Eben Emael

historical fort, Belgium

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

The fortress of Eben Emael was a key Belgian fortification neutralized by an audacious German airborne assault on May 10, 1940, during the Battle of Belgium. Elite German paratroopers, arriving by glider and parachute, systematically destroyed the fort's defenses. This allowed German forces to cross the Albert Canal and advance into Belgium, opening the path to Liège. The details of this operation were kept secret by the Germans, leading Allied strategists to initially suspect treachery. The fall of Eben Emael was a crucial early success for Germany in the invasion of Belgium and France during World War II.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

World War II
The invasion of the Low Countries and France
…from Germany, the fortress of Eben Emael, immediately opposite Maastricht, and the line of the Albert Canal constituted the Belgians’ foremost defensive position. On May 10 German airborne troops landed in gliders on the top of the fortress and on bridges over the canal. On May 11 the Belgian front…
Read More
…from Germany, the fortress of Eben Emael, immediately opposite Maastricht, and the line of the Albert Canal constituted the Belgians’ foremost defensive position. On May 10 German airborne troops landed in gliders on the top of the fortress and on bridges over the canal. On May 11 the Belgian front…
Read More