27th Sept 1940

[antarmike]

Although today was due to see Operation Sealion, the German invasion of Britain, It was still a big day for Gemany when the Tripartite Pact is signed in Berlin. Italy, Germany and Japan now have a common cause.

 

Operation Sealion was abandoned 10 days earlier when it had become clear that the Luftwaffe was not going to gain Air supremacy over Britain in the time available for the last practcal date for the operation.

Edited September 27, 2008 by antarmike

[Tony B]

Wasan't Sea Lion gamed sometime in the late 1970's? A lot of the original planners and commanders took part. The result if I remember was Britain 1 German's lost after five days. The damage results however were horrendous. Another good disscusion point though, even if the invasion was unsucsesful, and beaten back. How would the war have proicced then? Surley lessons learnt would have gone back into the Atlantic Wall. Also with both sides virtually fought to standstill, would the Russian's have come in and just kept going?

[antarmike]

When the possible outcome of Sealion is discussed, the part the Royal Navy would play never seems to get much of a mention, but the Royal Navy was in a far stronger position than the german Navy....

Edited September 28, 2008 by antarmike

[Tony B]

As I remember it was the Naval intervention that was decisive. It took three days for the RN to converge on the Channel. At this point the interdiction of the German Logistics was such that the landed forces became cut off.

[antarmike]

Although the survivability of surface ships without aircover is questionable, and for Sealion to have gone ahead, we have to assume the RAF had been crushed.

[Tony B]

The Sandhurst game was palyed in 1974. As you say it was assumed the Luftwaffe had NOT gained air supriority BUT that a mine barrage had been laid by the German's to protect the flanks.

[antarmike]

how close to the English coast could the Germans lay a minefield (coastal batteries and the like) so why can't the Battle fleet slip round the end and what stops our submarines causing havoc?

Edited September 28, 2008 by antarmike

[Tony B]

Apparently there is a book based on the game. i have the ISBN I'll try and found out more. ISBN 0-902726-17-X).

[Tony B]

The book is called Operation Sealion by Richard Cox, but as Amazon have only two on list at £51, I'll have to give it a miss, or get into my local libary.

[antarmike]

the book is called operation sealion by richard cox, but as amazon have only two on list at £51, i'll have to give it a miss, or get into my local libary.

 

ouch!