Was Britain invaded by the Nazis?

Ok, it's Friday and we've had a few beers, we get talking about the usual, violence and women.

We start talking about WW2 - then I say to a mate imagine if we got invaded... to which he replyed: We did, about 200 troops landed during 1942-43 in Norfolk (they were killed and everyone got on with their lives), now for some reason that rang a bell, I heard about it somewhere a few years back, but I don't know the details.

I'm just curious, wouldn't have this been more documented? And is this true or am I going insane?

(Google isn't very helpful... for the first time ever.)

Maybe he was talking about this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_the_Channel_Islands

Quote: Paul W @ June 15 2008, 2:27 PM BST

Ok, it's Friday and we've had a few beers, we get talking about the usual, violence and women.

We start talking about WW2 - then I say to a mate imagine if we got invaded... to which he replyed: We did, about 200 troops landed during 1942-43 in Norfolk (they were killed and everyone got on with their lives), now for some reason that rang a bell, I heard about it somewhere a few years back, but I don't know the details.

I'm just curious, wouldn't have this been more documented? And is this true or am I going insane?

(Google isn't very helpful... for the first time ever.)

View original

That was a Dad's Army episode was it not?

I don't think it ocurred in reality..

There was a lot of stories about this and a book was written about it. Where the Eagle Landed: The Mystery of the German Invasion of Britain, 1940 (World War II Stories) (Paperback)

But it was meant to have happened in 1940 when Operation Sealion was still considered viable.

Quote: DaButt @ June 15 2008, 2:45 PM BST

Maybe he was talking about this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_the_Channel_Islands

View original

I know the germans occupied the Channel Islands...

And I'm not talking about an episode of Dads Army, I'm talking about a real life landing of the germans somewhere near Norfolk.

I was just curious about it is all.

Quote: Alan C @ June 15 2008, 3:48 PM BST

There was a lot of stories about this and a book was written about it. Where the Eagle Landed: The Mystery of the German Invasion of Britain, 1940 (World War II Stories) (Paperback)

But it was meant to have happened in 1940 when Operation Sealion was still considered viable.

View original

Yeah, something like that basically, I don't know if it was kept quiet because so few troops actually landed or because it was a failed attempt. Or it just didn't happen

Book Description One of the most remarkable and persistent legends of World War Two, the story of German forces landing on the coast of Suffolk in September 1940 has inspired numerous works of fiction. But the conviction that the invasion plan, code-named 'Operation Sea lion,' was more than just a rumour has never been fully investigated, until now. Using recently declassified documents, information from local and national newspapers and magazines, and eyewitness accounts, Haining's book is lucid and gripping. It reveals East Anglia's historic vulnerability to invasion, the region's logistical importance as a testing ground for weapons of mass destruction, the true identity of 'the burnt drowned corpses,' and the bizarre defensive weaponry of The Wizard War.' 'Where The Eagle Landed' provides the solution to an enduring mystery and sheds light on a fraught period of Britain's wartime history

Quote: Paul W @ June 15 2008, 3:51 PM BST

Yeah, something like that basically, I don't know if it was kept quiet because so few troops actually landed or because it was a failed attempt.

View original

If it happened and was kept quiet, it would have been for national morale rather than it having been a failed attempt or whatnot.

I have two German maps dated 1941. They were found in a Suffolk wood just after the war. It is believed that the Germans left them behind. Some of the places they cover are Lowestoft, Finborough, Stowupland, Battisford and Barking, all in Suffolk. Lowestoft if by the sea. This is a rough translation of some of the text:

"Caution! Using the Gaufb-Kruger reticule in the 119 band.
For calculation (of position) values of the same band only are to be used.

2nd special edition of 1941
Only for official use
Location determination for England."

(The Gaufb-Kruger coordinate system is used for maps and for determining a location).

Quote: Paul W @ June 15 2008, 3:51 PM BST

I don't know if it was kept quiet because so few troops actually landed or because it was a failed attempt. Or it just didn't happen

View original

No they encountered the American army who were hiding in the county until Roosevelt could think of a way to get the US into the war. I actually just made that up but it wouldn't surprise me if it turned out to be true

I'm sure there were a few Germans tiptoeing around England back in those days, but there was never a major invasion. Germany landed 8 saboteurs (via submarine) in the U.S., but one of them got cold feet and turned himself in to the FBI. The rest were rounded up and received a rather electrifying sentence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Pastorius

Lowestoft if by the sea. Dur! I meant Lowestoft IS by the sea.

Quote: DaButt @ June 15 2008, 4:31 PM BST

I'm sure there were a few Germans tiptoeing around England back in those days

View original

More than 'a few'!

I've actually heard from a number of sources in the past that Hitler didn't want to invade Britain, but rather ally with us, because of our imperial achievements and extensive empire.

Not sure if that's actually true, mind.

There were plans to send an invasion force of more than 100,000 men, but the RAF gave the Germans quite a spanking and Hitler eventually shied away.

Quote: Aaron @ June 15 2008, 4:37 PM BST

I've actually heard from a number of sources in the past that Hitler didn't want to invade Britain, but rather ally with us, because of our imperial achievements and extensive empire.

Not sure if that's actually true, mind.

View original

That is absolutely true - let's face it the Royal Family were/are Germans - he wanted to have Europe to himself and let Britain retain it's Empire and work in partnership.

Indeed, it certainly does make sense. I've just been a bit wary as I've not read or heard it particularly often.