Quote:
Originally posted by General der Infanterie Friedrich H:
Adolf Hitler invented the concept of gliders, but I am not sure if he was the one who came up with the idea of using his invention specifically for Eben Emaël.
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Afraid GdI Frederick has it right on this one. It was Hitler not Student that came up with the glider attack on Eben Emael. Student was called to Berlin by Göring and had a meeting with Hitler were he was asked if a glider attack was possible. When Student said it was, Hitler then ordered Student to take Eben Emael and also told him of the new Hohladung (hollow charge) explosive device he would be using.
Hitler's idea for the attack came from his study of the WW I attack on Fort Douaumont. Hitler also relayed that his idea for gliders came about from trying to solve the problem of how to get the 110 lb hollow charges onto the fort.
See: Prelude to Dunkirk: The Fall of Eben Emael by James E. Mrazek.