On 10 May 1940 Hitschhold commanded a group of 40 Ju 87B dive bombers; 33 were combat ready. StG 2 remained under Richthofen's air corps command, part of "Luftflotte" 2, belonging to Albert Kesselring. During the Battle of France and Battle of Belgium, StG 2 transferred to Hugo Sperrle's "Luftflotte" 3. Hitschhold's attacked Fort Eben-Emael. The Battle of Fort Eben-Emael was crucial in allowing the German Army to breach Belgian Army fortifications along the border. The carried out attacks against Belgian reserves moving to the frontline. The Belgian defences in the region crumbled the following afternoon, after the French failed to relieve them under attack from StG 2 and Lehrgeschwader 2.