0510_06A: The Boldest Coup - PzC 12 France '40

Maastricht, the Albert Canal, and the Fall of Ében-Émael, 10 May 1940: 6. Armee's advance into
Belgium on May 10th was spearheaded by Generalmajor Johann Stever's 4. Panzer-Division. 4.
Panzer was to advance through Limburg Province (a narrow salient of the Netherlands which
extends between Belgium and Germany), pierce the Belgian defenses on the lightly-fortified Albert
Canal Line, and then thrust deep into the heart of Belgium. To overcome these challenges, OKW
planned a daring operation involving the Abwehr and the Luftwaffe. Prior to the invasion, small
detachments of Brandenburger commandos disguised as civilians and Dutch soldiers were to seize
the Maas bridges at Maastricht and disable the demolition charges. Meanwhile, shortly after 05:35
(04:35 French time) Sturmabteilung Koch, an elite battalion of Luftwaffe Fallschirmjägers, would
land in gliders and seize the bridges over the Albert Canal. Another detachment would land on top
of Ében-Émael and destroy the fort's artillery turrets and emplacements with shaped charges. The
Dutch foiled the Abwehr's efforts at Maastricht - the Brandenburger agents were discovered and the
bridges blown long before the Panzers arrived. The Belgians, however, were not prepared for an
attack from above..[Size: Small] Design Note: In this version of the scenario, all bridges over the
Albert Canal are wired. It is possible that any or all of them could be destroyed when
Sturmabteilung Koch lands. This has the potential to create a much more difficult situation for the
Germans.