Operation Sea Lion (1974 Sandhurst Wargame)
- Thread starter Not James Stockdale
- Start date
Has it not already be proved above that all storm-troops can multi-task rather well? I would assume the invasion transports laid the mines on route?
Not strictly true, there were two minelayers and six mine ships capable between them of carrying something in the region of 3000 mines. All destroyers were equiped to carry 60 odd mines and the torpedo boats 30 odd mines each. The minesweepers had room for 30 mines apiece and subs had mine carrying capacity as well.
Yes, yes. But I do so like the image of German soldiers stripped to the waist hauling a 21cm railway gun up a shingle beach.
Huh. Well, good on the Germans for spreading out their minelaying capacity.
Of course, a lot of this doesn't actually help any minelaying efforts in the Channel. The destroyers and torpedo boats are running escort for the initial invasion and are liable to end up on the bottom or in dock. The subs would be hilariously vulnerable in the Channel and the Germans will likely want to keep them on commerce raiding. That leaves the minesweepers, mine ships, and minelayers, and I admit, that's a lot more capacity than I expected, but attrition is going to bite fast with so few dedicated ships.
is this where i point out the RN had the capability to clear minefields faster than the ubermarine could lay them....and if the ubermarine vessels were all carrying and laying mines who is guarding the supply convoys?
I don't disagree with you at all, by my count the RN had roughly 50 dedicated minesweepers and a whole heap of minesweeping trawlers. My reply was in response to the claim that the KM had only two minelayers with a capacity of 800-900 mines when in fact throughout the fleet the capacity was probably in excess 5000 mines.
As to laying the mines it seems more than reasonable to assume that they would be layed prior to the actual crossing so the ships would be available for other duties.
Something the British will also be doing, except their fields are layer parallel to the beaches.
you are assuming of course that they don t meet with a mishap while laying the mines and of course there is the time between laying them and the invasion force leaving in which the RN minesweepers can deal with the mines......noting that they only need to clear a path not the entire field.
Build lots of Siebel ferries and other watercraft over the 40/41 winter to supply the German toehold in the UK. Lots, and also replace losses, build new river barges to replace losses. Without discussing whether or not there are enough German ship building places to do this, please let us know what is NOT getting built because of the resources and skilled workers now building the supply shuttle boats. Tanks, aircraft, other shipping or naval vessels? The ONLY way this effort could happen is by shorting something else.
The Admiralty aren’t going to be committing any KGVs to the Channel in September 1940, because there aren’t any in service yet.
Facts, eh. Facts.
There also aren't any Twins or Bismarck during the Sea Lion window either.
One of them isn't ready yet and the other two are suffering the consequences of British command of the seas.
hipper
Banned
the sea lion plan involved the first wave of landing forces unloading for three nights between Dover snd Hythe .The barges of the invasion fleet would be assembling for three nights prior to the invasion.
German Batteries in france could not prevent the RN from bombarding the invasion ports in France. i don't see the confidence that the KM can protect an open anchorage with Quickly emplaced peashooters,
also you seem to believe thar the minefields and costal batteries on the British coast will be unable to prevent the invasion, why should lesser protection stop the RN from sinking every large ship off the invasion beaches..
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hipper
Banned
it Did granted the bombers were British
11th – At 0035 hours the REVENGE force RVed with MGB’s 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 51 who had sailed from Weymouth and were tasked with covering the bombarding force from E-Boats.
At 0230 hours the MGB’s formed a screen ahead of the REVENGE force ready to engage any E-Boats or small vessels encountered.
At 0315 hours the bombing attacks commenced ad flares were dropped over Cap de la Hague to enable REVENGE to obtain an accurate fix.
From 0333 to 0351 hours from a range of approximately 15700 yards the REVENGE group bombarded Cherbourg harbour. During the 18 minute bombardment 120 x 15in shells were fired by REVENGE and a total of 801 x 4.7in shells from her escorting destroyers.
The force then retired under fire from a German shore battery, estimated as up to 13.5in calibre, east of Cherbourg. The firing continued for 30 minutes and although accurate no hits were achieved. During the withdrawal REVENGE worked up to 21½ knots.