Operation Sealion: The SBG’s Invasion of London.

Reproduced from Signal Nr. 188

Once again it was a phenomenal group effort which brought this event to "Life". The SBG were contacted by the BBC and asked to supply some vehicles and men for a three part documentary called "Invasion" which was to be about how England has always feared the threat of being invaded  and overrun throughout history. The third programme will examine the state of Britain's defences in the 20th century, and will include a history of 'invasion scares', the advent of air-power and the first 'high-tech' responses to the aerial threat, coastal and inland defences against invasion from the sea and key historical events such as the Battle of Britain and Hitler's Operation Sealion.

Operation Sealion was Adolf Hitlers planned Invasion of England in the early 1940's. Whether or not this was a genuine invasion plan or a ruse to fool Stalin that the invasion of Russia was going to take place much later will never be known.

As part of the enactment, the BBC filmed their presenter Dan Cruickshank introducing the programme in front of our Half-track before the Houses of Parliament. But as always it was the membership pulling together which really made this event something special. Many members contacted me suggesting what should have been worn and used during the early war period as the SBG basically portrays Grenadiers from the Normandy 1944 period. Unfortunately the event happened so fast we didn’t have time to acquire type I smocks, M35 helmets and early K98.s for everyone but even so no one could have done what the SBG did on this day in such a short time span. Interestingly, besides gas masks cape bags being worn across the chest ( which was obvious but no one seemed to think of except Schar. Gurowski ) Oscha. Meyer also found out that Y straps were not commonly worn in combat by the Waffen-SS during the early European campaigns and Gren. Barkmann found out that type II smocks were issued in the latter part 1942 and we also found that entrenching tools and full combat kit was carried during street fighting. I re-checked a video of the LAH in action during the Polish, Dutch, French and Greek campaigns which also helped in determining our look for that period .

As part of the enactment, the BBC filmed their presenter Dan Cruickshank introducing the programme in front of our Half-track before the Houses of Parliament.  In various cases some members had to be put at the back of the group so later war items were not so noticeable.  

The initial criteria considered was for some 50 men, a Pz.Kpfw MkII, a Half track, a truck and a motorcycle but this was finally reduced to just the Half track and 12 men due to budget. However, it was decided to involve as many members as possible and 25 active members turned up for the event which was just as well because this meant the BBC could film in different locations simultaneously. A feat that could not have been accomplished in the time limit had we supplied just the 12 men that the BBC had budgeted for.

It was certainly a hands on job for the Half track transformation as well. A number of members spent many evenings and weekends working on the vehicle getting it ready for the filming. These included Rttf. Haller (Mark Harris) who over a period of weeks repaired the brakes, clutch and serviced the Half track to ensure that it was in perfect running order. Strm. Rössler and Gren. Wilcks ( John Redman and Andy Wilkins ) worked on many of the other tasks including preparation for the final spray and spent a lot of hours working on the vehicle, Strm. Wörner was also heavily involved and supervised the colour co-ordination and early war insignia, organised the vehicles transportation and drove the Half track during the filming. Last but not least a final group effort was required to finish the Half track and thanks to Strm. Speidel, Obgren. Liebermann and Stubaf. Jury for a final bout of hard work to finish the vehicle on the preceding Sunday.

We must also not forget our female members who helped out, Wendy for photocopying the maps, writing and inking in directions which were then sent out to members and photographing us all day long and also Rose  who video filmed us the whole day. A fantastic group effort and well done and thank you to all the above members.

And so, the day started with the SBG arriving at 6.30 am and parking in Whitehall place, alongside the original Scotland Yard Police station and opposite Horse Guards Parade no less !. As we pulled up in our cars and saw our trusty Half track parked on the low loader across the road we knew it was all about to happen, the SBG had finally pulled off Operation Sealion (some 60 years late, but better late then never ).

As requested all members turned up wearing most of their uniform and within no time at all 25 fully kitted up members were either on the Half track or marching in front of it down Whitehall. Of course, this has been done before, notably in the excellent Kevin Brownlow film " It happened here " ( c.1965 ) and again in c. 1973 for a similar BBC documentary but, as with " saving private ryan " it was the first time a Living History Society had been used as extras instead of actors and hired uniforms.

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