A monument being constructed in honor of Fallschirmjager (German paratroopers), circa 1941
May 10, 1940, Eben Emael, a Belgian fortress, was attacked by just 78 Fallschirmjager troops. They landed precisely on the roof of the large fortress in total surprise & were equipped w/ light weapons & explosive charges. Germans overtook a thousand Belgian soldiers & were able to confine the defenders to their fortified bunkers.
A day later, when paratroopers were joined by ground forces, the hundreds of remaining Belgian defenders inside the fortress surrendered. German losses were only six dead & twenty wounded.
Germans were the first to use paratroopers in battle & this particular mission being only their second deployment, remains one of the most daring raids in history.
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