If Operation Sealion was launched and failed in summer/autumn 1940, what could be the resulting influence on British culture? For one thing, there would probably be no Battle of Britain movie, or any BoB idealization for that matter, because the RAF wouldn't have really stopped the invasion. Instead, it would have been the Army that valiantly defended the glorious British isles from the Germans.
Any thoughts on this?
I do not claim to know the effect on British popular culture, but it would have had a major effect on American popular culture. Ed Murrow broadcasting from the beaches at Dover with a few of his "Boys"... "I'm standing in a copse of trees about half a mile from the main battle line. The German parachute troops are clustered together, at the intersection of two roads. There was a village there... You can hear the sounds of British cannon - World War One three-pounders - about to fire on the Germans..."
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Warner Brothers Picture: "FOR KING AND ENGLAND!" Starring Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon.
Screen title: "TAKEN STRAIGHT FROM THE HEADLINES!"
One English village in the brunt of the Nazi invasion!
One English woman - facing down the Hun!
GERMAN OFFICER: So, Lady Baslington, I give you one more chance. WHERE IS THE AMMUNITION CACHE? WHERE IS THE ENGLISH HOME GUARD?
LADY BASLINGTON: I'll never tell! Never!
GERMAN OFFICER slaps LADY BASLINGTON: Schwein! Take her away!
One English Home Guard company - against a horde!
LORD BASLINGTON (Leslie Howard): If we don't stop them here, where can we stop them? Who's with me?
CAPTAIN STOKES (Errol Flynn): I'm with you. But we're going to need more than pitchforks!
FOR KING AND ENGLAND - Coming to a cinema near you!
A Warner Brothers Production.