Occupied Guernsey - WWII

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These beautiful islands will never forget their ugly past. A time of fear and suppression by a foreign power. But the beauty outshone the war and can be explored to this day.
Filmed: Summer 2022
Music: Scott Buckley - • 'This Too Shall Pass' ...
Entry: Mostly open across Guernsey
---- Short History ----
- The military occupation of the Channel Islands lasted from 30 June 1940 until liberation on 9 May 1945.
- The last troops left the islands on 20 June, departing so quickly that bedding and half-consumed meals were left in Castle Cornet.
- The Channel Islands served no purpose to the Germans other than the propaganda value.
- British government decided that the Channel Islands were of no strategic importance and would not be defended. Thus they gave up the oldest possession of the Crown "without firing a single shot."
- By the 21st of June it became apparent that they couldn’t evacuate everyone and so gave priority to special categories.
- Most evacuated children were separated from their parents. And some were sponsored by wealthy Americans, including one by the first lady.
- After the lieutenant governor evacuated, the bailiff took over the civil functions of government.
- The Germans didn’t realise the islands had been demilitarised.
- One of their reconnaissance flights mistook a line of tomato trucks for troop carriers and had them bombed (28th of June), killing many.
- On the 30th, a reconnaissance pilot landed on Guernsey to test their defences. The decision was later made that the islands were undefended. That evening a platoon of Luftwaffe airmen landed and were met by a Guernsey policeman who handed a letter, signed by the bailiff, stating that Guernsey had been declared an Open Island. These actions prevented the invasion plans that were about to commence.
- Soon after the occupation, Hitler ordered the islands to be reinforced as part of the Atlantic Wall.
- Among paid labour, the Germans transported over 16,000 slave workers to build the fortifications.
- Islanders were compelled to work, despite protests, but eventually the Germans agreed to the Hague Convention stating that no civilian could be compelled to work on military projects.
- The time zone and driving side of the road were changed to be in line with mainland Europe.
- The workers included forces from the Organisation Todt (7,000), slaves, soviet union slaves, and paid labour from the continent. Some resistance members signed up to gain access to intelligence.
- In 1942, against the advice of his Commander-in-Chief, Hitler ordered the Channel Islands become an “impregnable fortress”, directing 1/12 of the Atlantic Wall resources and 10% of the project's concrete and steel to them.
- Fortress Engineers established their HQ at Elizabeth College and stores were set up next to Vale Castle.
- 244,000 cubic meters of rock were extracted from the islands, more than the 225,000 that was extracted from the entire Atlantic Wall.
- Light railways were built to supply the coastal defences.
- The defences included tunnels, anti-tank sea walls, coastal casemates, artillery positions, artillery observation towers, radar units and a mass of trenches, minefields and barbed wire entanglements.
- Up to 250 strongpoints was demanded on Guernsey.
- They used standardised plans at hundreds of sites.
- The Battery Dollmann is one of four 22cm gun pits. With trenches, accommodation and ammunition bunkers. Its guns could reach 23km.
It, like the other batteries, had observation towers, fitted with range finding equipment. However, its system proved unusable with multiple enemies and was abandoned, making some of the towers redundant.
- Throughout the island many specialist bunkers were constructed for phones, power, radio, and command HQs.
- Some positions were camouflaged by part burying them, adding plants and trees, using paint or wire mesh.
- Dummy positions were also set up.
- The allies bypassed the islands due to their heavy fortification. This cut off their supply to France for food and other resources.
- It took months of negotiations but the Red Cross managed to bring in Red Cross parcels to help the starving islanders. Six trips in total with the last after liberation.
- The Germans announced to the Guernsey civilians on the 8th of May 1945 that The War Was Over.
- After the war bomb disposal removed over 69,000 mines.
#Guernsey #WWII #WorldWar #channelislands #AtlanticWall
---- Further Reading ----
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_...
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortifi...
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_...
- www.cam.ac.uk/channelislandsv...
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[@PinnedonPlaces]

A very beautiful homage to the very sad past. Love the way you've filmed and documented this, beautiful 💖💖

[@TheyHadADay]

Thank you

[@ervinslens]

Spectacular scenery, shots are insanely gorgeous. This is stunning!!!

[@TheyHadADay]

Thank you. Its a interesting place to explore

[@andrewayres2968]

I was very moved by this work. I am a proud Guernseyman and I will come back to watch this video every year on 9 May. Thank you for the effort you put into creating it and the quality of your research. You’re going to go far

[@TheyHadADay]

Thank you for your support

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

A beautifully put together and powerful video - thank-you for sharing the sad history of this island - always been wanting to visit here!

[@TheyHadADay]

It's definitely worth a visit. You should go there

[@grego8700]

A truly amazing video this is. Showing the history during the war. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@TheyHadADay]

Thank you 👍

[@ninaelliott9899]

This is such a powerful video. I was so choked up by the end

[@TheyHadADay]

Hello Nina. Thank you for your comment and support.

[@JohnSmith-lf3om]

I never realised there was so much war history with the island. Interesting to know thanks for sharing 👍

[@TheyHadADay]

👍

[@subhamsworld2750]

Very beautifully done with facts...

[@TheyHadADay]

Thank you for your comment and support

[@R118GSiVVC]

Amazing video but, also very sad

[@TheyHadADay]

Yes the history is very sad. Lest we forget

[@chrisbrookesphotography]

Wonderful John

[@TheyHadADay]

Thank you 👍

[@malikalayanviranga9022]

Happy travel 🇱🇰❤️

[@TheyHadADay]

Thank you

[@nevillebougourd4451]

No mention is made of the bombing and strafing of the harbour area or the dead and wounded that day. All of which was totally unnecessary as it had been declared an open (undefended) island. Something my family will never forget as one of them, a local Police Officer, died whilst tending the wounded.

[@TheyHadADay]

Hello Neville So sorry to hear about your family member. It was a truly tragic day. I have family in Guernsey too. I tried to add it into the video but struggled to do the day justice whilst keeping the flow of the video. There is so much to say about what happened. It has been included in the short history within the description though. Thank you for bringing that day to attention. It must never be forgotten.