Footsteps of WWII · Belgium & Luxembourg

Fort Eben-Emael

Fortification · 10–11 May 1940

The story

Built in 1931–35 above the Caestert cutting of the Albert Canal, Eben-Emael was the largest fort of the Fortified Position of Liège, armed with 120 mm, 75 mm and 60 mm guns in turrets and casemates and linked by over 4 km of galleries. At dawn on 10 May 1940 Assault Group Granit of Sturmabteilung Koch, 85 men in 11 DFS 230 gliders, set out for its roof. Nine landed; Oberleutnant Rudolf Witzig's tow rope snapped, so Oberfeldwebel Helmut Wenzel took charge. Shaped charges and a flamethrower knocked out guns and cupolas while other groups seized the Veldwezelt and Vroenhoven bridges. The garrison surrendered at 12:30 on 11 May; Belgian losses were 23 killed and 59 wounded, Granit's 6 killed.

What to look for

The fort is still Belgian Army property. Inside are the underground barracks, a museum, a 180° film of the attack and long, cold galleries. Above ground you can walk the grassed roof between the blocks, see casemates and cupolas holed by German charges, and look down into the canal cutting.

Plan your visit

Open mid-February to early January on set days, usually Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00, last entry 15:00; check the opening calendar. Guided tours of a combat bunker are best booked online. Galleries stay at 11 °C and involve many stairs; bunkers are not wheelchair accessible.

Nearby sites

• Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten · 10 km
• Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery · 19 km
• December 44 Historical Museum, La Gleize · 45 km
• Museum Hürtgenwald 1944, Vossenack · 51 km
• Baugnez: Malmedy massacre memorial · 52 km
• St Vith · 67 km

All 160 sites in Footsteps of WWII →