THE OUTCOME of World War II was drastically altered after Adolf Hitler was talked out of a plot to invade the Isle of Wight, a historian claims.

Analysis of German military records reveal that Hitler was the first to suggest the plan, which could have provided his forces with a launch pad to bombard Britain.

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Hitler was talked out of the plan to invade the mainland by his naval commandersCredit: Alamy
Military historian Dr Robert Forczyk believes the British would have struggled to defend the island and would not have had the resources available to take it back.

This would have given the Germans a base just four miles from shore as well as access to vital civilian airfields, giving a greater possibility of success for their plan to invade the mainland, known as Operation Sea Lion.

Hitler was talked out of the plan to invade the mainland by his naval commanders, who feared the might of British submarines and overestimated the number of British soldiers.

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A smaller invasion of the Isle of Wight following the Luftwaffe’s defeat in the Battle of Britain was also not ruled outCredit: Getty Images
However, a smaller invasion of the Isle of Wight following the Luftwaffe’s defeat in the Battle of Britain was not ruled out.

And in Dr Forczyk’s new book, We March Against England, he claims this could have been a successful “tactical surprise”.

He said: “Holding the Isle of Wight offered considerable advantages that could have increased the feasibility of Operation Sea Lion.

“First, German artillery deployed on the north side of the Isle of Wight could shell the mainland across the Solent and force the Royal Navy to withdraw its cruiser-destroyer forces from the naval base at Portsmouth.

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If Hitler had invaded, the British would have struggled to defend the island