If Britain Had Fallen: The Real Nazi Occupation Plans

by Norman Longmate

The question 'what if' Germany had invaded the British Isles has long preoccupied writers, but none have dealt with the subject as comprehensively and effectively as Norman Longmate. Based on a classic television film of the same name, If Britain Had Fallen covers every phase of the subject, from the German pre-invasion manoeuvring and preparations, the landing of troops, to the German seizure of power. What follows is a fascinating contemplation of what it would have been like to live day to day under German occupation, creating a new reality that is thoroughly believable and thus all the more frightening. What would have happened to the King and the Government? Would America, Canada or Australia come to the rescue? Would the British people have come to accept the occupation? Would the deportation of friends, the flying of the swastika from Buckingham Palace incite passive compliance, or brave resistance? All these questions and more are explored to their full in this thought provoking and chilling pastiche of the centuries most enduring and darkest episodes. This is a classic book, with fresh material from Norman Longmate.

Genres: Alternate History, History, World War II, British Literature

276 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1975

Reviews

[Cold War Conversations Podcast · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Later that afternoon with the Germans already in Trafalgar Square and advancing down Whitehall to take their position in the rear, the enemy unit advancing across St. James 'Park made their final charge. Several of those in the Downing Street position were already dead... and at last the Bren ceased its chatter, its last magazine emptied.

Churchill reluctantly abandoned the machine-gun, drew his pistol and with great satisfaction, for it was a notoriously inaccurate weapon, shot dead the first German to reach the foot of the steps. As two more rushed forward, covered by a third in the distance, Winston Churchill moved out of the shelter of the sandbags, as if personally to bar the way up Downing Street. A German NCO, running up to find the cause of the unexpected hold-up, recognised him and shouted to the soldiers not to shoot, but he was too late. A burst of bullets from a machine-carbine caught the Prime Minister in the chest. He died instantly, his back to Downing Street, his face toward the enemy, his pistol still in his hand."

This fascinating view of the proposed German Invasion of Britain in 1940 tells the story of a successful invasion following the defeat of the RAF and Royal Navy. Not hugely strong on actual accuracy, but a stirring patriotic account of what might have been...it would make a great film!

[Guido · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chilling account of what might have happened, if Hitler had invaded and conquered Great Britain. I am not quite raving with enthusiasm, as Longmate focuses too much on the situation in the Channel Islands, the only British territory occupied by the Nazis. Bear in mind that I am Dutch, and the Netherlands suffered a brutal occupation between 1940 and '45, with 110,000 people deported and massacred for not matching Hitler's definition of a true Aryan.

Whilst this is a subject of pure conjecture, I do think that Longmate understresses the brutality of German occupation in Europe. However, I will give this book 3 stars for reminding us of the evils of Nazism, however inadequately so.

[Sheldon L. Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Remarkable Retelling of History

There have been several books written in recent years on the what ifs of history. This is the best one that I’ve encountered. Every aspect of a potential German victory and its effects is investigated here. What’s useful, is the fact that Britain’s Channel Islands actually were occupied by the Germans during the entirety of the war. Using this actual experience and history as a basis for a wider possible victory in England, plausible reasoning is provided for what might have resulted.

[Jemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the books I've read about this particular what if? Rooted in fact, it explores quite comprehensively and with considerable nuance, how events would likely have played out. It is particularly clear sighted on the likely reaction of America, as opposed to how we would have wanted it to act. Worth a read by anyone interested in this era, especially if you are sick of counterfactuals which start off well and then lose touch with the facts.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't actually bad and it is clear that it is relatively well researched. However, some of the conclusions reached seem to me at least to be stretching some sources very thinly. In some parts it is very detailed and then in others it skips through. If you want to read a couple of stories that explore the subject better, in my opinion, try Man In The High Castle by Philip K Dick or Fatherland by Rovert Harris

[John Morton · Rating 2 out of 5]

unfortunately I only managed 40% of this. To be fair to the author I was expecting something similar to Deighton's SS-GB and it wasn't, however the three chapters that cover the fictional invasion are ok but the rest is too heavy for me. If you want a good fictional account of the UK being invaded by the Nazis then Gordon Stevens "And All The King's Men" takes some beating.

[Nancy Lessem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed

While bits are of interest, the tissue is wildly speculative and his dismissive approach to the destruction of whole peoples is most concerning. I was on the whole rather disappointed

[The Bauchler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great 'what if' book to read back then.

But the internet now gives us far more opportunity to feed our need to imagine if things had gone differently.

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well done book. It is only slightly fictional with the vast majority of the book based on actual known facts of what the Nazis had done in other countries and what they had planned to do in England if they had successfully invaded them.

The author is also careful to point out which chapters (only 3) are more fictional/speculative while the rest of them are based solidly on known Nazi plans and activities. The Channel Islands are also discussed since these were British territory that were actually under Nazi control.

Especially noteworthy is the fact that the Nazis would have taken almost anything artistic that was valuable out of Britain to be removed to Germany. There were virtually vultures about anything like that. The overall food situation in England would not have been good under their control, either. The Jews, of course would have been rounded up.

Life in Britain would have gone on but it would have been rather grim under Nazi rule.

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting subject, but not very well written. Lots of long, meandering sentences that make it hard for a reader to keep the thread, plus strange sentence construction.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough book but nothing special

[Mathieu Gaudreault · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok book that was good at its time of publication but now outdated. Also omits the role of former king Edward VIII has a regent in a hypothetical german occupied britain.