located near the Belgian village of Eben-Emael, just south of Maastricht, is a former Belgian military fortification that was part of the outer eastern fortress belt around Liège, built in the Interbellum. This uniquely located and excellently armed barracks, with 17 underground bunkers connected to each other, was considered to be impenetrable at the time.

Fort Eben-Emael was, as an important link in the fortress belt around Liège and the Belgian pre-defence, part of the Belgian defense against a military threat from the East, in addition to the KW position and the Defense line of Antwerp.

Practice showed that the high Belgian expectations of the fortress were unjustified. On May 10, 1940, 86 well-trained German Fallschirmjäger managed by surprise, speed and innovative military techniques (use of gliders and application of a new weapon: the shaped charge) to land in a "blind spot" (namely on top of the fortress). and take out the fort's guns in fifteen minutes. After a siege of one and a half days, the fortress (1200 men) had to capitulate.

The attack on Fort Eben-Emael gave the go-ahead for the Eighteen Day Campaign and, more broadly, the Battle of France (called Fall Gelb and Fall Rot from the German side). On June 22, 1940, after barely 6 weeks of fighting, this led to the capitulation of France. In military literature one speaks of The May Days of 1940.

Source: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Eben-Emael

Translated by Google •

Gert | Pellin - Unleash The Biker

April 2, 2021

This bunker is located near the entrance of the Fort. These kinds of small bunkers can be found everywhere in the vicinity.

Translated by Google •

Andrego

August 13, 2021

You can visit the inside of the fortress. Or choose to have a drink and a snack on the terrace across the street

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 80 m

Weather

Friday 26 December

2°C

-3°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Bassenge, Liège, Liège, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Maas River Cycle Path (Lanaye – Nivelle – Lieze)

Mergelweg Cycle Path

Albert Canal at Cannerberg

Smokkelmolen

Mergelsteinhöhle

Jeker River at Molen Nekum

Bridge Over the Albert Canal at Kanne

View of the Albertkanaal

Turret 120, Fort Eben-Emael

Block 01 Viewpoint, Fort Eben-Emael

Rue du Ciel

Block II – Fort Eben-Emael

Fort Eben-Emael

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️