ABSTRACT
Adolf Hitler announced to the Army command that he had definitely decided on the invasion of England, the operation being designated as “Sea Lion”. Hitler made an official offer of peace to England in a speech in the Reichstag, using the occasion to raise a number of generals to Field-Marshal’s rank. Ultimately Hitler settled the matter by a compromise by which landings north of Dover were abandoned, it being hoped to take Dover from the landward side and presumably also the West Kentish coast. Hitler insisted on November 12th that all preparations should be made within two months, that being the minimum time within which the General Staff could be ready. The argument begun at Hendaye continued for months, and Hitler afterwards said that he would rather have several teeth pulled out than have to negotiate with Franco again.
