Battle of Britain and "Operation Sea Lion" refers to Hitler's failed attempt to seize Albion in 1940.Failed with the help of Russia, as the order for cancellation of all preparations for a landing on the shores of the UK was given the Führer January 9, 1941, when the Germans were stopped at Moscow, and all the forces of Germany were directed to war with our country.But if the "Sea Lion" - operation to capture England, the Battle of Britain (a term introduced to supply Churchill) refers only to battle the Air Force and the German attempt to seize the supremacy in the skies over the country.
final chord in the enslavement of Europe
After the war, some high-ranking German military officials claimed that Hitler never seriously thought about the attack on the UK.Most likely, after the defeat of the French army, he was confident that the country of the Channel Tunnel is already in his pocket.And do not avoid the fate of France to Britain, which led the first eight months of the Fuhrer "playful war" up until May 9, 1940, if not the war with Russia."Sea Lion" - operation, conceived as the landing of the German assault - was approved July 16, 1940.Seeliwe plan was as follows - the original 25 divisions were to cross the English Channel and land on the English coast between Dover and Portsmouth.
Channel - natural protection of England
But many understood that a landing - a risky business, and the "Sea Lion" - operation is more adventurous, because England had a very good Navy and the centuries-old experience of naval battles.RAF were also quite strong.That is, the forward landing was very difficult.Therefore, one of the components of the German army, namely the Army, from "Operation Sea Lion" excluded.It was decided to first destroy or suppress the RAF and clear the English Channel.The date of the operation all the time tolerated.Of course, Britain was very interested in Hitler's attack on the Soviet Union and in every way it was promoted.
serious preparation
«Sea Lion", the operation of the German attack on Albion, revised all the time, corrections were made, the start date was postponed.It was decided that no 25 and 40 divisions will take part in the crossing of the English Channel, on the mainland shore of which, in the occupied coastal cities - Rotterdam and Cherbourg, Calais and Ostend, accumulating in large quantities means crossing - 1,722 barges and 471 tow.In addition, the Germans expected to use the boat in 1161 and 155 units of sea transport with a displacement of 3000-5000 tons.Emphasis was placed on the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), which were to support the 13 coastal guns.
Battle of Britain
7-8 August began bombing England, code name - "Eagle raid» (Adlerangriffe).The first day, having the code name "Eagle Day» (Adlertag), is considered the official start date of the Battle of Britain (although other sources of September 13 among the official start date of the operation "Eagle", which was part of the amphibious landing "Sea Lion").Operation commencement date of which has not been approved (landing, as we know, too, did not take place), often called "failed jump sea lion."February 13, 1942 Admiral Raeder was the last time I had a talk with the Fuehrer about this operation, after which she was finally removed from the agenda.
true turning point in the war
As noted above, the fall of 1940 the operation to invade England was moved to the spring of 1941.Whatever is written is now the turning point in World War II, only to stop Hitler's troops near Moscow and the defeat of Stalingrad saved Britain from enslavement.Saved them Sea and the Russian army to the historic victories of which the British suffered defeat after defeat, and in the desert, and its shores.Only Hitler's order to stop the German offensive at Dunkirk and allowed to transport 330 thousand soldiers of the army of allies across the Channel.
Air parity
"Operation Sea Lion" was held in summer 1940.Actually, not the landing and capture of the island nation, and the bombing of England, who had to clear a path to the ground forces.But the document has been approved by the operation of 16 July 1940 and completely abolished on Jan. 9, 1941 th.Operation "Eagle", a component of the "Sea Lion", stopped in September, and the Germans were forced to admit that superiority in the air and they reached to keep the Luftwaffe, it is necessary to stop the bombing of London and the invasion postponed indefinitely.And then, for obvious reasons, this idea has never returned.
Home total destruction of European cities from the air put
So ended "Operation Sea Lion".Disrupt the invasion of England in any case can not be considered a credit to this country only.Although Britain and air strikes against Germany without Hitler hatched plans for an attack on Russia, in England, "is not long used to play music."The devastating bombing of London was preceded by a navigation error of German pilots, which resulted in no bombs were dropped on military factories, located in a suburb of the British capital, and in its center.The British made four retaliatory raid on Berlin.Although the destruction and casualties were minor, but Berliners not to frighten, but rather surprised Hitler was outraged and ordered the massive bombing is the capital of England, which began on September 7.On the same day in Britain sounded the "Cromwell", a warning about the beginning of the invasion of German troops.September 7 bombings were the most powerful and caused the greatest destruction, September 9 - less significant 15th - even less.September 17 in the coastal ports of Germany, the dismantling of equipment for the offensive.The Germans failed to achieve superiority in the skies and clear the way for "Sea Lion".But it can not be regarded as a victory over the German troops and the turning point in the war.Especially in the later bombing the Germans did not stop, and the city of Coventry in the years 1940-1942 was razed to the ground.
