Why Sealion?

[MPHopcroft1]

I've been viewing the recent AAR reports and several of them seem to include a successful Sealion. Well, successful int he sense that the Germans end up holding most of Britain and Ireland -- but this does not knock the UK out of the war.

Why and how does this happen, is this something players can take advantage of, and how does Britain prevent a successful German invasion?

[sveint]

I'm just going to answer your very last question: how does Britain prevent a successful German invasion?

A large infantry corps in each southern port and one armour corps in reserve, and Sealion is all but impossible.

[Franklondon]

In other words most of the British Army to defend against an invasion that makes little sense for Gerry.?

Garrison Liverpool and Glasgow immediately .... that’s the back door and knocks out all oil resupply.. In 3 or 4 turns UK has no oil. Production collapses. Move inland and the north / south rail is cut. Royal Navy back in port. WDF immobile in Egypt. RN blockading occupied ports has minimal disruption to the invader. Once landed, the British struggle to dislodge.

[kennonlightfoot]

It seems to be a trade off between knocking the UK out of the war and tying down a large number of Axis units trying to hold the UK and France from a US invasion. Depending on when the take the UK the US accelerated production and entry may offset the gain. This in turn effects the Axis chance in Russia. I haven't seen enough ARR's to tell if it is a good trade or not. If the Axis lacks the force to stop the Russians from taking Berlin early, then its a bad trade. But if they can hold off Russia they accumulate a lot of VP from having the UK.

[Franklondon]

My view (informed by very current knowledge), is the Sealion that works for Axis lands German infantry corps with panzer support at the undefended ports of Glasgow and Liverpool if the Allies have left this back door open. Take both and hold, this will knock the UK out of the war for at least 18 months. No oil, minimal production, no supply to overseas units. Even the Italians could then take Suez while Gerry sets about destroying the Red Army.

You may lose the German surface fleet in the delivery but the Home Fleet of the Royal Navy seems totally incapable of denying supply and reinforcement to these blockaded ports. Whilst the point of a British infantry bayonet will prevent certain exploitation, that should not be the primary objective. The grievous loss of imported goods and oil as well as inability to export supply is probably worth a 1,000 U-Boats!

Only when Britain's colonial forces finally arrive (Canada, Australia and obviously the American cousins) then Sealion can be overturned but not the strategic position. On the game, the inability of a heavy naval forces with air support to blockade and deny supply makes invasion and capture of undefended ports very attractive.

My Russians often enjoy holidaying in Germany's Baltic ports and Denmark. Modest investment in landing craft can yield substantial profits !