Squad 6/Heinz Giese (1 NCO/8 men)

The glider would land north of the bridge near casemate B guarding the other flank. The squad’s task would be to neutralize the casement. Then the squad would make its way to the bridgehead and on the way isolate the Belgian trenches between the bunkers and the bridge.

Squad 7/Rudolf Lange (1 officer (Schacht)/ 1 NCO/ 8 men)

The glider was to put down 150 metres north-west of the bridge. The squad would clear the trenches along the road to the north and cover the withdrawl of Squad 6.⁵

Squad 8/Alfred Stolzewski (1 NCO/ 8 men)

The glider would land in the big “crater” south of the bridge. The squad would set up the mortar there and pound the Belgian lines and trenches to the north-west of Vroenhoven. Martin Klug would set up his anti-tank gun in the fresh ruins of the fifth house south of the road to cover and protect the western flank.

Squad 9/Fritz Borchardt (2 NCOs/8 men)

The glider would land between the fourth and fifth houses north of the road. The squad would blow up the houses and ensure that the rubble fell on the road. It would then engage the Belgians in the trenches between the fifth house and the crossroads west of the Albert Canal, and once there destroy the farmhouse at that spot. Heinz Wendelken would set up his anti-tank gun at the fifth house north of the road and protect the flank west and north-west of the bridge.

Squad 10/Communications squad (1 officer/ 1 NCO/ 6 men)

The glider would land in the vicinity of the trenches north of the road, near Koch’s glider. Its occupants were responsible for radio transmissions, and to help set up the command post. Their equipment was a canister-radio B (the same as issued to the troops at Veldwezelt and Kanne), with which they would maintain contact with Major Aldinger’s flak artillery, and a more powerful radio installation for liaison with VIII Fliegerkorps which, for its part, for the contact with Koch, had a radio panzer at the spearhead of 4.Pz.Div.

Squad 11

This squad was added to Assault Group Beton on 8 May.

The armament of Assault Group Beton comprised eight light MG 34s, two heavy chassis-mounted MGs, one mortar, two anti-tank guns 38 model, twenty-two MP38 machine-pistols, six rifles with telescopic sight, pistols, handgrenades and the hollow charges required to immobilize the bunker and casemates around the bridge.

Beton was put at alarm-readiness on 9 May. The squads were flown by Ju 52 from Hildesheim to Cologne-Ostheim aerodrome and arrived there at 1800 hrs. The paratroopers were billeted in temporary barracks given the covername “Fur Farm”. They were awoken with coffee at 0300 hrs. Theo Schmitt of Squad 4 recalled the atmosphere before take-off:

“I have to confess that the composure of my colleagues and also myself impressed me. All were relaxed, trying to exude confidence. It was expected of us that we would fight for the Fatherland to the last. We knew that the battle would be hard, a life-or-death struggle. Each of us had to be composed and follow orders. Despite the logical worries and anxieties we had unlimited belief in our ability and strength. We were convinced that we would win the battle. All of us knew that at least a Belgian regiment with cannons and heavy guns would attack us even if Group Granit eliminated the guns at Eben Emael. For their part, Granit would be wiped out if we did not fortify the bridgehead. I was immersed in these and other thoughts when the last call came.

Before we received the order to board the gliders, we checked over each other’s weapons and equipment. My colleagues and I made up the ‘Hofmann Squad’. As we walked out to our glider we could see the others, all lined up behind the Ju 52s which would tow them up. Nothing must go wrong. We followed a placard on which was written ‘B4’ (Beton Squad 4) and suddenly there was our glider. Naturally none of the gliders bore nationality markings. Our pilot, Stern, was already there and had everything under control. We discussed amongst ourselves how important our mission was. We had the feeling of being irreplaceable…”