Hitler's Armada: The Royal Navy & the Defence of Great Britain April - October 1940

by Geoff Hewitt

Hitler's Armada examines the aborted German invasion of 1940 in a fresh and original manner by looking past the myths and legends which have subsequently surrounded it, in order to arrive at significant new conclusions by referring back to the actual events.The book presents fascinating detail of Hitler's Operation SEALION and, by study of its weaknesses, demonstrates that control of the sea, not the air, was the critical factor. It also questions whether the traditional British view of the importance of the Battle of Britain as the key factor in the prevention of invasion is really tenable.The importance of the Royal Navy during this period, generally overlooked, is brought into sharp focus and, possibly for the first time, the actual dispositions of the Royal Navy anti-invasion forces are presented in detail. The author examines the relative strengths of the two sides drawing interesting conclusions about the inadequacies of the German resources particularly and their reliance on mine laying.The author discusses the conflict between air and sea power in the months leading up to the summer of 1940, concluding that, at this stage of the Second World war, air power was far from supreme.The findings of the author may be controversial, but the process by which they are reached strongly supports their validity.REVIEWS Any historian or general lover of history in Hitler, or the importance of the Germany Navy in WWII, will find this book immensely informative, yet still simple and understandable. Nautical Research Journal, 03/2010"

Genres: World War II

194 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed analysis of Hitler's prospects for a naval invasion of Britain, which was marginal at best after the German navy's losses against His Majesty's fleet off Norway, and a critical rebuke of the longstanding narrative that the RAF constituted Britain's chief defensive hope against said invasion. Hewitt reviews the types of ships and aircraft available to both Britain and Germany, and points out that the Luftwaffe's ability to hit the Royal Navy at sea was almost nonexistent; in addition, the German navy was very poorly equipped to attempt a land invasion in the best of circumstances, with clumsy barges rather than the made-for-purpose landing craft employed in Overlord. Against turbulent seas and the might of the Royal Navy, even Hitler's arrogance had to bow to the reality that the sceptered isle would be too tough a nut for him to crack in 1940, and that Britain's defenses would only grow stronger in future. This is an extremely detailed and welcome work, bout it may scare off readers who are accustomed to more casual/less analytical histories like those of Stephen Ambrose, etc.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows the 'story of the few' during the Battle of Britain, but this book argues that that it was the Royal Navy that was instrumental in making sure that Britain did not suffer the tortures of defeat in 1940. The author also questions whether the Germans really intended to invade at all.

The author succinctly states: "What the RAF had not done, however, by their success was prevent a German invasion, for the simple reason that such an opeation was an impossibility unless the Royal Navy presence in the Channel was neutralized, and with the weapons and techniques available to the German armed forces--both Navy and Luftwaffe-- in 1940, this was never a realistic possibility."

The men of the Royal Navy, the RAF and the British Army all played their parts in keeping the world free. Their bravery and sacrifice is more than enough to go around.

[Mathieu Gaudreault · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book correct but too long for saying that Kriegsmarin was too weak, poorly organized and Royal Navy event with its worldwide commitement was more than a match for haphazard modified rivers barges invasion fleet supported by a handfull of torpedoes boats.