

• Armament…

• Organisation…

The Albert Canal

Construction

Construction

• Kaster • Built 1932-1935• Cost 24 Million

Francs• 4.5 Km of Corridors• Barracks, Hospital,

Power• Chemical Protection

Role

• Veldwezelt

• Vroenhoven

• Canne

• Lanaye

• Visé

Armament

• 1 x Twin 120mm

• 4 x Triple 75mm

• 2 x Twin 75mm

• 11 x 60mm AT

• 4 x AA HMG

• Modified HMG

• Searchlights

• Dummy positions

Organisation

• High Command• 3e Corps• 1er Corps• Language

• Major Jottrand• 1,200 Men• Barracks• Offices• Morale

Fall Gelb (Case Yellow)

• The Olympic Games

• Hitler's Intent

• The DFDS-230

• The Hohlladungen

• Student's Plan

Koch Storm Detachment

• Stahl, Eisen, Beton and Granit• Hauptmann Walter Koch

• Imagination• Drive and driving

• Training…• Gliders…• Equipment…• Security…• Orders…

Training

• Hildesheim• Pilot Volunteers• Discipline

• Form• Lapses

• Poland• Secrecy

• Uniform• Move

• Practice

Glid

er D

FS

-230

• Cost

Equipment

• 6 Rifles• 2 Submachine guns• 1 x Machinegun• 1 Flamethrower• 1 x 4m folding ladder• 1 Flare pistol• 2 x 50kg, 3 Bangalores, 2 x 12.5kg,

1 x 6kg Pole Charge, 5 x 3kg, 1 x 20kg crate, 5 x Bags of charges

• 2 large Flag markers.

Orders

Mission Order: Sturmgruppe Granite

Gruppführer: Oberleutnant Witzig

Deputy: Leutnant Delica

Combat Order:• Ensure complete surprise over exterior

installations, which could endanger river crossings to the north.

• In addition, attack the Panzer cupolas, casemates and AA positions.

• Break up hostile attacks and defend until relieved.

10 May 1940

• Fort Preparations.

• Lift off.

• Early casualties.

• Landing….

• The Hohlladungen….

• Attacking the bunkers….

• Hauptfeldwebel Wenzel….

Landing

Landing

• Dummy cupolas

• Cupola 120

• Lt Delica

• Sgt Maj Wenzel

The Hohlladungen

Charge

Effect

Attacking the Bunkers

Late Arrivals

• Counter-Attacks.

• Firing.

• Leutnant Witzig.

• Mier & Bader

Aftermath

• Prisoners of War

• Oberjäger Ernst Grechza

• Rewards

• Crete

• Visiting the Fort