Operation Sealion: How Britain Crushed the German War Machine's Dreams of Invasion in 1940

by Leo McKinstry

In the summer of 1940, the Nazi war machine was at its zenith. France, Denmark, Norway and the Low Countries were all under occupation after a series of lightning military campaigns. Only Britain stood in the way of the complete triumph of Nazi tyranny. But for the first time in the war, Hitler did not prevail. The traditional narrative of 1940 holds that Britain was only saved from German conquest by the pluck of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. The image of Dad's Army recruits training with broomsticks is a classic symbol of the nation's supposed desperation in the face of the threat from Operation Sealion, as the German plan for invasion was code-named. Yet as Leo McKinstry details, the British were far more ruthless and proficient than is usually recognised. The brilliance of the RAF was not an exception but part of a pattern of magnificent organisation. In almost every sphere of action, such as the destruction of the French naval fleet or the capture of German spies, Britain's approach reflected an uncompromising spirit of purpose and resolution. Using a wealth of primary materials from both British and German archives, Leo McKinstry provides a ground-breaking new assessment of the six fateful months in mid-1940, beginning with Winston Churchill's accession to power in May and culminating in Germany's abandonment of Operation Sealion.

Genres: History, Military History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military Fiction, European History, War

496 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2014

About the author

Leo McKinstry writes regularly for the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator. He has also written nine books including a life of Geoff Boycott, which was recently named one of the finest cricket books written in a Wisden poll. His best-selling biography of the footballing Charlton brothers was a top-ten bestseller and won the Sports Book of the Year award, while his study of Lord Rosebery won Channel Four Political Book of the year. Most recently he has written a trilogy about the RAF in the Second World War, including Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane.

Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a WWII subject of continuing interest. It logically covers the “what if” questions about Operation Sea Lion, the German designation for the plan to invade and take over Britain. As usual with German planning in WWII, lots of documentation and memoirs have been left behind and others have mined these resources or given personal remembrances as early as war’s end. This book from 2014 did a very good job of collecting information as well as explaining thinking on both sides.

McKinstry is best when dispelling myths (both sides) describing the build up of plans for invasion as well as plans to repel and/or fight the invasion, and talking about cultural misunderstandings especially on the part of the German leadership which prevented them from making good decisions.

McKinstry shows that this was an extraordinarily tense time for the British government and its people. They were left to deal with unheard of preparations and fears. What Hitler and his colleagues failed to understand is that the British were not going to roll over, were not going to give up if the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were captured, were not given to defeatism and not totally lacking in preparations and training. Hitler himself is shown to be very conflicted, alternately enraged and admiring of the British and very worried that Sea Lion might fail. The army, the kriegsmarine and the luftwaffe were often not in agreement. Ultimately, waiting until mid-September of 1940 with unreliable weather and a Russian front looming killed Operation Sea Lion. There was a big sigh of relief but a long war ahead.

I feel some of the middle parts of the book dealing with armaments and futile ideas went on too long and detracted from the book’s impact. There is some humor to leaven the subject and McKinstry is a good writer. Why did the Nazis send a group of spies to the north of Scotland and expect them to bicycle their way to London (bicycles had to be dumped in the North Sea before even reaching land) equipped with a single Luger and German sausages, believing this would fool anyone? Granted, I doubt this attempt came from experienced planners.

On a side note, this subject is still so interesting that there are a multitude of books, short stories, films and video games dealing with “what if” Nazis had successfully invaded Britain. There is even a strange sub-category dealing with zombie Nazis taking over. In 2009 a Norwegian horror film called Dead Snow covered the subject. In fact if you look on IMDB you will find 48 films and games dedicated to Zombie Nazis coming back to take over. McKinstry does give real evidence that German leaders planned for a very draconian grip on Britain. All men ages 17 to 45 were to be removed to the continent to be used as war slaves. That is far more chilling than Nazi zombies.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

History of the planned but never-attempted German invasion of England, especially of the English preparations to meet it. Aims to disprove the ideas that Operation Sea Lion was a bluff, and that the British were unprepared for invasion. Argues that British preparations for the invasion were much more serious and thorough than the German preparations, and even had the Germans won the air Battle over Britain, the planned invasion would have still probably failed. Very readable, relies on quotes more than numbers. I felt the use of Churchill's taking meetings even in the bath as an example of how fevered the planning was during the darkest days of 1940 was incorrect, because taking meetings while he bathed was part of Churchill's routine for many years before WW2; he was just weird. An interesting story the book told was of the British planted rumor in the NY press that a German invasion attempt was actually made, but that it's only result was thousands of burned bodies washed up on the shores of the English Channel. Reading this book, I couldn't help but conclude that rumor was probably an apt prediction of the result of Operation Sea Lion would have been had it gone forward.

[Steven Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty interesting read for one of the less in vogue points of WW2.

Sandwiched between actual battles like the Fall of France and the Battle of Britain, Sealion which ended up coming to nothing is always going to almost be lost in the noise but all in all I found this book to be rather engaging. Part of me feels that the act of writing it with little reference (comparatively) to those two battles and instead focusing on the Home Front actually makes it somewhat of a refreshing read. It's allowed to stand on its own and whilst the Battle of Britain is referenced, the book doesn't become a rehash of that and instead focuses on its own story.

The book takes the time to tell both sides of the struggle, with an emphasis on the British defence over the German attack. The author goes to great lengths to downplay the myth that Sealion was never a serious possibility and it was all bluster but really with a Germany that seemed invincible and a Britain bloodied it's impossible to think the people living at the time could have felt that way. To Britain in 1940, they were coming and this book gives a solid overview of everything Britain cooked up to defend itself, from the obvious, to the downright absurd, both politically and militarily.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo McKinstry has produced another excellent book on Second World War history. This volume adds a rich level of detail, broadening the story of the summer of 1940 well beyond the confines of the Battle of Britain, challenging many assumptions and inaccuracies about the state of British preparedness and defences.

McKinstry credibly argues, that rather than a vulnerable nation which muddled through more by luck than design, politicians and military leaders had clear plans to rapidly strengthen the Army brought back from Dunkirk, and put the entire nation on a war footing, ready to resist the invader. What is perhaps the most remarkable is the morale and attitude to resistance displayed by the vast majority of the public, helping the nation to pull together for the common cause. As well as British preparedness and defence measures, the German angle, and chaos in the planning for Sealion is covered in depth, setting out the uncertainty and confusion at the very top of the Nazi state, that meant any invasion was almost doomed before it began.

This is an excellent book, written in his usual accessible style, that is attractive to the seasoned expert, as well as those with minimal prior knowledge, well recommended to anyone who wants to understand the full story behind the summer of 1940, and Operation Sealion.

[Susan Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exceptionally interesting book by the able Leo McKinstry, here focusing tightly on the planned German invasion of Britain, Operation Sea Lion. Clearly and skillfully written and organized, this book gives a clear, often entertaining account of the most dangerous moment of the war for Britain. McKinstry's research is deep and eclectic, and as always he has an eye for telling and entertaining anecdotes. By the end of the book one realizes that, as costly as an invasion would have been for the British, World War II in Europe might have ended very early because the Germans would have been smashed and Hitler likely deposed or done away with.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

In June 1940, France surrendered to Hitler. Many people expected a nazi invasion of Britain to follow shortly after; both sides made serious preparation for it. This book is a history of those preparations, 1939-Oct 1940, primarily told against the backdrop of the British home front.

This was a readable account with a great many interesting points. One thing I was surprised by is that the mass roundup of enemy aliens was mostly pointless, and Home Secretary Anderson opposed it-- he thought, correctly, that he knew who the high-risk aliens were and only they were needed.

Another thing I learned is that the British were legalistic in somewhat surprising ways. Churchill and
most of the army leadership were in favor of using gas if the Germans made a successful landing, despite internal protests that this violated international law. (Churchill's comment was basically "they are our beaches and we can drop mustard gas on them if we have to.") But the British were *not* willing to deport Mosely et al, because sending prisoners out of the realm without a trial violated domestic British law. (I believe the relevant statute was the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679). This seems to me like a basically right-headed set of priorities but a surprising one.

There's a bit much triumphalism, and I noticed a few mistakes. On page 271 the author describes Bill Donovan as "former US attorney general"; he wasn't. He was a US attorney, which is a much less senior post. A bigger problem is that the book doesn't assess the real military prospects of the invasion. It's been wargamed several times, notably at RMA Sandhurst in 1974; the Germans generally lose badly but I would like to hear more about how and why.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the 'Miracle of Dunkirk', Britain's position as the next victim of Nazi Germany looked bleak. Even if 300,000+ had been saved, their war materiel remained in France. Britain was alone and many important people had written them off. While President Roosevelt wanted to help, the Neutrality laws made that questionable although devious ways were found to help rearm the British Army. 1940 was still destined to be an unforgettable year, and in many ways, the year that Hitler and Germany lost the war.

Operation Sealion is the subject of this book. It is a detailed look at what might have been, and what Britain did to counter a cross-channel invasion. And they did a lot. The Home Guard was mobilised to be at the forefront of protection. Many are the stories of the ordinary citizen taking up arms to protect their country and homes in those frightening days. The threat of Sealion rallied the country as never before. Fortunately they also had the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to do much of the actual fighting. Everyone knows the story 'of the few', but as always the Royal Navy had the heavy burden of preventing an invasion.

I found this book to be of great interest, adding to my knowledge of this historic moment. Even though it occurred over 80 years ago, it should always be remembered as a time when the world could have sunk into a dark abyss. That it didn't is thanks to those who were willing to stand up to evil. Hopefully, we will have that same courage when we need it in the future.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

McKinstry provides a nice overview of the challenge the UK faced with a possible German invasion in late summer 1940. McKinstry looks at this challenge from a number of different angles - dealing with possible collaborators, foreign residents, rebuilding the army following the Dunkirk evacuation, developing a strategy (at the beaches or using a set of fall lines), finding the right military leadership, and developing coastal defenses. McKinstry looks in particular depth at the political issues faced by Churchill.
McKinstry is not afraid to look at some of the challenging questions, such as the round
up of foreign nationals that included a large proportion of refugees from Europe.
One area of this book that I wish was developed more was a review of the German plans and decision making - there is some of it, but this book is heavily tilted toward an analysis of the British challenges.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very in-depth look at the German plan to invade the UK Operation Sea lion and the British plans to repel the invaders.
After the fall of France Britain had her back to the wall and the threat of invasion all too real.
This book looks at both sides of the proposed invasion and how each passing month Britain’s defences grew stronger with both orthodox and unorthodox plans and weapons.
It shows reasons why the plan was never tested eventually troops planned for the invasion were needed on other fronts.
There’s also a lot on the politics of the time. Heavy going in parts but still and informative read.

[Hubert Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an excellent book on Operation Sea Lion - the Nazis planned invasion of France. This book is chock full of facts and goes into great about the planned invasion. Importantly it also describes the preparations of the British and the change in the British mindset as 1940 wore on. This change, in which the British resolve to resist and fight was strengthened by Churchill and much planning cemented the postponement of the invasion.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible story and gives a VERY in depth review of Churchill, London and the gang in 1940. It starts with Dunkirk, through the summer, and ends in October following the worst of the Blitz.

A very thorough account of that time of UK determination and defiance.

[Laurence · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's clear why a Sealion operation was not viable in 1940, and how Britain was able to make the task even more difficult through determined resistance.
Too much unnecessary filler here though.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent review of the year of 1940 in Britain with the Blitz and all of the preparations for the German invasion which never materialized.

[Curt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can it really be a failed invasion if it never got out of the "here's an idea that might work if we're really lucky " stage.

[Alan Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pedestrian. A few editing errors (two references to May 10 for events occurring on June 10, e.g.) Follows the new fashion of ignoring the air battle. And NO maps!

[Edward L.]

157

[Becky Loader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book brings up a lot of "what if" questions about Hitler's plans to invade Britain. Lots of details.

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Information wise it's a 5 star, readability it's a 3 so I give it a 4

[Richard Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of a momentous failed operation.

[Nishant Pappireddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very detailed description of British and German preparations with respect to Operation Sealion, and demolishes many myths about the ineffectiveness and inadequacy of British preparations.

[Peter Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Operation Sea Lion: the failed Nazi invasion that turned the tide of war,” by Leo McKinstry (Overlook, 2014). Hate hate hate those bloody subtitles! Anyway---McKinstry’s argument is that England was not saved from Hitler solely by the heroic few of the RAF (though they were very important). There were two overarching factors. First, Hitler had never really intended to invade, so the Nazis had not make any invasion plans until deep into the defeat of France. Second: Although the Brits were completely unprepared at first (no army, no weapons, no plans, no defensive works, etc), they armed and organized themselves very rapidly, and they were absolutely determined to fight. There was none of the defeatism of the French; the English were bloodied but unbowed. The rescue of the BEF from Dunkirk had two powerful effects: there was now an actual British army in England; and the return of the troops actually raised morale: everyone was overjoyed to see them, and they were overjoyed to be home. McKinstry runs through all the elements involved: the arrival of Churchill the bulldog with the golden tongue (he survived some heavy politicking from Lord Halifax, who would have sued for peace); the creation of the Home Guard, which was turned from an untrained bunch to a solidly trained and well-armed auxiliary force; the development of defense plans—first Gen. Ironsides’ strategy of defense in depth, powerful but static, then replaced by Alan Brooke’s plan for a mobile, counter-attacking defense. The negotiations with the Yanks, and the importance of the hundreds of thousands of good-quality rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition. The ingenious defensive inventions, culminating in plans to coat the sea with flaming oil (which apparently greatly discomfited the German soldiers when they heard rumors). The slow development of intelligence from Ultra (the Enigma machine); the hapless German attempts to land spies in England. The strange case of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor: the Germans wanted to use them, the British wanted to get them away from Europe. Plans for guerrillas and commandos; brilliant propaganda and disinformation; British control of the German spies; etc. meanwhile, the Germans were nowhere as efficient as the British, handicapped by Hitler’s own hesitation about an invasion and infighting among the military (Goering refused to participate in any planning). The Wehrmacht thought it would be a river crossing; the Kriegsmarine under Raeder knew their navy had no chance against the RN, and thus could not protect an invasion fleet. The Allies took two years to plan the Normandy invasion. The Germans tried to do it in a bit more than two months. This was Hitler’s first defeat. Not the most brilliant writing, but a fascinating look inside what was happening inside Great Britain during the spring, summer and fall of 1940. The Irish, btw, were no help whatsoever.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/opera...

[Charles Inglin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author presents the situation in Britain from the Spring of 1940 and the Dunkirk evacuation to October, when Operation Sea Lion, the German plan for invading England, was postponed, effectively forever. The author dispels many myths surrounding the summer of 1940. The real threat of invasion from June to August was almost non-existent, since the Germans had made no plans and conducted no training for an amphibious invasion. Hitler and the German army saw the invasion as little more than a large river crossing, while the Kriegsmarine was all too aware of the difficulties and the utterly insufficient resources they had. While the British had left much vital equipment in France, the deficiencies were made good with amazing speed, both from increased production and with arms shipped from America. By the end of July they had received 600,000 M1917 Enfield rifles, enough to equip most of the Home Guard, along with machine guns and artillery. Plans were made and implemented rapidly to defend the most likely invasion areas, with full rein given to even some outlandish ideas. While the Battle of Britain was being waged to prevent the Germans gaining necessary air superiority, not so well known were the efforts of Bomber Command to disrupt German preparations in the invasion ports on the French, Belgian and Dutch coasts. And overall was the stolid determination of the British people to resist an invasion at all costs. A well written and very readable story.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo McKinstryn "Operation Sealion" (John Murray, 2015) käsittelee kiehtovaa aihetta: toisen maailmansodan merkittävintä operaatiota, joka ei koskaan toteutunut, eli toisin sanoen saksalaisten suunnittelemaa maihinnousua Englantiin loppukesästä tai alkusyksystä 1940. Luvut käsittelevät aihetta monesta eri näkökulmasta, joista itseäni kiinnostivat erityisesti muun muassa Irlannin rooli, Windsorin herttuan taivuttelu saksalaisten marionetiksi sekä "liekehtivään mereen" liittyvä fakta ja fiktio.

Englantilaisten ajatellaan olleen usein yksinomaan RAF:n varassa, mutta kirjassa todetaan, että hattua kannattaa nostaa myös muille tahoille kuten pääministeri Winston Churchillin määrätietoiselle työlle pitää maa sodassa, LDV:lle eli tuttavallisemmin Home Guard -joukoille, Royal Navylle ja saksalaisten vakoiluverkostojen tehokkaalle mitätöinnille. Saksalaisten onnistumismahdollisuudet jäävät kirjan perusteella melko vähäisiksi.

Lukijalle tarjoillaan myös muutamia hupaisia anekdootteja, joista mieleenpainuvin mahtaa olla palveluskunnan ajatus pystyttää Virallinen Kuninkaallinen Postilaatikko kuningasperheen salaiseksi evakuointipaikaksi suunnitellun kartanon eteen. Kymmenvuotiaan Len Deightonin (SS-GB) kerrotaan myös todistaneen saksalaisten vakoojien pidätystä Lontoossa.

[Lee Holz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the most comprehensive of the several I’ve read about the invasion that never was. Most books concentrate on the so-called “Battle of Britain” of August and September 1940 in which the RAF decisively defeated the Luftwaffe. “Operation Sea Lion” deals with the air war, but puts it in context with a thorough treatment of all aspects, including the political, surrounding the planning and preparations to launch and to repel the invasion. It still remains quite clear that Hilter’s miscalculation in switching the Luftwaffe from attacking (mostly with bombers) the RAF’s airfields to bombing London probably cost the Luftwaffe any chance of achieving the air superiority the invasion needed. However, “Operation Sea Lion” makes a convincing case that the British Army and Royal Navy would have probably defeated the invasion attempt anyway. This book is a well-written and entertaining account. I received my copy of this excellent book as a giveaway in the Goodreads First Reads program.

[Andrew Robins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable account of Britain under threat of German invasion in 1940. The general gist is not new - that Britain was actually far from a weakened, soft target waiting for the inevitable defeat, but was actually in control of an increasingly well equipped and trained modern war machine.

I read David Edgerton's Britain's War Machine last year, which was a very dry book, focusing on facts and figures, and really enjoyed it.

This is a more readable, anecdotal account of the same period, making many of the same points.

Worth reading if only for the following typically British paragraph.

Sir Roger Keyes, the director of Combined Operations, received a suggestion that loudspeakers be installed along the coast equipped with gramophone records in the German language, ‘telling the landing craft to return to the bases as the invasion is off. The basis of the idea is the German characteristic of inherent obedience to orders.’

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and detailed history of the British preparations to defend their island, and the German steps to invade, following the massive defeat of the British and French armies at Dunkirk.
I will say that to enjoy this book you do need to be a big history buff of WWII, since after all this is the history of an event that never happened.
The book does give the reader a good understanding of why the invasion never took place. Hitler had great anxiety about what it would take to succeed and also hopes that he could defeat the British without having to try the risky undertaking of moving forces across the channel.
All in all very interesting. Many wonderful examples of how important Churchill was to keeping Britain going in the face of the Nazi onslaught. Without Churchill, the British government almost certainly would have surrendered following Dunkirk, since the appeasers in the cabinet still had great power, in the first week after Churchill was made prime minister.

[L.J. Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written account of the war in 1940. The book first describes the events leading up to Dunkirk and then moves on to examine the preparations made by the British in the subsequent months. In some respects it's actually quite an eye opener, particularly with regard to how far Churchill was prepared to go in order to defend the country. An excellent account of one of the less well documented periods of the war.

[Jeremy Hallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting history of the circumstances after Dunkirk and the likelihood of the Nazis attempting to invade England. The author comes to some different conclusions about the reasons why the invasion never occurred than conventional wisdom currently accepts, mainly that the Battle of Britain and England's air superiority were only one of many reasons, not the sole reason.

[Patrick Kitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and to realize how close Britain was to having Nazi Germany banging on their front door with a likely possibility of them marching on London. Imagine how the war would be with no UK and America needing to commit more to defeat the Nazi's

I recommend this book

[WRH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done book about the planned invasion of Britain by Germany during WW II. The role the RAF played in preventing the invasion is well known. This book outlines all the other plans and arrangements made which also had a significant effect on Hitler giving up on invading.