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Extraneous -> RE: OT - WWII quiz (4/18/2012 1:26:06 PM)
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Just because they landed in gliders doesn't change the fact they were paratroops.
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Research Battalion (German: Versuchsabteilung) Friedrichshafen was formed at Hildesheim on November 2, 1939 from elements of the 1st Company of I./Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1 and the Engineer Platoon (German: Pioneer-Zug) of II./Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1, but was soon renamed after its commander, Hauptman Walter Koch, as Assault Battalion (German: Sturmabteilung) Koch. It was intended to open the way into Central Belgium by capturing the formidable modern Fort Eben-Emael defending the Albert Canal as well three bridges over the Canal. The DFS 230 gliders of 17./KGr z.b.V. 5 were to be used to allow the assault groups to silently land virtually on top of their objectives, hopefully surprising the defenders and preventing them from either destroying the bridge or interfering with the German attack.
The commander of the unit was Hauptmann (Captain) Walter Koch who was promoted to Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) for his part in the battle.
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Oberstleutnant Koch publicly denounced Hitler's order that all captured enemy commandos were to be executed. And he died a year later mysteriously of injuries suffered in an automobile accident.
The battle had four objectives
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Hauptmann Koch divided his force into four assault groups.
Group Granite, under Oberleutnant Rudolf Witzig, composed of eighty-five men in eleven gliders whose task would be to assault and capture Fort Eben Emael.
Group Steel, commanded by Oberleutnant Gustav Altmann, and formed of ninety-two men and nine gliders, would capture the Veldwezelt bridge.
Group Concrete, commanded by Leutnant Gerhard Schacht and composed of ninety-six men in eleven gliders, would capture the Vroenhoven bridge.
Group Iron, under Leutnant Martin Schächter, composed of ninety men in ten gliders, who would capture the Cannes bridge.
Group Granite's objective was not to capture the fort.
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Group Granite's objective was to eliminate within sixty minutes as many anti-aircraft positions and individual cupolas and casemates as was possible, and at all costs to put out of action the six 120mm long-range artillery pieces which covered the three bridges.
Group Granite was relived by the 51st Engineer Battalion at 07:00 May 11, 1940. Then the engineers with a infantry regiment launched an attack on the main entrance to the fort. Which caused the defenders to surrender at 12:00.
[:D] I liked the part that they moved the gliders in furniture vans for secrecy. And used barbedwire on the gliders skids to reduce the landing speed. [:D]
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