Operation Sealion

Operation Sealion was a German plan to invade England during World War II. Following the Dunkirk Evacuation and the Fall of France the spring of 1940, Great Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany. Hitler and his generals drew up plans for an invasion across the English Channel.

The invasion was not possible at the time because of the Royal Navy, which maintained control of the Channel. In addition, the Germans lacked sufficient numbers of transports and landing craft.

Over the course of the summer, the Battle of Britain ensued, in which the Royal Air Force slowly clawed back air superiority from the Luftwaffe. Hitler cancelled Sealion and looked east to expand the Third Reich.