Tag: operation sealion

Operation Sealion German Armoured Train

This found its way onto my workbench (and with the recent discussion on Operation Sealion) I thought people might be interested.

German Armoured Train using a captured GWR Tank Engine

It is a 20mm German Armoured Steam Engine. Using a captured GWR Praire 2-6-2 Tank Engine, the German occupation forces would use armoured trains to protect the rail network from English terrorists (partizans) and important trains (carrying the ReichsMarshal of Great Britain for example).

Normally it would push a flat wagon with 40mm AT weapon on it and other wagons would include Flak wagons and heavy machine guns.

Actually I can’t remember purchasing the Dapol plastic kit, building it or even painting it!

Scenery for Moderns and WWII

Try your local model railway shop…

I was in my local toyshop looking for presents for my son, when I checked out the model railway section.

Two things caught my eye for having a use on the gaming table, Hornby’s Skaledale range and the Cararama range of 1/72nd vehicles.

Hornby’s Skaledale range is a superb range of ready painted resin UK 1/72nd buildings that would be excellent for any Operation Sealion type game. This pub is typical of the quality of the range.

There is also a range of modern stuff that could be used for a modern type scenario. These skips are an example of the Skaledale range.

You can see pictures of all the range on the Hornby website.

There is also a N gauge range which could be used with 15mm figures at a push. 15mm is approx 1/100th scale and N is 1/160th scale.

The Cararama range of vehicles would be ideal for any moderns game in providing some real background scenery. These are highly detailed scale model cars.

There are also quite a few for a scenario set in the 1960s.

Operation Sealion

Interesting links on the proposed German invasion of England…

I have quite a few books on Sealion.

The overall conclusion of most historians (and what if experts) is that Sealion could never have succeeded… having said that the whole what if of Sealion makes for interesting games.

In the past I had quite a few games with Home Guard versus German paratroopers, great fun.

I once wrote an alternative Sealion, Otaire de Vigneur, the French invasion of England circa 1940. Though the french strategy of eclair was never taken seriously by British officers in the field.

If you consider the logistics of D-Day, the allies built two ports (Mulberry), the Germans would have had to capture an English port.