Clayton Donnell

Eben-Emael and the Defence of Fortress Belgium, 1940

Eben-Emael and the Defence of Fortress Belgium, 1940

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  • More about Eben-Emael and the Defence of Fortress Belgium, 1940

During World War II, the fortress of Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium was considered to be one of the most powerful. However, on May 10, 1940, German DFS 230 gliders silently landed on top of the fort and destroyed most of its weapons and observation capabilities. The garrison surrendered the following day, but the story of Eben-Emael is just one of nineteen forts of the fortified positions of Liege and Namur attacked in May 1940. Clayton Donnell's research shows that these forts were not powerless to resist the German assault and fought to the death.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2021
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd


On the early morning of May 10, 1940, the sky descended upon the defenders of Fort Eben-Emael, widely regarded as Belgium's most formidable fortress. This colossal structure, equipped with formidable artillery and infantry weapons, held the key to the Meuse and Albert Canal defenses. As the night cloaked the surroundings, German DFS 230 gliders silently glided over the southern Netherlands, landing one by one atop Eben-Emael. Within minutes, German Special Forces troops swiftly dismantled most of the fort's weapons and observation capabilities. The following day, the garrison surrendered, opening the door to Belgium and France. However, as Clayton Donnell reveals in this insightful and meticulously researched study, Eben-Emael was just one of nineteen forts of the fortified positions of Liege and Namur attacked in May 1940. Three new forts and sixteen refurbished forts held out for several days, engaging in fierce battles until their ultimate demise. Donnell's narrative challenges the prevailing notion that these static defenses were effortlessly overcome or bypassed, demonstrating their significant importance in the 1940 campaign. He sheds light on the underreporting of their significance and clarifies some of the legends that have emerged surrounding the capture of Eben-Emael itself.

Weight: 750g
Dimension: 166 x 241 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526779823

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