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

Leo McKinstry

4.1

253 ratings by Goodreads

9781848546981: Operation Sealion: How Britain Crushed the German War Machine's Dreams of Invasion in 1940

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 184854698X ISBN 13: 9781848546981

Publisher: John Murray, 2014

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'Superbly written and gripping' Daily Express

The thrilling true account of Hitler's first defeat.

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.

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Review:

In his immaculately researched and gripping work Leo McKinstry paints a vivid picture . . . [He] strikes a balance through reinforcing what the average reader is likely to be aware of and coming up with revelatory nuggets . . . stirring and passionate (Daily Express)

If we had lost the Battle of Britain, all that stood between us and a fascist future was the Home Guard, a Dad's Army of oldsters armed with broomsticks. Leo McKinstry's engrossing, forensic review of the evidence challenges that idea and exposes some myths along the way . . . McKinstry's admirable book sets the record straight (Daily Mail)

An enthralling story which confirms, should anyone still doubt it, that this really was our 'Finest Hour' (Mail on Sunday)

A pacey, readable history of Britain's resistance to the bogeyman across the Channel (The Spectator) --The Spectator

Fans of Leo McKinstry will know what to expect from his superbly written and gripping historical books and the unashamedly patriotic and unputdownable Operation Sealion . . . one of his best yet (Daily Express) --Daily Express

[A] fascinating, original study (Daily Mail) --Daily Mail

Book Description:

One of Britain's most remarkable victories of the Second World War.

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