Burning oil and stranded invasion barges

Stories circulated about a German attack on Britain ending with the invading troops burned, although their possible connection to British propaganda remains uncertain. Parts of such a story could have resembled the consequences of an actual landing attempt. Barges waiting for the tide would be especially vulnerable if burning oil spread beneath them. Troops who escaped into the water would face drowning or burns, while abandoning equipment would leave survivors poorly prepared to fight ashore. These are hypothetical consequences of the proposed defenses; the story does not establish that an invasion occurred.