An Ideal Invasion of England

Unrealistic speculation about Germany’s military effectiveness in the summer of 1940.

This eye-catching poster map of the British Isles and surrounding waters was published as a supplement to the July 15, 1940, issue of LIFE Magazine. The recent capitulation of France in June had left Britain as the lone defender against the Axis onslaught, and the Battle of Britain was escalating rapidly. Hitler’s planned invasion, nicknamed Operation Sea Lion, was intended to begin near the end of July, resulting in a large military buildup along the coast. The English and Americans were well aware of the concentration of forces, and this is a speculative assessment as to the possible routes of attack – “An Ideal Invasion of England.”

It’s an interesting mix of reality and fantasy. While German submarines, mines, and fast attack boats (Schnellboot) did plague the Royal Navy, they were never able to successfully blockade the Channel as depicted. Dover was indeed subject to intensive artillery bombardment from massive gun emplacements in Calais, parachutists were a serious concern, and, initially, London’s primary defenses were a series of barrage balloons.

The aerial threat borders on ridiculous. While Le Havre and Cherbourg were easily within range of German bombers, occupied Norway and northern Germany were too far for successful raids due to a lack of capable fighter escorts. Even more absurd are the air raids coming from Iceland and Ireland, both of which would have required an initial invasion and significant occupation beforehand.