GERMAN PLANS FOR THE INVASION OF ENGLAND IN 1940, OPERATION 'SEALION'

edited by W.E. Parry, Director of Naval Intelligence, 48 leaves and one map, typescript, original cloth-backed printed boards, February 1947, one of 80 copies

A fascinating account compiled by Vice Admiral Kurt Assman taken from German naval archives of the events that ultimately proved to be the cancellation of the invasion of England, code named Sealion. The account varies from exaggerated hopes to pessimistic forecasts and the operation probably failed owing to Goering's lukewarm support and doubt that an invasion would take place or succeed. A summary of the Naval Staff's appreciation, dated 10th September, noted There is no sign of the defeat of the enemy's airforce over Southern England. Sealion was postponed until January 1941, again in May 1941 and then shelved indefinately.

Kurt Assman (1883-1962) in WWI commanded the 'Torpedoboat Flotilla Flanders'. In WWII he was head of naval archives until his retirement in June 1943.