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Invasion: The Alternate History of the German Invasion of England, July 1940 Paperback – January 1, 2006

by Kenneth Macksey (Author)

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In June 1940, as German troops massed across the Channel, poised for the invasion of Britain, Hitler seemed ready for his greatest gamble. In this compelling alternate history the Germans actually launch the invasion. Landing between Dover and Hythe, German troops push inland, supported by the Luftwaffe and the panzers, and strike toward London. A classic and harrowing insight into how Britain's war might have gone.

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greenhill Books/Lionel Leventhal (January 1, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 223 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1853673617
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1853673610
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,134,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,470 in Military Strategy History (Books)
- #27,694 in World War II History (Books)

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James Glick

Well researched and Plausible

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020

Macksey's scenario assumes that Germany made serious plans to invade England in May 1940 right after the breakthrough at Sedan. He takes the German's and Brit's actual assets and plans in July 1940, analyzes them by way of case examples from the 1940-1941time frame, then continues the story from there. The only other historical premise that Macksey changes follows from the invasion coming in July rather than September: Germany's amphibious operation occurs on a narrow front, a practical and likely change due to Britain's relative weakness in the alternative July invasion scenario. This would have allowed for the seaborne supply and reinforcement line to be easily defended, as well as requiring fewer supplies for the bridgehead forces (Chapter I, pp. 20-21; Chapter XV, pp. 210). This would have been a key factor in the German's ability to gain a bridgehead,and helpful in maintaining one.

A key factor was Britain's historical expectation that a German invasion would land in East Anglia, rather than Kent as the Germans actually planned (ChapterIV, 57, 60; Chapter VI, pp. 89-90, plus notes 8, 9, 10 on pp. 213-214; Chapter VI, p. 81; Chapter VII, p. 115; Chapter XIII, p. 177; Chapter XIV, pp. 181, 189 (twice); Chapter X, p. 144). This would have made the initial German landings much easier, and assuming that the Germans gained a foothold in Kent, it would have taken too long to shift units there in time to contain them there. I find it odd that the Brits actually thought that the Germans would invade East Anglia rather than Kent, but they did, as late as September (again, see Macksey's notes for Chapter VI on pp. 213-214). Luckily, the Germans didn't actually invade!

Other factors are that the extra time historically gave the British army and RAF more time to recover their losses from France, and the RAF's low altitude radar historically didn't come on line until the end of July (Chapter IV, pp. 63, 209).

The upshot is that if the Germans had attacked in July, the RAF would have had a much harder time stopping the Luftwaffe, the Royal Navy would have been a minor factor, and the army would have had a hard time stopping the German ground forces.

I notice that some reviewers claim that Macksey "handwaves" logistics. Well, except for mentions on pp. 86, 139-140,143-144, 144, 146, 147, 152-153, 153, 164, 167-168, 168 (twice), 173, 174, 174-175, 175, 177, 177-178, 178 (twice), 180, 181, 187, 195, 197-198,204, and a few that I may have missed, I guess they have a point. As mentioned above, Macksey mentions that logistics is one of the benefits of the narrow front. Some also claim that he doesn't give the Royal Navy enough credit. His endnote 3 for chapter X compares his speculative July 1940 scenario to what the Royal Navy historically faced at Dunkirk and Crete, and why Sealion would have been much worse for them.

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Walter R. Strapps

Interesting but flawed

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2000

This book is a very interesting examination of the possibility of a German invasion of Britain in July 1940. Unfortunately, the treatment of the British defense feels as though he is not making decisions based upon what is likely to have happened, but rather what would make the telling of the story more exciting. In particular, one gets the feeling that British couldn't defend themselves against a lone German soldier with a dull rusty spear. And his treatment of the RN (Royal Navy) has a similar feel to it. One has to remember that in our timeline the British fought the Battle of Britain and stood firm in the summer of 1940, but there is none of that British courage and competence here, while the Germans get all the breaks. I recommend reading it, but don't hope for too much.

17 people found this helpful

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Michael Hitchens

Invasion a masterpiece combining fact with fiction

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 1999

Having read and researched material on World War Two for most of my adult life I found Mr. Macksey's work, Invasion, extremely interesting and enjoyable. It was a hard book to put down, especially when the fate of the Wehrmacht's campaign to conquer Britain seemed to hang by a thin thread when the British Army almost pushed the German's back to the beaches and into the Channel. Also when Hitler considered abandoning the invasion and recalling his forces only to be told that there would be no evacuation, that the five divisions already in England had only one choice and that was to advance. Having lived in London I can understand why no military commander would wish his forces to fight through the maze of boulevards, streets and alley ways that make up the city, it would be worse than grain elevators at Staingrad. Macksey did a thorough research of material with facts that: Britain's strength was at a very low ebb in June of 1940, that the Army was not ready to face a determined invader, that to secure assistance from the United States she would have to yield over control of her colonies, especially in the Caribbean. That contrary to popular belief the British Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley had no intention of cooperating, being a Quisling, with the occupying German forces. Where I can see that Major General Fuller would have been a choice to head the British Government, under German control, I have also read accounts where Samuel John Gurney Hoare would have been a possible. On that subject I have even read that Duke and Duchess of Windsor would have been invited by Hitler to accept the British Throne and rule as king and queen. I found that 1940: Myth and Reality by Clive Ponting an excellent precursor to reading Invasion. Again Mr. Macksey presents a very viable account of "what if" had taken place in history and one that I pleased to have in my library.

32 people found this helpful

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R. Forczyk

A Well-Written, If Somewhat Unlikely Alternative History

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2000

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A well-written hypothetical account on what if the German Whermacht had launched Operation Sealion in July 1940 right after the fall of France. In this version, the Germans land two infantry divisions near Dover and drop the 7th Airborne Division. In short, the British counterattack fails, the Germans land their armor and British resistance collapses after about two weeks. Macksey includes good military detail, but he tends to portray most British actions as half-hearted and inept. The sea battles go far too well for the Germans and the Royal Navy doesn't put in a good effort. The whole concept of a German invasion of England resides in accepting that the Germans could cross the English Channel in the face of desperate British resistance. Unfortunately, Macksey doesn't really convince the reader that the Kriegsmarine could do this. Macksey is a former armor officer and the parts covering ground operations are the best, but the naval chapters are weak. Logistic issues are glossed over. Interesting, but a bit far-fetched. Maps are excellent and will be appreciated by military historians.

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