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    The Fall Of Fort Eben Emael: The Effects Of Emerging Technologies On The Successful Completion Of Military Objectives
    The Fall Of Fort Eben Emael: The Effects Of Emerging Technologies On The Successful Completion Of Military Objectives
    The Fall Of Fort Eben Emael: The Effects Of Emerging Technologies On The Successful Completion Of Military Objectives
    Ebook92 pages1 hour

    The Fall Of Fort Eben Emael: The Effects Of Emerging Technologies On The Successful Completion Of Military Objectives

    By Major Thomas B. Gukeisen

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    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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLucknow Books
    Release dateNov 6, 2015
    ISBN9781786250483
    The Fall Of Fort Eben Emael: The Effects Of Emerging Technologies On The Successful Completion Of Military Objectives

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      Book preview

      The Fall Of Fort Eben Emael - Major Thomas B. Gukeisen

      This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING—www.picklepartnerspublishing.com

      To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – picklepublishing@gmail.com

      Or on Facebook

      Text originally published in 2004 under the same title.

      © Pickle Partners Publishing 2014, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

      Publisher’s Note

      Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

      We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

      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

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