Post by Diarist on Sept 20, 2016 10:46:20 GMT 1
Brigadier Raoul van Oberstraeten arrived at 08:30 with a car and driver. He had instructions to show us Fort Eben Emael which had recently been completed. I asked if we could go to Liège first because Madame has to buy some boots. We changed some French francs into Belgian francs at the first bank we saw then 30 minutes later we were ready to visit the fort. It is 8 miles north of Liège near to the Dutch border and a few miles south of Maastricht. We were given a half-hour tour, shown the dining facility, the medical section and a few of the guns. We were led to the 'roof' of the fort, i.e. outside. I judged it be about 500 yards wide (E-W axis) and 1000 yards long (N-S). More a triangle than a square. To be honest I wasn't impressed. There are dozen turrets with about 20 medium guns. A light cruiser has more firepower. How they imagine that this could stop a German advance on Liège I have no idea. I kept my mouth shut.
"Do you have any other units protecting the fort, General? In the surrounding area. It appears a little vulnerable."
"I don't understand your question."
"Are there other units protecting the approaches to the fort?"
"There are several nearby units which are earmarked as reinforcements."
"But no fixed emplacements or pill-boxes?"
"No."
"I've seen enough here. I noticed a small tavern in the village. Let me buy you lunch, your driver too."
After we had ordered lunch I said, "I've been told you have studied the works of Fuller and de Gaulle. Mobile warfare to break the stalemate of trench-warfare."
"That is correct."
"So, mon Général. Using this new doctrine how would you take this fort if you were the commander of an attacking German force?"
"It's a formidable fort. I would surround it, bring up heavy guns then find a weak spot..."
"Sorry to interrupt you but it appears you have travelled back in time to 1914. How would you capture it 25 years later in 1939? The fort has to be neutralized as quickly as possible because as a German commander you need to capture Liège in order to advance to Brussels but the fort's guns can destroy your advancing columns. You don't have a few days time."
"I don't believe that is possible, major."
"If I told you that with a company of troops I could silence that fort in 10-15 minutes then hold out for 2-3 days until relieving forces arrived would you like to know how?"
"I would but I still don't believe it is possible."
"How good is your English and have you heard of TRADOC, Training and Doctrine Command?"
"My English is good and yes, I have heard of it."
"I'm going to get you assigned there for a while. John Fuller and Charles de Gaulle are assigned there too. How does that sound?"
"Wonderful. Where do I sign? You are serious about the fort, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"After lunch let's go back to Brussels. Do you know where Paul van Zeeland's office is? That's where we need to go followed by the Ministry of Defence. I'm asking your driver."
"I know the way the way, Sir."
"At least one of us has a plan."
"This conservation didn't happen. Understood, sergeant?"
"Understood, Sir."
"Do you have any other units protecting the fort, General? In the surrounding area. It appears a little vulnerable."
"I don't understand your question."
"Are there other units protecting the approaches to the fort?"
"There are several nearby units which are earmarked as reinforcements."
"But no fixed emplacements or pill-boxes?"
"No."
"I've seen enough here. I noticed a small tavern in the village. Let me buy you lunch, your driver too."
After we had ordered lunch I said, "I've been told you have studied the works of Fuller and de Gaulle. Mobile warfare to break the stalemate of trench-warfare."
"That is correct."
"So, mon Général. Using this new doctrine how would you take this fort if you were the commander of an attacking German force?"
"It's a formidable fort. I would surround it, bring up heavy guns then find a weak spot..."
"Sorry to interrupt you but it appears you have travelled back in time to 1914. How would you capture it 25 years later in 1939? The fort has to be neutralized as quickly as possible because as a German commander you need to capture Liège in order to advance to Brussels but the fort's guns can destroy your advancing columns. You don't have a few days time."
"I don't believe that is possible, major."
"If I told you that with a company of troops I could silence that fort in 10-15 minutes then hold out for 2-3 days until relieving forces arrived would you like to know how?"
"I would but I still don't believe it is possible."
"How good is your English and have you heard of TRADOC, Training and Doctrine Command?"
"My English is good and yes, I have heard of it."
"I'm going to get you assigned there for a while. John Fuller and Charles de Gaulle are assigned there too. How does that sound?"
"Wonderful. Where do I sign? You are serious about the fort, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"After lunch let's go back to Brussels. Do you know where Paul van Zeeland's office is? That's where we need to go followed by the Ministry of Defence. I'm asking your driver."
"I know the way the way, Sir."
"At least one of us has a plan."
"This conservation didn't happen. Understood, sergeant?"
"Understood, Sir."