The Need for Organisational Resilience - Chapter 4

destroyed the turning mechanism of the most powerful long-range weapon (range of 17,5

km) of Fort d'Ében-Émael.

At around 06:00, Jottrand started launching a range of counterattacks, though they were

minor in size and unprepared. His personnel were mostly artillery staff, lacking the required

infantry training. Reinforcements from the surrounding garrisons arrived but they were

woefully unfamiliar with the environment. Meanwhile, Luftwaffe attacks on the periphery of

the fort contributed to the chaos inside and took their toll on morale. A serious counterattack

to sweep the Germans from the surface of the fort never materialised.

At 08:30, Wenzel’s time to be in command of the operation came to end:

It was around 08:30 when a lone glider flew over the fort and landed not very far

away from the northern rampart. In it was Oberstleutnant Witzig and Trupp 11,

who had been forced to land in a meadow beside the Rhine when the tow rope

broke shortly after take-off. Witzig was quickly briefed by Oberfeldwebel Wenzel

and he assumed command of the assault group. (Dunstan 2005, 56)

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