I've read the 'Sealion' invasion report.
Generally a fine wargame, but I do disagree on one critical point.
The Royal Navy would have sent in the big guns along with the cruisers and destroyers, and most liley enmasse.
Firstly there is the issue of Service pride - that Trafalgar thing that makes the Royal Navy Britains main line of defense. Ok, reality had shifted it to airpower, but the RN would have gone in to prove that they were still the decisive factor. Frankly I can not imagine the RN not throwing the big guns in to such a decisive battle.
The Armada > Trafalgar > Jutland > The Channel 1940.
Anything else would have been unthinkable.
What could be gained from not using them compared to what could be lost?
What is better - loosing a BB or several or loosing the war?
An established bridgehead would have meant defeat for Britain, and the loss of her BB's as well most likely as they would be handed over like the German High seas fleet was in 1918. BB's can be rebuilt should you win.
Bullet mangnets? Yes they would have drawn the Germans like moths to a flame, but every attack on them is an attck not happening to other naval assets. Add in their greater ability to weather such damage and you have a lot of tough nuts to crack. And if they were taken out then by being bullet magnets a larger number of their escort would have got through for the engagement, ships that would have otherwise been the targets and sunk.
Political compulsion.
I can't see Churchill keeping them out - his biggest asset in a sea fight when all over air and land forces are being thrown in to the climatic battle for Britains survival. It's just not him.
So I personally would believe a large Naval force of BB's plus numerous assests would have forced the channel and wrecked havoc. Even with significant loss to the naval forces they would have devestated the invasion fleet.
The invasion would have been a blood bath. Think dunkirk, but with hostile naval forces involved as well!
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