Invasion: The Alternate History of the German Invasion of England, July 1940 [Paperback]

Kenneth Macksey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 2006

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Greenhill Books (March 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853673617
• ISBN-13: 978-1853673610
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Well-Written, If Somewhat Unlikely Alternative History, June 2, 2000

By 

R. A Forczyk (MD, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Invasion: The Alternate History of the German Invasion of England, July 1940 (Paperback)

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.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invasion a masterpiece combining fact with fiction, December 17, 1999

By 

Michael Hitchens (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invasion: The Alternate History of the German Invasion of England, July 1940 (Paperback)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Alternative History Classic, December 5, 2000

By 

Simon M. Lindsay "Alt History Junkie" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Invasion: The Alternate History of the German Invasion of England, July 1940 (Paperback)

I love this book, having bought it many years ago and still find myself periodically re-reading it. Sure, Macksey's premise is weak, for the Germans were in no position to launch an improvised and scaled down version of Operation Sealion in July, 1940. Likewise, the author never quite adequately covers the all-important naval dimension of the campaign and unpersuasively permits the Germans control of the Dover Straits. Nevertheless, it is a great read that moves along at a good clip. A nice companion to Peter Tsouras's "Disaster at D-Day".