The Albert Canal - May 1940.

Discussions on WW2 in Western Europe & the Atlantic.
User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#1

Post by tigre » 05 Jun 2010, 17:49

Hello to all :D; here goes a new thread..............

I have divided the thread of the following way: brief description of the Belgian’s deployment; description of the situation of the bridges; German preparations and soon the actions since May 10 in the following succession:

1º airborne attack,
2º ground operations from the south to north (269 ID, IR 151, 4 Pz).

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

1. Deployment of the Belgian Army.

Image

1.1. The position called of the Albert Canal.

Comprised 15 divisions deployed as it follows:

Bridgehead of Antwerp: 17 I D, 13 I D, 12 I D.
Along the canal: 15 I D, 9 I D, 6 I D, 14 I D, 1 I D, 4 I D and 7 I D.
Fortified position of Liege: 3 I D and 2 I D.

On May 10 of 1940, the Belgian’s deployment was the following one:

Great General Head Quarter (Belgian Army): Fort of Breendonck.
V Army Corps (CP Antwerp): 17 I D and 13 I D.
IV Army Corps (CP Lierre): 12 I D and 15 I D.
II Army Corps (CP Aerschot): 9 I D and 6 I D.
Cavalry Corps (CP Saint Trond): 14 I D and 1 I D.
I Army Corps (CP Tongres): 4 I D and 7 I D.
III Army Corps (CP Liege): 3 I D and 2 I D; in addition Reg. Fort. Liege and two Reg. Cy Fr.
VII Army Corps (CP Namur): 2 DCh.A and 8 I D.

The divisions occupy an average front of 10 km; the 7 I D has 19 km because it takes advantage of the Fort Eben Emael; the Meuse river - Albert Canal; cliff of Löen and the deep ditch that goes from Eben Emael to the north of Veldwezelt.

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
image004.jpg
image004.jpg (68.41 KiB) Viewed 5704 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#2

Post by tigre » 12 Jun 2010, 14:59

Hello to all :D; here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

1.2. The bridges on the Albert Canal.

The bridges did not comprised the deployment of the 7 DI but they were guarded by fractions of Border Cyclists of Limburg on orders of Captain Commander Giddeloo who had his CP in Lanaeken.

Image
Dutch cyclists - May 1940.

The bridges could be destroyed by:

In first term the Supreme High Command (G.C.G.) by means of the Advanced Center of Resistance of Hasselt, that relayed the order to Lanaeken.

Secondly term by delegation the Commander of the I Army Corps when he had certainty of the violation of the border between Netherland and Germany.

In third term by Captain Commander Giddeloo when he had certainty of the violation of the border between Belgium and Netherland.

In last term by the local leaders when the works directly were threatened (general rule).

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image004.gif
Belgian deployment between Briedgen and Eben Emael.
image004.gif (147.53 KiB) Viewed 5670 times


daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#3

Post by daveh » 13 Jun 2010, 11:46

smiles..wonderful!..would you be kind enough to state the source the maps come from?
thanks daveh

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#4

Post by tigre » 13 Jun 2010, 14:02

Hello Daveh :D; sure pal; all of them taken from books:

18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#5

Post by tigre » 19 Jun 2010, 15:42

Hello to all :D; here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

2. German deployment for the attack – 09 May of 1940.

2.1. The 269 ID.

On May 05 of 1940 at 20:00 hours communication of the Medical service chief with the Sanitary Service of the division, the FL 269 (Field Hospital) should be settled down in Aachen.

On May 09 of 1940 at 13:36 hours the division received the word code of the XXVII AK. At 20:00 hours the troops were alarmed and the 269 ID began to occupy its readiness positions on May 10 of 1940 at 01:00 hour; At 05:15 hours the preparation should be finalized and it was to cross the border at 05:35 hours.

The first task of the division was to overwhelm the border guard and to break through the defensive positions located 3 kilometers behind the border and with a motorized vanguard to advance quickly to the south of the highway Vaals - Maastricht in order to gain the crossing on the Mosa river at Eysden, therefore reaching the rear of the Fortress of Liege.

The motorized vanguard, under orders of Maj Schiche (Commander of the Pi Btl 269) included the 3. /Pi Btl 269, 2 companies of the IR 490 (reinforced) and a company of the Pz Jäg Abt 269, the spearhead of the detachment was under control of Leutnant Ely. For security tasks towards the Dutch-Belgian border and raids on the tunnels of Teuwen, Homburg and Gemmenich it were counted with the AA 269 and 2 companies of the Grenzwatchregiment 46.

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#6

Post by tigre » 26 Jun 2010, 23:43

Hello to all :D; here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

2. German deployment for the attack – 09 May of 1940.

2.2. The IR 151 and the Pi Btl 51.

On May 09 of 1940 the German Army in the West received the order to march on the borders of the Reich; while the 61 ID within of IV AK marched without contact with the enemy, the IR 151 reinforced with the Pi Btl 51, a heavy anti-aircraft battery (88 mm), a Platoon of Nebel-werfer, a Platoon of the Pz Jäg Abt 161 and the III. /AR 161 had to fulfill a special task: altogether with airborne troops of the Luftwaffe it had to seize the Fort of Eben Emael.

Shortly after the noon of May 09 of 1940, the Pi Btl 51 (Oberstleutnant Mikosch) returned to its quarters after carrying out some field exercises. Nevertheless they did not get the deserved rest but they were alarmed again without the men knew if it were another exercise or something serious. The Commander calmly open the closed envelope which had been given to him and took knowledge of his mission: Together with airborne troops to seize the Fort of Eben Emael. At dusk the battalion marched towards the west from its location on the Wall of the West (Westwall).

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
The "Westwall"........................
http://7grad.org/Exkursionen/Westwall/Karte_westwall.png
image002.jpg (93.25 KiB) Viewed 5614 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#7

Post by tigre » 06 Jul 2010, 05:07

Hello to all :D; here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

2. German deployment for the attack – 09 May of 1940.

2.3. Assault detachment Koch.

On May 09 of 1940, it was received the code word “Rümanien” finally after seven months of preparation the moment has arrived and the unit was put in alert status. First the detachment went towards the aerodromes of Köln-Ostheim and Köln-Butzweilerhof at 15:00 hours following orders of the VIII Air Corps (Code Name of detachment 17. /KG z.b.V 5).

Between 18:00 and 18:30 hours arrived at Köln-Butweilerhof (assault groups “Iron” and “Steel”) 11 Ju-52 and at Köln-Ostheim (assault groups “Steel”, “Cement” and “Granite”) 31 Ju-52 of I./LLG 1 (Luftlande Geschwader). At 21:05 hours behind each airplane the cord is unrolled and hooked to a loaded DFS 230. At 21:30 hours, meeting of the troops, each group met with its glider, last and definitive control of the load.

At 23:10 hours last meeting in the hangar where was the detachment was informed of its missions, each man did his testament adding a closed and sealed envelope "This must be open only in case of certain death". Soon it followed the distribution of the thermus of black coffee and white tablets of “Pervitin” and then the waiting. As support landed in Köln-Ostheim the I./StG 76 of Hauptmann Sigel (Ju-87 B) and in Wahn the II. /ZG 76 of Hauptmann Groth (Me-110). The Jumpmaster of the Detachment Koch was Maj. Reeps.

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#8

Post by tigre » 11 Jul 2010, 00:44

Hello to all :D; here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

2. German deployment for the attack – 09 May of 1940.

2.4. The 4th Pz.

On May 9 of 1940 at 16:45 hours it was received the codeword "Hindenburg" ordering the advance on the border with the Netherlands. The 4 Pz was subordinate to IV AK and its task was to force first the Meuse in Maastricht (initial objective) and then the Albert Canal in Weldvezelt, Kanne and Vroenhoven establishing bridgeheads in those places (ultimate goal). The bridges in Maastricht would be conquered by the battalion for special use (z.v.B) 100 and Hocke Sonderverband added to the division, the bridges over the Albert Canal by the Koch Assault Detachment.

The 4 Pz organized an advance party and three battle groups. The advanced detachment (vorausabteilung) included a company of AA 7, one of the PR 35, one of Pi Btl 79 and 7. / SR 12 with the task of connecting with the paratroopers in Vroenhoven, the Battle Group 1 (under the command of Commander of 5 Pz Brig) was composed of the SR 33 plus the 6. / SR 12 on the right, the Battle Group 2 (the Commander of 4. Sch. Brig) composed of the SR 12 (minus 6. and 7. Company) in the center; Battle Group 3 (Commander of the PR 35) included the PR 35 on the left.

The AR 103 (minus the II. / SR 93) had at the start of the campaign 34 officers, 179 NCOs and 925 soldiers in total 1138 men and supported the move as follows: II. / AR 103 added to battle group right, the II. / SR 93 to the center and the I. / AR 103 left.

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image001.gif
Area of operations assigned to the 4 Pz.
image001.gif (56.09 KiB) Viewed 5531 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#9

Post by tigre » 17 Jul 2010, 16:26

Hello to all :D; here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.1. Airborne assault.

The Belgians.

Shortly after midnight (Belgian time) the III. / 18 of Line received the dreaded warning message which meant the real alarm: RENE, the companies took its positions of combat and communications were established. To the south the Fort Eben Emael shot with its guns as the pre-established code. The night gave way to the first light of dawn.

In the sector stretched between the bridges of Veldwezelt and Vroenhoven (both excluded) it had occupied its defensive positions on a front of 2,800 meters, the III. Battalion of the Line Regiment 18, belonging to the 7 DI (Belgian). The battalion was reinforced with a platoon of machine guns and had five 47 mm cannons and two 76 mm mortars. Out of the 900 men of its manpower it had about only 550 due to leaves and collection of crops, most of its officers were from the reserve including its Commander, Maj. Blondel.

Behind the great barrier of 40 meters wide, through which the water flowed about 20 meters below ground level, the battalion was organized in several strong points. As remarkable features in the southern sector distinguished the urban area of Kesselt and to the North a hill of debris from the canal, then levelled, a square kilometer in size, which dominated the surrounding terrain, the Hees. The 9. Company defended the south and east of Kesselt, the 10. Company covering the north including the Hees and the 11. Company in the middle.

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
The firing's sector of Eben Emael.
Denkschrift über die belgische
image002.jpg (90.89 KiB) Viewed 5505 times
image004.gif
The German offensive...............
image004.gif (157.7 KiB) Viewed 5505 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#10

Post by tigre » 31 Jul 2010, 15:27

Hello to all :D; here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.1. Airborne assault.

Detachment Koch.

The Bridges of Veldwezelt, Vroenhoven and Canne should be destroyed by a pyrotechnic device located in a shelter attached to the bridge. At 1:00 hour (Belgian time) Captain Commander Giddeloo had ordered to the leaders of the bridge’s posts to prepare for its destruction.

Assault group "Steel"

Departure from Butzweilerhoff one glider – from Ostheim nine gliders. Objective Veldwezelt. 3. Schleppstaffel. Troop Leader Oberleutnant Altmann. Drag's Squadron Leader Oberleutnant Nevries.

Assault group "Iron"

From Butzweilerhoff 10 gliders. Objective Canne. 4. Schleppstaffel. Troop Leader Oberleutnant Schächter. Drag's Squadron Leader Oberleutnant Steinweg.

Assault group "Concrete."

From Ostheim 11 gliders. Objective Vroenhoven. 2. Schleppstaffel. Troop Leader Oberleutnant Schacht. Drag's Squadron Leader Leutnant Seda.

Assault group "Granite"

From Ostheim 11 gliders. Objective Eben Emael. 1. Schleppstaffel. Troop Leader Oberleutnant Witzig. Drag's Squadron Leader Oberleutnant Schweitzer.

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
The assaults' teams and its objectives.....................
image002.jpg (53.52 KiB) Viewed 5471 times

Carl Schwamberger
Host - Allied sections
Posts: 10056
Joined: 02 Sep 2006, 21:31
Location: USA

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#11

Post by Carl Schwamberger » 31 Jul 2010, 16:51

Interesting details on this battle. Appreciate your posting them here.

Merci

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#12

Post by tigre » 07 Aug 2010, 16:36

Hello to all :D; thanks Carl. Now, here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.1. Airborne assault.

Detachment Koch. The Bridges.

At 4:00 hours (Belgian time) the attack by gliders was carried out without any noise on Veldwezelt - Hess and Vorenhoven – Kesselt, canceling the delegation’s options of the I Army Corps and Captain Commander Giddeloo, who was killed as a result of simultaneous bombing of the barracks at Lanaeken.

Veldwezelt Bridge

On the bridge Veldwezelt the garrison, consisting of 12 soldiers and a sergeant, was surprised, the steel access of the bunker was blown up with explosives and their occupants annihilated with phosphorus’ grenades and small arms fire, the bridge fell intact. Out the Staff who defended the bridge there was only one wounded survivor who was captured.

Here landed the Group "Steel" under the command of Oberleutnant Altmann at 05:20 hours (German time) who step out first noting that the glider of Oberjäger Ellersiek’s Group landed very close to the bunker.

While Oberjäger Ellersiek threw hand grenades some of his men placed a hollow charge on the door. At 5:35 hours Hauptmann Koch received the following message: Assault Group Steel, Objective taken. Group’s casualties 8 dead, 14 seriously wounded and 16 slightly wounded.

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
http://grensschap.eu/Bibliotheek/Bruggen/BrugVeldwezelt.jpg
image002.jpg (43.52 KiB) Viewed 5432 times
image004.jpg
A glider DFS 230 – Veldwezelt.
image004.jpg (31.84 KiB) Viewed 5432 times
image006.jpg
A German flak of 20 mm mounted on a Sd Kfz 10 near Veldwezelt.
image006.jpg (33.88 KiB) Viewed 5432 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#13

Post by tigre » 14 Aug 2010, 14:39

Hello to all :D; here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.1. Airborne assault.

Detachment Koch. The Bridges.

Vroenhoven Bridge.

In Vroenhoven the surprise was not so large, the chief of post managed to trigger the device but nothing happened ... the explosion did not occur because one of the assailants managed to cut the wick. The weapons of the bunker had its sector of fire in the direction of Maastricht but the attackers coming from the rear; once again the door was blown and the garrison reduced with phosphorus grenade, the bridge also fell intact into the hands of the Germans. The leader of the bunker, a sergeant and a corporal were killed by the detonation of the shaped charge, a sergeant of the gendarmerie and a soldier of the 18 of Line who had taken refuge there, were killed by grenades or projectiles, while the rest were captured with severe burns .

Here landed at 05:15 hours Group Concrete under the command of Leutnant Schacht under heavy antiaircraft fire, the glider of Stolzewski group was hit and fell 15 meters, three men were seriously injured. The glider of Oberjäger Bading landed about 120 meters from the bunker. The Gefreiter Stenzel reached the trench of the fort and throwing hand grenades he rushed in the middle of the bridge’s watch removing the detonators. Losses 7 KIA and 24 WIA.

Here landed with Group Concrete near the Vroenhoven Bridge Dr.Rolf Karl Ernst Jäger and immediately upon landing he began treating wounded Fallschirmjäger. He recovered many wounded men with great risk to himself and in recognition of his feats he was awarded the EK2, EK1 and the Knights Cross. He was presented to Hitler with the other KC winners of Sturmabteilung Koch.

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image001.jpg
Bridge of Vroenhoven.
http://grensschap.eu/Bibliotheek/Bruggen/brug_vroenhoven.jpg
image001.jpg (63.03 KiB) Viewed 5394 times
image002.jpg
Dr. Rolf Karl Ernst Jäger
http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Luftwaffe/J/Ja/Jaeger-Rolf-Dr.jpg
image002.jpg (23.77 KiB) Viewed 5394 times

Carl Schwamberger
Host - Allied sections
Posts: 10056
Joined: 02 Sep 2006, 21:31
Location: USA

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#14

Post by Carl Schwamberger » 16 Aug 2010, 02:02

Appreciate all this information. While I am familar with some of the details and maps, much of it including the photographs is new to me. Thanks.

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: The Albert Canal - May 1940.

#15

Post by tigre » 21 Aug 2010, 22:21

Hello to all :D; thank you again Carl. Now, here goes something more..............

The assault against the position of the Albert Canal - May of 1940.

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.1. Airborne assault.

Detachment Koch. The Bridges.

The Bridge of Canne.

As they approached their goal (Canne), the pilots of the gliders saw several explosions and the Canne Bridge was destroyed. The Commander of Fort Eben Emael had ordered its destruction timely. At about 35 meters above the ground the glider of team No. 3 was set afire by antiaircraft fire and six soldiers jumped in a free fall. The rest landed in the middle of the Belgian positions and engaged in close combat with hand grenades and machine guns.

Leutnant Martin Schächter who stormed the enemy trenches leading his men, was wounded and fell, but got up and continued until he received a second shot in his head and fell to the ground. Leutnant Joachim Meissner took command. At 05:50 hours was sent the message which said objective achieved. Bridge destroyed by the enemy. Passable with engineering support.

At 20:00 hours heavy artillery fire on the bridge’s area. At 23:30 hours was established the liason with elements of Pi Btl 51 and IR 151. Casualties: 22 killed in action and 26 wounded. However, the Belgian II. / Gr 2 still held its positions supported by the 20th of Artillery (Hunters of the Ardennes).

Sources: Private Sales List-Art Rgt 103 - Belgium, France_archivos. Viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009, 9:17:19
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /AR103.htm
Bélgica durante la SGM. El Canal Alberto 10 y 11 de Mayo de 1940. http://www.10may1940.org/forumeng/index.php
18 Días de Guerra en Bélgica. TGrl Oscar Michiels. Círculo Militar.
Deutschen Fallschirmjäger im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Volkmar Kühn.
http://home.tiscali.nl/grensschap/Oorlog/wo_ii.htm
Fortissimi sunt Belgae. Lieutenant Col Marcel A. Ronge.
Aus der Geschichte Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (SR 12). Oskar Schaub.
Bildert über den Einsatz und Marschweg des I. Friesen Bataillons in Holland, Belgien und Frankreich.
Geschichte der 269 Infanterie Division. Helmut Römhild.
Eijsden, dorp onder vuur. Frans Roebroeks. Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg.
Belgium. The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image001.jpg
The bridge at Canne before being blown up.
image001.jpg (67.49 KiB) Viewed 5335 times

Post Reply

Return to “WW2 in Western Europe & the Atlantic”