Q&A · 1:13:54-1:14:13

Coastal Command's all-in response to Operation Sea Lion

The planned response to a German invasion was to commit every available Coastal Command aircraft by day and night.

Question

What was Coastal Command expected to do in response to Operation Sea Lion?

Short answer

It was to attack with every available aircraft, by day and by night, so the invasion force received no rest.

Notes

The response to Operation Sea Lion followed a simple emergency concept: Coastal Command would send every available aircraft against the invasion force in daylight and darkness. Relentless pressure took priority over preserving a specialized maritime reserve. An invasion threat would override normal command boundaries and force-allocation preferences.