Not so much a secret weapon as new tactics did the trick.

However, the Maginot Line had two major failings – it was obviously not mobile and it assumed that the Ardennes was impenetrable. Any attack that could get around it would leave it floundering like a beached whale. Blitzkrieg was the means by which Germany simply went around the whole Line. By doing this, the Maginot Line was isolated and the plan that soldiers in the Line could assist the mobilised French troops was a non-starter. The speed with which Germany attacked France and Belgium in May 1940, completely isolated all the forts. The German attack was code-named “cut-of-the-sickle” (Sichlschnitt) – an appropriate name for the attack.

source: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/maginot_line.htm

Originally Posted by tomtom22

Not so much a secret weapon as new tactics did the trick.
source: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/maginot_line.htm

All well and good, but not what I was looking for. There was indeed a secret weapon used, and it went hand in hand with a refined tactic. The weapon is one that every army now uses.

Dean.

it was the first time that armor vehicles had really been used alot, and also precision attacks by dive bombers.

Tactic: Blitz krieg (Combining fast moving armour with aircraft )
Secret weapon :stuka dive bomber
Where: the ardenen (same region as the battle of the bulge)

And yes this is a stab in the dark



P.s. I have been reading the thread

I thought the Moginot line is during the WWI? Do they have Stuka at that time? Stuka was only born in WWII!

Istealfreefood: no
Jan-Willem: no
Zander: no

Clue time. The secret weapon was used in a place in Belgium, but the objective was France. The Belgians had a powerful defensive line in position as well....

Dean.

You thinking of what happened of Ebden Emael? Coup de man operartion, using special forces?

You have the place, but now you need to spell it right (can't help it, I'm an English Teacher!) and tell me what secret weapon was used during the attack.
Dean.

@Eben-Emael

paratroopers?
gliders?
or
hollow charges

they were all used for first time I believe there!

EDIT Its not an English place its in Belgium

Yes Reiben you finally got it. I did know that it is in Belgium, but seeing as I am married to a French speaking woman, and that we are both teachers, spelling of place names is something I really try to get right.

Now paratroopers and gliders, strictly speaking, are not weapons, but the shaped, or hollow charges are. They allowed a the small force that landed on the roof of the fortress to quickly and efficiently destroy the heavily armoured machinegun emplacements that were there. The next day, the paratroopers were reinforced, and the fort fell. So congrats to you Reiben, and try to stump us again.

Dean.