Fort Eben-Emael - machine-gun bunker Mi Nord

This heavy casemate of Fort Eben-Emael and was armed with 3 machine guns and 2 searchlights.

This bunker was also equipped with an observation turret. The bunker itself had no other means of looking outward beyond this observation turret. The gun rooms were not equipped with observation facilities. In retrospect, this turned out to be an error in design. Only through the observation turrets of the bunkers on top of the fort could one observe what was happening on top of the fort.

Also this turret (as well as Visé 2) was put out of action by a hollow charge of 50 kg. And here, too, the explosion deformed the periscope, located in the center of the turret, (armor 20 cm of steel) to such an extent that it became unusable.

See also the damage done by a hollow charge of 50 kg on the cupola of bunker MN29 at Charneux. At this turret, the damage has not been repaired and you can see very clearly what the concentrated explosion of nearly 3,000 degrees Celsius does to the turret of 36 cm thick steel. It burns completely through the steel and destroys everything on its way that it encounters. In the case of this cupola, the damage was not subsequently concealed with cement.

The turret suffered several bullet impacts in the attack. Also this turret and bunker was put out of action during the attack on May 10/ 11 by use of the hollow charge.

The bunker itself was also attacked with a hollow charge. The damage done was later repaired provisionally with concrete, but still visible.

Seen from the outside, the bunkers appear to have seen their best days, but that is only the finish on the outside. Inside, they are flawless. Except where battle damage has occurred.

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Source

• Text: Ed Lewandowski
• Photos: Ed Lewandowski