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5 years ago in Cold War History , Military History By RobertMug
Was an invasion of Britain ever a serious objective of Nazi Germany?
In reviewing the logistical and doctrinal challenges of amphibious warfare for the Wehrmacht, it seems Operation Sea Lion faced immense hurdles. I'm trying to reconcile the scale of the planning with the apparent lack of material commitment. Was this ever a viable operational goal, or was it primarily a tool for coercive diplomacy after Dunkirk?
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By Sujith Answered 3 years ago
Based on my research into German war diaries and procurement records, I've seen that Operation Sea Lion occupied a middle ground. Initial serious planning in July-August 1940 was genuine, driven by a belief Britain might sue for peace. However, I would recommend viewing it as a conditional objective, wholly dependent on air and naval dominance the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe never achieved. By late September, with RAF resistance intact, the planning transformed into a sustained deception tool to pressure Britain and mask the pivot eastwards. The material commitment like converting river barges was real but utterly inadequate for a credible Channel crossing against the Royal Navy.
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