Fort Eben-Emael - Artillery Casemate Visé 2

This artillery casemate of Fort Eben-Emael and was armed with three 75mm guns.

In the attack on the fort, the Germans were anxious to eliminate the few observation points the fort had. It should be remembered that the gun bunkers themselves had no observation points of their own. They themselves could not look out except through the observation turrets on the various bunkers. These small turrets were equipped with a periscope that, even when the observation slots were closed from the inside, still allowed the fort to record its surroundings.

In this way, the German attackers tried to put the turret out of action at every bunker (casemate), further and further limiting the fort's observation capabilities. As indicated, the gun emplacements in the bunkers themselves, could not look outward. They depended on their observation posts. In retrospect, this turned out to be an error in design.

After hef fort was conquered, all impacts caused by the hollow charges were filled with centmet. The reason for this was that the Germans were still keeping the capture of the fortress by means of the hollow charges, which at that time was a secret weapon, a secret. The fort was used for propaganda purposes and various military high commissioners from friendly nations were shown around it. The unconquerable and strongest fortress in Europe, which Germany had forced Germany to surrender after 2 days.

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Source

• Text: Ed Lewandowski
• Photos: Patrick Molders