PTs SS GB SB
Posted: February 27th, 2017, 5:56 pm
Hello and welcome to this Shared Build with the loose 'umbrella' subtitle of 'Jerries on British soil'. Initially I had proposed a Group Build based on the 1974 theoretical Wargame that Operation Seelowen, the invasion of Britain had actually been launched but failed. (See bottom of this post) but with BBC1s SS GB now being shown, there may be some inspiration from that for builds based around the details of that series, namely that Hitler DID establish control of Southern England. Either way you choose to go, I reckon there are some powerful images to be conjured up by the participants and food for thought for those just looking in.
Good luck chaps!
Invasion[edit]
The German attack was launched at dawn on 22 September 1940 and consisted of 8,000 airborne troops and 80,000 infantry landed in amphibious operations. The invasion fleet suffered only minor losses to Motor Torpedo Boats, however the Germans lost about 25% of their unseaworthy barges. During this 24-hour period the Royal Air Force lost 237 aircraft (about 23% of its fighting strength); the Luftwaffe losses amounted to 333, also about 23% of its aircraft. Naval engagements were indecisive at this stage as the Royal Navy was still assembling its main destroyer fleet to attack. The larger ships of the Home Fleet (including battleships, heavy cruisers and aircraft carriers) were not to be committed due to their vulnerability to air attack and U-boats.
The Germans managed to advance a dozen or so miles inland and even captured the ports of Folkestone and Newhaven but the docks at Folkestone had been thoroughly demolished by the British rendering them more or less unusable. British and Commonwealth forces were moved to fully engage in the battle with the first counterattack on 23 September, halting the advance of the Germans towards Hastings and recapturing Newhaven. German paratroops were also pinned down by long-range artillery and harassment by stay-behind forces. At this stage the Germans had few tanks and only light artillery ashore. An increasing shortage of ammunition was slowly forcing them back towards the sea. The Germans asked "Hitler" if the bombing of London could stop and the aircraft used to support the invasion. The request was denied. By dusk on 23 September the Germans had 10 divisions ashore, but most were halted by counterattacks or awaiting supplies and reinforcements.
The second wave of the German invasion was launched on the morning of 24 September, but only the short crossing from Calais and Dunkirk to Kent. At dawn on 24 September the second German landing, which was to include tanks and heavy artillery as well as supplies and men, was intercepted by a Royal Navy fleet of 17 cruisers and 57 destroyers plus Motor Torpedo Boats. 65% of the German barges, three German destroyers and seven E-boats were sunk for the loss of only two British destroyers (sunk by U-boats) plus two cruisers and four destroyers damaged. Some of the faster German ships broke away and headed for Folkestone, but the port was so badly damaged they could not unload. With the Royal Navy suffering only minor losses, the Home Fleet was ordered to stand by to sail for the English Channel. The German divisions ashore only had enough ammunition for 2 to 7 more days of fighting. Fast steamers and ferries were pressed into service to start an evacuation of German troops from Folkestone and Rye. "Hitler" ordered the remaining reserves to stand down and prepare for redeployment to Poland. Further British air and sea attacks disrupted the German evacuation over the subsequent four days. The remaining German troops in England finally surrendered on 28 September.
Good luck chaps!
Invasion[edit]
The German attack was launched at dawn on 22 September 1940 and consisted of 8,000 airborne troops and 80,000 infantry landed in amphibious operations. The invasion fleet suffered only minor losses to Motor Torpedo Boats, however the Germans lost about 25% of their unseaworthy barges. During this 24-hour period the Royal Air Force lost 237 aircraft (about 23% of its fighting strength); the Luftwaffe losses amounted to 333, also about 23% of its aircraft. Naval engagements were indecisive at this stage as the Royal Navy was still assembling its main destroyer fleet to attack. The larger ships of the Home Fleet (including battleships, heavy cruisers and aircraft carriers) were not to be committed due to their vulnerability to air attack and U-boats.
The Germans managed to advance a dozen or so miles inland and even captured the ports of Folkestone and Newhaven but the docks at Folkestone had been thoroughly demolished by the British rendering them more or less unusable. British and Commonwealth forces were moved to fully engage in the battle with the first counterattack on 23 September, halting the advance of the Germans towards Hastings and recapturing Newhaven. German paratroops were also pinned down by long-range artillery and harassment by stay-behind forces. At this stage the Germans had few tanks and only light artillery ashore. An increasing shortage of ammunition was slowly forcing them back towards the sea. The Germans asked "Hitler" if the bombing of London could stop and the aircraft used to support the invasion. The request was denied. By dusk on 23 September the Germans had 10 divisions ashore, but most were halted by counterattacks or awaiting supplies and reinforcements.
The second wave of the German invasion was launched on the morning of 24 September, but only the short crossing from Calais and Dunkirk to Kent. At dawn on 24 September the second German landing, which was to include tanks and heavy artillery as well as supplies and men, was intercepted by a Royal Navy fleet of 17 cruisers and 57 destroyers plus Motor Torpedo Boats. 65% of the German barges, three German destroyers and seven E-boats were sunk for the loss of only two British destroyers (sunk by U-boats) plus two cruisers and four destroyers damaged. Some of the faster German ships broke away and headed for Folkestone, but the port was so badly damaged they could not unload. With the Royal Navy suffering only minor losses, the Home Fleet was ordered to stand by to sail for the English Channel. The German divisions ashore only had enough ammunition for 2 to 7 more days of fighting. Fast steamers and ferries were pressed into service to start an evacuation of German troops from Folkestone and Rye. "Hitler" ordered the remaining reserves to stand down and prepare for redeployment to Poland. Further British air and sea attacks disrupted the German evacuation over the subsequent four days. The remaining German troops in England finally surrendered on 28 September.