I think a lot of people often overlook just how important this operation was for Germany, and how devastating it was for the allies when the operation was successful. This fortress was a huge road block for German forces attempting to go around the Maginot line and invade France
People tend to write off the Maginot line as a complete waste of resources, however from a strategic standpoint it did its job. The goal of the Maginot line was not to have the enemy focus their attack here, rather the maginot line’s goal was to use to take advantage of the hilly mountainous terrain and deter the Germans from attacking through this reigion, as it would be too difficult for the French to garrison effectively with troops alone. This would then force Germany to attack through the Belgium, but the French predicted that Germany would do this in response to the Maginot line, and put their best and most experienced units in the French Army in Belgium in order to meet the opposing German army that they were anticipating. The real failure of the French army came from their lack of properly developed communication lines, and thus were not able to communicate in between fronts quickly if the Germans attack plan were to suddenly change. This lack of adequate communication lines for rapid communication of information between different fronts during the attack would come back to haunt the when German Panzer divisions broke through the Ardennes and began spearheading a massive push towards the coast to cut off the majority of the French units fighting in Belgium. Embarrassingly, the French could have very easily cut off this panzer spear head and crushed it with the number of tanks that they had available, however without the ability to rapidly communicate between fronts, paired with the French high commands passiveness when it came to using their tanks offensively, The units in Belgium were cut off by this panzer spear head and were then encircled. The French had the tanks and anti tank capabilities to stop this spear head but the much like the Germans the French army had gambled with how they used their tanks, and most of their armored units were busy being used as static artillery support for the infantry in Belgium when the tanks they had were better suited for countering German armour.
I have seen this afernoon Fort Eben Emael, and I have to say that technically (air defense apart) was incredible and perfect. It was calculated everything. Really good experience to have visited Fort Eben Emael inside
1:55 AM 11/15/2020 Theres alot of movies I should watch. I noticed Hollywood started making movies about people or places. This would be a good WW2 movie not cheap budget.
For a start, Germany was never alone or fighting the World alone. Also it was Germany who broke the Munich Treaty and attacked Czech & Poland, Knowing Britain & France would declare war, The British told Hitler to withdraw his armies from Poland or face war, Hitler made his gamble and wanted war. The Soviets attacked Poland two weeks after Germany to keep to their Pact & Alliance with Germany. Why would the Allies declare war on the Soviet also?That would unite their two biggest enemies & fears.
I wonder why France did not dig the canal a few kilometers wide linking valley of the Rhein nearby Swiss border to the coast of the north sea . Properly dug and gradually lowering towards the sea could be filled up with water from Rhein could act as french equivalent of english channel . The soil from the canal could be used to lay man-made hills on the french side
All too true, people forget but Belgium did not just surrender. They were constantly pushed back due to the vast amount of German soldiers, but didn't give up. In World War I belgian soldiers held their line long enough to be reinforced by British and French soldiers.
@somethingboring In those days, there was no language border. The poor people in flanders spoke Dutch dialects and the poor Walloons spoke French dialects. Rich people in the entire country were francophone, even the flemish. It is thus very much possible that those poor flemish soldiers were commanded by flemish officers (who were francophone). You can't just blame all french-speaking Belgians of today for that. Most of their ancestors were also poor people who had to fight for their country.
@somethingboring This is not true. The Belgian regiments were all uno-lingual since the 1930's. The use of french by some officers was not the reason of the defeat. All dutchspeaking units had dutchspeaking officers.
The debate was about WW2 without Britain. Without Britain - USSR would collapse during Operations Barbarossa, Case-Blue and German, Italian forces would be involved in the Pacific to help their Japanese Allies and most of all superior German technology and equipment. WW2 would be a Axis Victory or at best stalemate. Also the Battle of Stalingrad was over 1943 and NO Allied forces were in mainland Europe they were fighting in the Tunisia Campaign.
@martynrobin121 I absolutely agree. One must however not forget that Hitler did think outside the box and that he did take great risk. His aggression and megalomanic thinking were successful at the beginning. His mistake though was to think that he solemnly was responsible for these successes and this made him over selfconfident. Then he started thinking outside the box even more, e.g. we can beat the Soviet Union in 8 weeks xD which as we all know went terribly wrong... Best wishes, MKWB Sezai
@somethingboring I'm sorry, but that's no completely correct. To start with, in years before ww2, Belgian regiments became either purely francophone or Dutch-speaking. What you are saying applies only to WW1 and even then it is not entirely true. It is true that the flemish soldiers were commanded by french-speaking officers, but I'm not sure that these officers were from Wallonia. (to be continued in next post)
@somethingboring Ive been there a day ago for 5 days, and as fai i know/heard, the French speaking ppl there REALY know how to speak Flemish, just way toooooo boreddumb to speak out, i mean: they know how to speak,but too proud they can speak French.
Without Britain = USSR would collapse during Operations Barbarossa, Case-Blue. Germany, Italy declared war on the USA 1941 to support their Japanese Allies. Both Germany, Italy had access to Japanese bases and without a war to fight against Britain or Russia = European Axis forces would be sent to Asia and the Pacific. Japanese conquered US colonies like the Phillpines, Guam,etc the European Axis-Powers would help defend the conquered territory and Japanese would go on the offensive
@MKWBSezai Skorzeny, who freed Mussolini, took the Burgberg and "Mickey" Horthy, and had US units paranoid looking for Nazis in American uniforms during the Bulge, writes in detail in his memoirs of Hitler's capability as a military leader -and planner. While I don't believe any true "geniuses" exist in this field, Skorzeny's assessment of Hitler is quite different than yours. But you need to read Skorzeny: "Meine Kommandounternehmen". Moscow 1941, Stalingrad, etc- all in the book.
I dont care who was in charge. Eben Emael was German. Wermacht vs Fallshirmjagers? This was the birth of a "STYLE OF COMBAT" that came out later on. Germany was the first to use Glider Infantry which were paratroopers. No big deal but look how successful this was. Why Eben Emael? Look at the map on where its located. And what is the elevation of land around that area? I dont know about the elevation and vegitation and water but look at the map.
Germany had their Allies the Soviet Union during the invasion of Poland 1939. Germany had their Allies the Italian Empire during the invasion of France 1940 also helped from their Soviet Allies and other European nations. They were the European Axis-Powers not just Germany!
This is kinda funny watching this, talking about WW1. What was going on in the usa at this time? Germany just wont let it go. I would rather live in Europe than usa during this time period.
What on earth are you talking about? Without Britain = USSR would collapse alone. Then European Axis forces mainly German and Italian would be sent to the Pacific to help their Japanese Allies. The USA would ne unable to defeat Japan or liberate their lost colonies. The USA would be forced into terms! You said ~> "Germany would still not have the mean to take over the US" = The Axis not just Germany would not need to invade or take over the USA.
Nazi-Germany and the USSR were temporary Allies. Stalin wanted the Baltic States and Eastern Poland. Also Romania was Allies of Germany - Stalin did not invade Romania till much later in the war. Stalin wanted territory and time, Hitler wanted territory and to avoid a war on two fronts. You said ~> "what wierd logic is that" = Its called national interests and the fact is if a tyrant wants something he will take it.
And it's obviously the fault of all the walloons if they don't learn dutch, not their government... And it's not our fault again if you are forced to learn french... I can assure you the Flemish government is independant enough to chose if students must learn a language or another... Nobody tell them what to do ! Instead of following "It's the Walloon's fault !", think who's responsible now and doesn't change anything !
Maybe you should have paid more attention in history classes. The Belgian army did all they could to stop the Germans but were outnumbered and outgunned. The fact you claim the Walloons resisted and the Flemish collaborated shows that you know fuck all and are doing nothing more than bashing the Flemish. Flemish soldiers died in the mud while your French-talking officers held back and sat in their safe spots. As for your 'as usual' comment: Rex, that is all.
lol hwo knows the true...? the fort was "made" by germans civilians..ingeneers and after soldiers play football ON the fort..so no mines sieeng by the germans..LOL deutshland!
