Souvenirs Collected By German Tourists In 1930s Were Used To Plan The Invasion Of Britain By Nazis

In this day and age, the ability to map trips out is child's play. Technology is so advanced that one might not take you to be a tourist. For a spy or invading army, services like this would be invaluable. Adolf Hitler had meticulously detailed maps created for the invasion of Britain. Unless he had a time machine, how did he assemble an invasion blueprint that looked like it was from Google Maps?

Ambassador By Day, Spy By Night.

In 1936, Joachim Von Ribbentrop became Germany's ambassador to England. One of his favorite pastimes was collecting postcards and calendars and sending them back to Hitler. They became the heart of Operation Sealion.

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words.

The postcards revealed critical coastal towns and landmarks in great detail. Anyone landing on those shores would know precisely where to find shelter, cover or an assigned target.

Aerial Photos And Post Card Images Made An Unbeatable Combination.

Aerial photos can be grainy and blocky but combined with an actual picture of the target, you have created a bombardier's dream. Prime industrial targets were Birmingham and Coventry.

On A Clear Day, You Can See Dover.

Hitler planned to seize France's navy and sail across the English Channel to invade England. The detailed maps of Operation Sealion would efficiently guide the attack to victory.

Meticulous Invasion Plans Unfolded.

The German dossier included prominent landmarks such as Bristol Tower, Mersey Tunnel, Windsor Castle, Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Coventry Cathedral.