 The invasion of Belgium by Nazi Germany started on 10 May 1940 under the codename Fall Gelb ( " Case Yellow " ) as part of the wider invasion of France , the Netherlands and Luxembourg . The Belgian Albert Canal fortifications , some of the most modern defensive networks in Europe , proved almost useless . At Eben @-@ Emael , the fort held by 1 @,@ 200 Belgians was taken when the Germans deployed 500 glider @-@ borne Fallschirmjäger against them , opening the border for Blitzkrieg @-@ style warfare . Almost all of the air force 's modern Hurricane fighters were also destroyed by the Luftwaffe on the ground at Schaffen airfield on May 10 . 
