May 11th, 1940.  The German invasion of Belgium was in full swing. The German airborne forces were tasked with taking Fort Eben-Emael, which was integral to the success of the army.  A series of battles were being fought along the border, usually aimed to secure important bridges and crossings.

German Panzer divisions were ready to move into central Belgium and bring the invasion to a swift end.  First, however, Belgian garrisons protecting the bridges and crossings needed to be eliminated.  And this was a task that fell to Hans Bauer.

Surveying the field ahead, Hans deduced that the coast was clear and signaled for the rest of his squad to approach.  They had advanced this far under the cover of a forest.  Across the ways was a dirt road which ran north, passing by Hagen’s Farm and crossing over a river.  The bridge which crossed over that river was a vital crossing that the German Panzer Divisions sought to utilize.  But thus far the Belgian garrisons threatened this move.

By the time the squad had assembled on the edge of the wood, Hans began to relay orders.  “Ziegler, Brant,” he referred to the two Machine Gunners, “cover our advance.  Moltke, Kramer, you’re with me.  Winter, you take Seidel and Schmidt.  We’ll split up and advance on the road in two teams.  [i]Schnell![/i]”

The disciplined soldiers exited the forest and proceeded towards the road in two teams; Hans had tasked Winter with leading the second team because he was the oldest and most experienced, having served in the Great War.  Meanwhile, Ziegler and Brant, with the help of Claus and Otto - the two machine gun assistants - covered the advance.

Once they made it to the road and found no resistance, Hans signaled for the MG teams to regroup.

Now it was only a matter of advancing north, along the road, towards Hagen’s Farm, where the Belgians were expected to be.  The darkness would cover their approach, and they remained on the eastern side of the road so they could cover themselves in the ditch.