22 May 1941 Part 1

22 May 1941 Harpune Süd route north of the Channel Islands

Editorial note: Extract from invasion and deception planning; this is a proposed route, not a record of an executed crossing.

Preferred landing strip and outline of execution

II. Planned execution. The timing of the landing, establishment of the bridgehead and execution of the actual attack is envisaged approximately as follows:

The relatively long sea route from Brittany to Lyme Bay does not permit this distance to be covered in one [continued].

Crossing route and timing of the first wave

[Continuation:] … night. Following discussion with Naval Commander, Western France, it therefore appears necessary to use the Navy’s coastal route by day, first reaching the area north of the Channel Islands by that route, then crossing the Channel on a northerly course during a night passage and steering directly for the landing places in Lyme Bay. There, at dawn on the first day, the first echelons of the first wave will land simultaneously side by side.

The difficulties of protecting this daylight deceptive movement against attacks from the sea and air must not be underestimated.

T-1022 Roll 2439, T1022_R2439_English_Translation.docx. Archive and frame references follow.
PG 37942 | PG 37942 | frame 00062
PG 37942 | PG 37942 | frame 00063