The V2 did not come into service until some three years after the Battle of Britain proper had ended. But, continuing on, cross-Channel guns were in fact employed. A handful of 15- and 16-inch guns were emplaced in occupied France, with the purpose of both harassing shipping and threatening the English coast. But these were just that: harassment weapons, incapable of significantly affecting the tide of war.

The very longest-ranged coastal artillery guns in German service would only be capable of a maximum range of 40,000-60,000 yards (36-54 kilometers). The latter range was only achievable by use of a special, lightweight shell of lesser effectiveness. Germany possessed only a handful of these very large, hideously expensive guns; the bulk of the coast artillery was significantly shorter ranged. The nearest point between England and the European continent is the Strait of Dover, 33 kilometers distant. Thus, while the very largest, most powerful guns of the era could reach across, they could not penetrate deeply enough inland to disrupt either industry, major population centers, or airfields. This is to say nothing of the dubious accuracy which could be achieved, firing at maximum range without benefit of forward observers capable of adjusting fires. As at sea, the big gun had simply been eclipsed by the airplane.