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Fort Eben Emael

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Fort Eben-emeal is a belgian fort near the Albert Canal. It was built to defend Belgium from Germany. On 10 May 1940, 74 paratroopers of the German 7th Flieger later 1st Fallschirmjäger Division landed on the fortress with gliders. This blog is my trip and tour I took of the fort.
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World › Europe › Belgium › Provincie Limburg › Eben

Fort Eben Emael

August 25, 2007
Outside the Fort

I mentioned a little bit in the intro, but here is the some more of the story:

 

This was a Belgian fortress in between Liege and Maastricht, near the Albert Canal, defending the Belgian-German border. Constructed in 1931-1935, it was reputed to be impregnable. But on 10 May 1940, 74 paratroopers of the German 7th Flieger later 1st Fallschirmjäger Division landed on the fortress with gliders. One day later, they were reinforced by the German 151st Infantry Regiment and the fortress was taken. More information here
http://www.fort-eben-emael.be/home.php?lang=en
and here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Eben-Emael  

 

I went with a couple of my German friends; I think they are proud about the military Brilliance of this victory, as I would be also.

Outside the Fort
  Because it was the first time ever that gliders were used in a combat situation.  And to capture a fort like this is spectacular.  Anyway, outside of the fort is pretty cool because they have tanks and artillery sitting around.  Inside of the fort is where the tour was.  We had to wait for the English tour to begin.  There was a short film that told the history of the fort and of the battle.  Then we toured around the fort.  The tunnels and bunkers go deep in the mountains, 60 meters below the surface in one spot.  There are 5.5 Kilometers of tunnels.  Many guns and stairs to look at and go up and down, some still there from the war.    After the impressive tour we went on top of the fort.  This is nice also.  Many bunkers guns and stuff are there to see.  Also there is a nice view at the end of one of the sides.  As a history buff this was a nice trip for me, and it took most of the day.  I recommend this for any military history buff. 

jennjeff1 says:
Cool! ~Jeff
Posted on: May 01, 2008
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Outside the Fort
Outside the Fort
Outside the Fort
Outside the Fort
Outside the Fort
Outside the Fort
The front
In the Museum
Many stairs
many Tunnels, 5.5 Kilometers worth
Gun
Gun
More tunnels
even more tunnels
I would get lost in there if I w...
Damage from a German bomb
Damage from a German bomb
From on top the fort
the top
View from the top.
View from the top.
Top
On top of the front
one final picture of the front
Thats me
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