Description
Book SynopsisIn July 1940 Britain faced the very real possibility of being invaded by Germany. Hitler's war machine had subjugated the Continent in six weeks and 'Engeland' was next on the list. The German Navy had been working on the logistics for a seaborne invasion of England since the autumn of 1939, just in case it was sprung on them at short notice some-time in the future. In July 1940 the operation was given the code-name 'Seeloewe' (Sealion) which was to be mounted from French, Belgian and Dutch ports on the Channel coast. However, arguments between the German Army, Navy and Air Force took weeks to resolve, yet in the end it was the failure of Hermann Goering's Luftwaffe to achieve air supremacy over the Royal Air Force that prevented the invasion becoming a reality. In this book we recount the story right from the beginning, covering all the significant events in the months from August 1939, through the build-up in the summer months, to October 1940 when Hitler accepted that orders must be given to postpone 'Seeloewe'.
Table of Contents7 Introduction 8 Sealion Diary 10 The Abwehr makes the first move at Jablunka 14 More Cross-border incursions centred on Gleiwitz 20 Prelude to the Second World War 26 Warsaw 30 The First Shots on the Western Front 32 Directives by Hitler 34 Plan 'Julius Caesar' 40 German Strategy 50 The Invasion of Denmark and Norway 54 The Fuhrer's Headquarters for the Campaign in the West 62 Blitzkrieg! 64 May 11: Panzers in the Ardennes 66 May 12: Guderian Crosses the Semois 67 May 13: Rommel Over the Meuse 68 May 14: Defeat on the Meuse 70 May 15: Break-out is Achieved 75 Operation 'Dynamo' 94 Surrender 98 Hitler's Victory Tour 112 Invasion Plans 118 Questions 119 Planning 121 Narrow or Broad Front? 125 Selection of Landing Areas 128 Intelligence of the Enemy 136 The Diversionary Measures 137 The Carrying Out of the Naval Preparations 150 Cross-Channel Guns 155 Air Operations in Relation to the Planning of 'Seeloewe' 164 The Days of Decision 168 Summary 170 Conclusion
