Daylight air attack would present a serious threat to Royal Navy ships. Its effectiveness in 1940 still needs to be judged against contemporary performance, including the Norwegian campaign. The Luftwaffe had yet to develop the anti-shipping capability it displayed in 1941. Later investment and work, partly associated with invasion planning, should therefore not be assumed available to protect Sea Lion in 1940. At that stage, air attack is not expected to counterbalance the Royal Navy.
Notable Point · 52:41-53:24
The Luftwaffe's anti-shipping limits in 1940
The Luftwaffe's 1940 threat to British ships differed from the more developed anti-shipping capability it acquired in 1941.