Chapter Eleven
The Leader And Supreme Commander Of The Armed Forces.
Headquarters, Berlin. 16th July, 1940. 7 copies
Directive No. 16
Since England, in spite of her hopeless military situation, shows no signs of being ready to come to an understanding, I have decided to prepare a landing operation against England and, if necessary, to carry it out. The invasion will bear the cover name 'Sea Lion'.
The aim of this operation will be to eliminate the English homeland as a base for the prosecution of the war against Germany and, if necessary, to occupy it completely. The English Air Force must be so reduced morally and physically that it is unable to deliver any significant attack against the German crossing.
Army: The Army will draw up the operational and crossing plans for all formations of the first wave of the invasion.
Navy: It will defend the crossing of the Channel on both flanks. Existing extra-heavy platform-gun batteries in France are to be enclosed in concrete in such a manner that they can withstand the heaviest air attacks and will permanently, in all conditions, command the Straits of Dover.
Air Force: The Luftwaffe will prevent interference by the enemy Air Force, destroy coastal fortresses, break the first resistance of enemy land forces, and destroy important highways. I request that suggestions be made to me regarding the employment of parachute troops.
I request Commanders-in-Chief to submit to me as soon as possible the plans of the Navy and Air Force to establish the necessary conditions for crossing the Channel.
Adolf Hitler