I was talking with my brother last night and he reminded me of this 'best-case' scenario we worked out. Even i is pretty much a pipe dream though.
Somehow the German's discover that Engima has been compromised. So like the USN at Midway a trap is set. RN Intelligence gets word from Engima that the invasion fleet is going to sail. The RN puts major units (capitol ships and cruisers) into the Channel to stop them. But the loaded barges only go out a few miles and turn around. The Luftwaffe now tries to wipe out the RN in the Channel, hoping to cripple enough ships to allow the real convoy's through.
Two big problems though. The first is that, as I've already mentioned, is that the Luftwaffe just isn't that good against ships. Damage is going to be a lot less than hoped. The second is that, with major units in the Channel, the RAF will put every fighter available over them. Losses on both sides are going to be heavy and most pilots/crews lost aren't going to be recovered. For the RAF the loss of the pilots will be far greater than the loss of the aircraft. This might end with a different Battle of Britain but won't help Sealion much.
Somehow the German's discover that Engima has been compromised. So like the USN at Midway a trap is set. RN Intelligence gets word from Engima that the invasion fleet is going to sail. The RN puts major units (capitol ships and cruisers) into the Channel to stop them. But the loaded barges only go out a few miles and turn around. The Luftwaffe now tries to wipe out the RN in the Channel, hoping to cripple enough ships to allow the real convoy's through.
Two big problems though. The first is that, as I've already mentioned, is that the Luftwaffe just isn't that good against ships. Damage is going to be a lot less than hoped. The second is that, with major units in the Channel, the RAF will put every fighter available over them. Losses on both sides are going to be heavy and most pilots/crews lost aren't going to be recovered. For the RAF the loss of the pilots will be far greater than the loss of the aircraft. This might end with a different Battle of Britain but won't help Sealion much.