Dawson and Major Sykes are sent to Eben Emael in Belgium, the strongest fort in the world, completely impregnable. That night, activity in the village wakes them, and they return to the fort and witness a group of German soldiers land on the roof in gliders to assault it. The main attack lasts 20 minutes, leaving Eben Emael crippled. And Dawson is disturbed – he has seen the Germans do what he thought impossible – blasting holes through solid 12 inch steel armour plating using some kind of new demolition charge.