Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:28:37

A Channel Tunnel in the Second World War

A tunnel could transform evacuation logistics, but it would also be a vital denial target during a German advance.

Channel TunnelDunkirkNaval LogisticsWorld War II
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Question

How would a Channel Tunnel have affected the Second World War?

Short answer

It could have supported a much larger evacuation of troops and equipment, but Britain would have had to deny it to a German advance.

Notes

In this counterfactual, British forces would retreat towards the Channel Tunnel for evacuation. Trains could bring back equipment as well as troops. The tunnel would then have to be denied to German forces. Demolition is the initial proposal, with flooding considered in a later exchange.