Gustav Altmann

Who was Gustav Altmann?

Gustav Altmann was a member of the Fallschirmjäger during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions during the Battle of Fort Eben-Emael. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Altmann was taken prisoner of war on 22 May 1941 during the battle of the Akrotiri peninsula.

Gustav Altmann was leader of Assault Group Steel of the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch" during the opening phase of the Battle of France and the attack on Fort Eben-Emael. Assault Group Steel was tasked with taking the Belgian bridge at Veldwezelt and holding out until reinforcements arrived. Altmann led a group of 91 men crammed into 9 DFS 230 gliders in the assault. The attack succeeded at the cost of 8 dead, 16 heavily and 16 lightly wounded. Gustav Altmann and eleven other German officers of the Fallschirmjäger received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for this feat.