The Albert Canal - May 1940.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; 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.

Assault to Eben Emael.

On May 10, 1940 at 02:45 hours the DFS 230 gliders were ready for action. The load had been calculated at the milligram, and for example the glider No. 4 under the Champion gliding, Uffz Bräutigam, carrying the assault group of Feldwebel Wenzel, the Ogefr Polzin and five other engineers was loaded with five rifles, a machine gun, a sub-machinegun, two 50 kg shaped charges, two explosive charges of 12.5 kgs, a signal pistol, a remote explosive charge 10 explosives charges of 3 kg, plus engineers’ tools. In total 2401 kgs of explosives and 30,000 bullets would be transported. Besides hand grenades, flame throwers, assault ladders and radios.

For months the life unfolded in a monotone way at the fort. Eben Emael dominated as the northernmost stronghold of Liège, the Albert Canal and its bridges (Vroenhoven, Veldwezelt and Canne), the Meuse River and the Canal Stich towards Maastricht. But on May 10 1940 at 03:10 hours it received the codeword giving the alarm. The Mayor Jotrand ordered to cover all the combat stations and fired the guns as had been agreed in order to alert the Belgian troops deployed along the Albert Canal.

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 .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; 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.

Assault to Eben Emael.

The takeoff of the Group "Granite" was smooth, but once in the air the pilots must perform daring maneuvers to maintain the stability of the gliders. Soldiers had nausea and queasiness and maybe in one of those twists and turns came off the glider of the group’s leader (Witzig). From Cologne to Aachen, the route was marked every 20 kilomtres by reflectors, on that city the gliders were released.

At position 29 (Southeast) the Belgian gunners scanned the sky in the dark; suddenly it was sighted a rare airplane and when they want to react it's too late. The DFS 230 piloted by Uffz Lange had landed on them, and one of its wing had dragged a machinegun: The hatch was open, jumping out the squad No. 5 of Fw Haug with a task in mind, "to destroy the work 29." Once conquered, Haug shouted to work 23. The Belgians were confident inside, they were so often repeated that the shell and cement of their position were very difficult to crack. But the Belgians were unaware of the effect of "shaped charges" of 50 kg that were transported in two separate parts and were assembled in a half sphere capable of drilling 25 cm, two of them and it was over.

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 .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; 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.

Assault to Eben Emael.

Work 19, here fought the assault detachment No. 4 of Feldwebel Wenzel. (Wenzel recalled) we landed about 30 meters from the bunker, shortly before landing I blew up the hatch. I was sitting with my machine gun and a charge of 1 kg in my hands. On landing the Braking was so violent that the glider was almost over its nose and I gave my face hard against the Bräutigam’s seat and started bleeding but it was not time to walk with contemplations and jumped over the pilot shouting out! Out!.

The attackers made their way towards their goal and the Belgians were destroyed (Wenzel recalled) I got to the top of the bunker and threw it through the opening of the periscope a charge of 1 kg, down there was silence after the explosion. My two companions arrived and we put the charge of 50 kg, and we ran to hide behind a wall. I counted 21 to 27 but nothing happened, I asked if they had pulled the pin and they quickly answered yes, soon a lightning and a thick mushroom cloud.

Back to the cupola but it was not destroyed, then we placed a charge of 12.5 kg under the barrel, another explosion and it was opened a hole in the wall but not big another charge of 50 kgs and the gap was big enough to enter inside. Thick smoke and no movement, suddenly the phone rang, and I picked up the headset and listened up words in French, a language I could not understood, so I said "here are the Germans" and the response was “Oh mon Dieu” (oh My God) then I tore the phone. On the other side of the line had been the commander of the fortress.

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 .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; 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.

Assault to Eben Emael (last part).

Detachments No. 6 and No. 7 went to work 15 and 16 but the men of Uffz Harlos and Heinemann were deceived because they were only tin models.

The work 25 was an old housing barrack, but still offered more resistance than the armored domes and there fell the first attackers. About 10 minutes after landing and 10 works have already been captured or destroyed.

Major Jotrand tried to guess what was the power of the enemy, he assumed that can not be many but never crossed his mind that are only 70 (two gliders did not achieve the objective), he asked the other forts shot on Eben Emael and reinforcements to counterattack. The assailants must now defend itself from enemy fire and took refuge in the fortifications partially destroyed.

At 08:30 hours a lonely glider floats over and lands on Eben Emael, it was the Witzig’s glider, he had got another Ju-52 and finally reached the fort. The men of Uffz Brendenbeck (Detachment No. 2) came later but were unable to land close by hostile fire.

Wenzel recalled: A group which had not been able to land came on foot from the direction of Düren, I was at the top of the fortress and could not distinguish the uniform, my gunner asked me: shall I shoot?. But I took his hand and said: if the boy is so brave let him approach... and he out to be our sapper Meier.

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 .

[tigre]

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

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The advance of the 269 ID.

On May 10, 1940 at 05:35 hours the first shots rang out and the Leutnant Ely’s men crossed the border; at 05:45 hours got across the last vehicle of the advance guard having as its objective of vital importance, the bridge at Mechelen (a little town located south of Gulpen).

In Lemers it was received a directive stating that the great road Vaals - Maastricht should be cleared for the armored divisions. The Command of the division marched forward with good pace and met enemy resistance at Viljen, to the north west exit of the village stood a large barricade, fortunately it was not mined and could be bypassed.

Maj. Schiche was given the task of recognizing the road from Mechelen (by Heienrade) to Peznaken; the head of the bulk reached the church at Mechelen but where the spearhead was?. In fact it was before Reimerstock, there while trying to clear a barricade of logs, fell the brave Leutnant Ely, who had been proposed that morning at 07:00 hours to be awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class.

The area of operations: http://maps.google.com.ar/maps?f=q&sour ... 09491&z=11

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 .

[tigre]

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

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The Advance of the 4 Pz.

The 7. / SR 12 as part of the vanguard crossed the border on May 10, 1940 at 02:00 hours and moved to Maastricht dodging primitive roadblocks. About 10 kilometers before the city it was diverted due south by the blowing of the bridge over the stream Gulp. Without resistance reached the south of Maastricht, where the bridges over the Meuse and the Liege Canal already had been destroyed at 06:00 hours.

At 07:15 hours the SR 12 (less its 6. and 7. Coys) crossed the northern edge of Aachen, at 08:00 hours by Horsbach, which was the last German town, crossing the border at 08:20 hours in the direction to Maastricht, where the bridges over the Meuse were blown up into the sky by the Dutch defenders hindering the progress forward.

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 .

[tigre]

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

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The nearby bridges in Maastricht... ... ... ... ...

The ancient city of Maastricht with its Roman roots, located on the southern tip of the appendix of the Dutch Limburg, see plenty of action at the beginning of the campaign in the West. Its main bridges over the Meuse within the city itself (St. Servaesbrug, Wilhelminabrug and the railway bridge to the north), were vital goals for the German advance. There it would be projected into Belgium, among others units, the powerful 4 Pz with its 343 armored vehicles.

The Germans knew exactly everything about the Dutch deployment in the bridges, their instructions in this regard, security measures and placement of explosive charges to demolish them through the fifth column.

The task of taking them intact went to two units specifically organized for this: the Sonderverband Hocke (Hocke Special Unit) and the Bataillon zum Besonderen Verwendung 100 (battalion for special purposes) which had some elements of armored vehicles and antiaircraft artillery. These formations were to reach quickly and assure the bridges. About 750 Dutch troops defending these objectives. About 200 were assigned in the border-area with Belgium. Two companies [300 men] formed the outer-defences of the city. In order to be certain that the city was sealed off from an instant invasion a second line was formed by a mere 100 men. The rest of the troops - about one company - had a permanent post on the west bank of the Maas and at the three bridges.

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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The nearby bridges in Maastricht... ... ... ...

May 10 of 1940.

Already at 03:30 hours failed a sabotage attempt (removal of the explosive charges) against the Wilhelmina bridge made by a special group composed of one German and six Dutch collaborators. Shortly after at the locks of Borgharen complex, located north of the city was halted a mobile patrol of six men belonging to Sonderverband Hocke. Soon arrived two groups of infantry (most in bikes) and the fight with the Dutch Platoon which was defending there quickly spread.

Meanwhile the Btl zBv 100 after suffering some delays by roadblocks, could achieve the progress by Roten north of Maastricht and appeared before the outer defenses in Mariënwaard. There, the Platoon which defended the section, had not block the barricade and its anti-tank weapon was not located at the proper position hence was easily taken.

The bulk of the 4 Pz after overcoming some delays in the stream of Gulpen appeared before Heugem at 05:45 hours. While the Btl zBv 100’s vehicles sped toward the city, in Akerstraat, near the station were halted by the fire of two antitank guns. The defensive fire crippled two (probably three) light armored vehicles whose remains blocked the advance of the rest of the column.

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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The nearby bridges in Maastricht... ... ... ...

May 10 of 1940.

The beautiful and old bridge of St. Servatius was blown up at 06:00 hours and 15 minutes afterwards the bridge of Wilhelmina was demolished. There remained only the railway bridge and over there went the Sonderverband Hocke. Only about 35 Dutch soldiers were defending it.

The Germans were engaged by the fire, the defenders retreated to the west bank and closed the iron gates blocking the way to the bridge. The assailants, led by Leutnant Hocke climbed the gates and proceeded forwards but at that time the burning fuses reached the explosive charges and at 6:20 hours the bridge blew up dragging the brave German soldiers to the death, including Hocke.

Around the remnants of the bridges the fighting intensified with heavy losses on both sides. At 07:45 hours three Panzerspähwagen Btl zBv 100 reiforced what was left of Sonderverband Hocke and the situation became difficult for the Dutch light infantry. Soon came the order to cease all resistance in Maastricht (at 07:00 hours there had been a meeting between the Germans and the Dutch Limburg Force Commander, Leutnant Colonel Govers). At 09:30 hours all the Dutch troops in the vicinity of Maastricht had capitulated.

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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The advance of the 269 ID.... ... ... ...

May 10 of 1940.

Now Maj. Schiche was to break towards Eysden at full speed. This objective was reached at 09:37 hours, hence the vanguard of the division was at the river Meuse.

The Aufkl. Abt reported that it was assuring the ordered area; the division had achieved great success occupying key terrain along the line St. Geerdtruid - Mesch - Grafenvuren. South of Banholt two battalions as protection force retained the heights north of the line Mesch - Grafenvuren - St-Martin a front of nearly 12 kilometers. The I. / IR 489 (Maj v. Wangenheim) was given the task of quickly reaching Eysden and cross the Meuse River together with the advance guard. The II. / AR 59 went into position near Banholt.

While the battalions II. and III. / IR 489 were deployed facing south between Eysden and the region due north of Fouron-St-Martin, to protect the left flank of the 269 ID. Around 10:00 hours the men of the II. / IR 489 were spotted by Belgian observers belonging to the Fort of Neufchâteau and deployed at key points located on dominant ground (called OPs). At 10:42 hours Fouron-St-Martin (OP 363) was occupied by German troops.

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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; while the 4 Pz..............

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The advance of the 4 Pz... ... ... ...

May 10 of 1940. Bridgehead of Vroenhoven.

Going through the remnants of the already demolished bridges and dinghies, the 7. / SR 12 crossed the Meuse by Maastricht while the rest of the detachment stayed at the first bank (Eastern) of the river. At the bridge over the Albert Canal, the company got machine gun fire from the second bank (western) of it.

At 09:00 hours the Leader (in charge) of the 7./SR 12 got in contact with the paratroopers, who had impeded the destruction of that significant bridge. The Belgian reaction was intense with machine gun fire and artillery. At 13:00 the paratroopers were relieved and marched to the West, the 7. Company took over the security of the bridgehead. At 09:30 hours, the forward observers went ahead, crossing the river in rubber boats along with the leading rifle companies and around 13:00 hours, a battery of the II. / AR 103 opened fire in support of the airborne troops fighting in the bridgehead over the Albert Canal in 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.
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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The advance of the 269 ID... ... ... ...

May 10 of 1940.

The Divisional CP was located in the church of St.Geertruid, an important target for the artillery of the Belgian fortresses.

In the Meuse River, the bridge was blown up at 06:00 hours and the last Dutch troops retreated in dinghies to the Belgian side. An enemy machine gun opened fire on the German soldiers but was silenced by the fire of an antiaircraft gun. Move ahead!, Go! Go! Elements belonging to the 1. and 10. / IR 490 reached the river bank bringing the assault boats with them. The Meuse river had here a width of 150 meters and a strong current, across the river the German found the Belgian town of Lanaye (Ter Naaien in Dutch) and behind it an imposing massif, in the middle the Albert Canal.

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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The advance of the 4 Pz... ... ... ...

May 10 of 1940.

The 6./SR 12 as part of the SR 33 reached Maastricht at 09:00 hours, the PR 35 took over the security while the SR 33 and the Btl zvB 100 were crossing in rubber dinghies, the SR 33 had the task of establishing contact with airborne troops who had taken the bridge at Veltwezelt. Without Infantry opposition but under heavy artillery and heavy weapons fire it was reached the bridge in Veltwezelt and the paratroopers were relieved.

At 11:00 hours the Pi Platoon of the Regiment (SR 12) was attached to an engineers company and went to Maastricht and at 14:00 hours were operating a 4-ton raft to cross heavy weapons and wheeled vehicles, while the SR 12 was halted in Wijk and there was surpassed by the SR 33 and Mikosch Fighting Group (Pi Btl 51).

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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The advance of the 269 ID... ... ... ...

May 10 of 1940.

At 11:15 hours the first group of assault, led by Leutnant Franz launched itself from its starting position and quickly crossed the Meuse, then moved with little Resistance to Lanaye and at 12:05 hours had reached the bank of the canal; the bridge had been blown. The division ordered to establish a bridgehead. At 13:25 hours arrived an Army Corps order which stated the liaison with paratroopers which were fighting hard at Fort Eben Emael.

Since 12:25 hours heavy fire from Fort Pontisse fell on the Meuse river and the crossing points; there were casualties. Oberleutnant Messerer reconnoitered other crossing points but all were spotted by the enemy. The division recognized that the fast crossing of the channel was not possible, the crossing of this obstacle must be methodically planned for May 11, 1940.

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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............

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

3. Fall Gelb - May 1940.

3.2. The advance of the 4 Pz... ... ... ...

May 10 of 1940.

At 14:00 the SR 33 got across the Meuse. At 17:00 the other regiment (SR 12) reached the river bank and began shipping in dinghies at 18:30 hours; at 20:00 hours the SR 12 moved to Wilre advancing on foot, in buses requisitioned and bicycle, getting across the border between Belgium and the Netherlands along the road Maastricht - Tongern, with the I / SR 12 to the right and the II. / SR 12 to the left.

The SR 12's mission was: with one battalion to reinforce the bridgehead established in Vroenhoven and with the other battalion to secure the south flank. At 22:00 hours the I / SR 12 entered the Vroenhoven bridgehead while the II. / SR 12 assured the banks of the canal to the south of the route Maastricht - Tongern. The 7./SR 12 which had advanced as part of the vanguard rejoined the regiment and was attached to the I. Battalion.

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.
http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=maastricht

Cheers. Raúl M .