LIVINGWITHTHEENEMYAnoutlineoftheGermanOccupationoftheChannelIslandswithfirsthandaccountsbypeoplewhoremembertheyears1940to1945

RoyMcLoughlin

CHANNELISLANDPUBLISHINGwww.channelislandpublishing.comFirstpublishedbyStarlightPublishingin1995Thiseditionpublishedin2005

ChannelIslandPublishingUnit3BBaretteCommercialCentreLaRoutedeMontMadoStJohn,Jersey,JE34DS

CoverdesignandoverallproductionbySimonWatkinsPagedesignandtypesettingbySeaflowerBooksBradfordonAvon,WiltshirePrintedbyCromwellPressTrowbridge,Wiltshire,England

©1995and2005SimonWatkinsAllrightsresevred.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise,withoutpriorpermissionofSimonWatkins.

ISBN0952565900Publisher’sNote

EffortsweremadetoobtainpermissiontoquotetwoshoirtexcerptsfromIslandsinDangerbyAlanandMarySeatonWoodamountingtofiveandtwenty-onewordsrespectively.ThecopyrightwasoriginallyheldbyEvansBrothersof2APortmanMansions,ChilternStreet,London,W1.Thefirmadvisesthatitdoesnotpossessrecordsrelatingtotheoriginalpublicationin1955ofIslandsinDangerandthat,inplaceofitsauthorization,thisprovisoshouldbepublishedhere.

ToAdaandDonaldLeGallaiswhosemanyrecollectionsinspiredthisbook.

Forhistoricalsupervisionthepublisher’sthanksareduetoMichaelGinnsM.B.E.

oftheChannelIslandsOccupationSociety....thetumultandtheshoutingdies;thecaptainsandthekingsdepart...

Kipling’sRecessional...theraceisnottotheswiftnorthebattletothestrong...EcclestiastesIXTimeandthehourrunthroughtheroughestday...Macbeth.Act1,Scene3.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements8ForewordbyJackHiggins9

Part1:THEPEOPLEChapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter911OpeningMoves13RaidersfromtheSky21Churchill’sMissionaries28WaysandMeans60TheFirstYear66SecretRadios&Deportations74TheYearofFate98IslandsUnderSiege108LiberationandAftermath119

Part2:THEBACKGROUND147Chapter10

Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15Chapter16StormWarnings149TheSinewsofGovernment156FoodandHealth162BargainingandCompromise167Hitler’sIslandProjects173MovesbehindtheScenes179End-Game183

Part3:THEGERMANS195Chapter17Close-upoftheOccupiers197Chapter18ArgumentsandConclusions208

Abouttheauthor218Bibliography219Index220

AcknowledgementsPlates:Pages2,36-59,88-97,126-146,188-193.Thepublishersacknowledge,withthanks,permissiontoreproducephotographssuppliedby:

Bundesarchiv,GermanyCarelTomsCollectionChannelIslandsMilitaryMuseumImperialWarMuseumJerseyEveningPostSociétéJersiaisePhotographicArchiveChannelIslandsOccupationSocietyPriaulxLibrary,GuernseyRichardMayneCollectionFranzZurhorstCollection

Foreword

byJackHigginsT

heChannelIslandsholdauniqueplaceinBritishhistory,notleastbecauseduringtheSecondWorldWartheyweretheonlypartoftheBritishIslestobeoccupiedbytheNazis.ForfivelongyearstheSwastikaflewhereinplaceofthe

occupiedbytheNazis.ForfivelongyearstheSwastikaflewhereinplaceoftheUnionJackandalltheworstexcessesofNazirulewerepresentinsomeformorother.

Theironfistinthevelvetglovepolicydidnotlastlong.TheSecretFieldPoliceemployedGestapooperativesonsecondmentandmanyIslanderssoonexperiencedthehorroroftheearlymorningknockonthedoorleadingtobrutalinterrogationinamannerfamiliarelsewhereinoccupiedEurope.

OnlythosewhoexperiencedtheOccupationknowtheanguishofitandithasalwaysbeenparticularlydistressingtothosewholivedthroughitwhenoutsiderscomplainthattherewasnoresistancemovementintheIslands.LogicalonemakesitclearthatsuchactionwassimplynotpossibleinsosmallanareaandyetmanythousandsofChannelIslandersreceivedprisonsentencesofonekindoranotherforcontraveningthelawofthejackboot.TobeaJewwasacrimeundertheanti-SemiticlawsandevenkeepingaradiotolistentotheBBCnewsbroadcastsmeantastiffprisonsentence.

ManyIslanderswentfurther,assistingRussianslaveworkersandothersontherun,eventuallybeingsentencedtotermsinFrenchprisonsorconcentrationcampssuchasRavensbruckandBelsen.Insomecasestheydiedthere.

Asinalloccupiedcountriesasmallnumberofpeoplecollaboratedwiththeenemy.ThatfactismeaninglesswhenconsideredinthecontextoftheunfailingloyaltyofthevastmajorityofChannelIslanderswhostubbornlypersistedinthefaceofarmedmightandbruteforceinfightingtheirownwarofnonco-operation.Theyneverlostfaithintheirbeliefthatonedayliberationwouldcome.

LivingwiththeEnemyisastunningaccountofhowasmallpopulationwithabeliefinthemselves,theirownintegrityandloyaltytotheCrownwereabletostanduptoacountrywhichatthetimecontrolledthewholeofEuropebutmostimportantlyplayedtheirownpartintheeventualdestructionoftheThirdReich.

AboutJackHigginsMasterthrillerwriterandinternationalbestsellerJackHigginshaswrittenmanypoliticalandwarnovelstotallingnearlyseventytitles.Manyhavebeen

translatedinto60languagesand13ofthesehavebeentransformedfrompagetoscreenintheformoffilmsorseries.ArguablythemostsuccessfulisTheEaglehasLandedwhichhassoldwellover50millioncopiestodate.JackHigginshaslivedinJerseyforover24yearsandinwhichtimehastakenaspecialinterestintheGermanOccupationoftheChannelIslands.HeisalsothePatronofTheJerseyFilmSociety.

Part1

ThePeoplewithgratefulacknowledgementstoallpersonsinterviewed

Chapter1OpeningMoves

T

heyear1940issimplyadateinthehistorybooksformostpeopleofthegenerationbornsincethewar.Forthemitstandsforalistofhistoricalevents-theevacuationfromDunkirk,theBattleofBritainandtheblitzonLondon.Butforotherslivingatthetime1940markedthebeginningofanewchapterintheirlives.TherearemenandwomenintheChannelIslandswhosememorieswillalwaysgobacktotheNaziOccupationinallitsphases,fromtheinvasionundertheblueskiesofmidsummertothedramaticlastdaysfiveyearslaterasHitler’sarmycollapsedintheruinsofGermany.

armycollapsedintheruinsofGermany.

IslanderswhowerethenchildrenorteenagerswillneverforgetthesightofGermansoldiersmarchinginthestreetsofSt.HelierandSt.PeterPort,accompaniedbytheblaringbrassofmilitarybands.AfewSarkeesstillspeakoftroopsinuniformkitstrollingalongtheAvenueorpatrollingtheSarkcliffs.

Itallhappenedlongagoandnowseemsasinsubstantialasadream.WiththepassingyearsmoreandmorepeopledisappearfromtheranksofthelivingandtheirmemoriesoftheGermanOccupationgowiththem.Yetitseemsthatanaccountoftheyears1940to1945shouldcontainthepersonalexperiencesofindividualsintheIslandswhilerelatingthemtothewiderperspectiveofEuropeatwar.VictoriesanddefeatsasgreatarmiespursueeachotheracrosstheContinentandinAfricaprovideamatrixforthemaineventsofthetimebutacloserviewofwhattheconflictdidtolifeintheChannelIslandsshowswhatisnowhistoryinhumanterms.Therealitiesofdailylifeunderanalienmilitarypower,withallitsrulesandregulations,bringsintofocusbothIslandersandGermansinthisill-assortedwartimecommunity.

ItwasinthenineteenthirtiesthatthefirstsignsappearedofthestormtocomewhenatidalwaveofconquestwouldsweepoverwesternEuropeandeventuallyengulftheChannelIslands.HitlerbecameChancellorofGermanyin1933.AlmostatoncethenewNaziadministrationtookovertheArmyandcivilaffairs,extendingtototalcontrolofnewspapers,books,radioandfilms,thusensuringthatHitler’smessagewentoutloudandcleartoeveryoneintheland.

Asifthiswerenotenough,thenewMinisterofPropaganda,DrJosephGoebbels,devisedthespectacleofthemassrallywheremarchingtroops,speechesandpatrioticsongsarousedawildadorationoftheFühreramongthethousandsassembledontheseoccasionsandspreadapowerfulnationalismthroughoutthecountryamongmillionslisteningtotheradio.

EveryNazirallyhadasitsclimaxtheappearanceofHitlerhimself,stagemanagedbyDrGoebbelstolooklikeamiraculousvisitation.WhenHitlerspokehemesmerisedhispeopleasifgiftedwithastrangepowereventhoughhisactualwordswerehardlymorethananhystericalrepetitionofboasts,threatsandaccusationsagainsttheleadersofneighbouringcountries.AttheBerlinSportsPalacein1937headdressedtherallyinhistypicaltheatricalstyle.

Germanywilltakeitsrightfulplaceintheworld.Imakethispromisetothe

Germanpeople.IshallneversubmitmydestinyandthedestinyofGermanytothedictatesofthoseinEuropewhocallthemselvesstatesmen.Thesesmall-mindednonentitiescannotevenprovidetheirownpeoplewiththenecessitiesoflifeandyettheyrulethreequartersoftheworld.Theyarethemenof1918whobetrayedtheGermannation.IwillnotallowGermanytocontributetotheprofitsoftheLondonStockExchangeandinternationalJewry.Thisinfamousplutocraticcliquewouldcondemnustostarvation.Butsuchcrimescannotgoon.Ourarmywillhavethegreatest,themostmodernweaponsintheworld.Ipromisethis.WeshallbeunitedinourstruggleforagreaterGermany.EinVolk.EinReich.EinFührer.

Theapplause,theshoutsandthefanfareswhichalwaysfollowedaHitlerspeechandthewell-drilledchorusofSiegHeilsshouldhavewarnedtheGovernmentsofBritainandFrancethatadangerousbeastwasstirringtheheartofGermany.Butdisagreementsbetweenpoliticians,bothBritishandFrench,causedaparalysisamongthosetryingtoworkoutapolicyfordealingwiththeNazimenace.

Inthemeantime,theGermanArmywasonthemove.IthadmarchedintothedemilitarisedzoneoftheRhinelandagainsttheprovisionsofaninternationaltreaty.ToHitlerinternationaltreatiesweremerelyscrapsofpapertobetornupwheninconvenient.Austriawasthenexttobetakenover-thentheGermanspeakingareaofCzechoslovakiaandfinallytheentirecountryfromendtoend.

ThegovernmentsofFranceandBritainpreferredtocondonetheGermanexpansionintoCentralEuroperatherthanriskawar.Bythesummerof1939HitlerwasdemandingtheportofDanzigandonSeptember1stGermanforcescrossedthefrontierofPoland.

AtlastactionhadtobetakenbecausePoland’sfrontiershadbeenguaranteedjointlybyBritainandFrance.OnSundaymorning,September3rd,peoplealloverBritainswitchedontheirradiosetstohearthePrimeMinister,NevilleChamberlain,makehisfatefulannouncementtothenation.

IamspeakingtoyoufromthecabinetroominDowningStreet.ThismorningtheBritishAmbassadorinBerlinhandedtheGermanGovernmentafinalnotestatingthatunlessweheardfromthembyeleveno’clockthattheywerepreparedatoncetowithdrawtheirtroopsfromPolandastateofwarwouldexistbetweenus.Ihavetotellyounowthatnosuchundertakinghasbeen

receivedandthatconsequentlythiscountryisatwarwithGermany.

WhiletheGermanswereannihilatingthePolisharmyinadrivetowardsWarsaw,aBritishExpeditionaryForcetookupdefensivepositionsinnorthernFranceandtheFrenchArmyoccupieditsfortsintheMaginotlinebetweenLuxembourgandSwitzerland.Theautumnandthewintercamewithoutincident.Allwasquietonthewesternfront.Intheearlymonthsof1940nooneintheChannelIslandsimaginedthatthewarcouldspreadovergreatareasofFranceasfarasNormandyandbeyond.

JerseyandGuernseyseemedfarawayfromthebattlefrontsandhoteliersandguesthouseproprietorsmadereadyforthe1940summerseason.Itwasbusinessasusual.TheJerseyTourismofficeadvertisedtheIslandasthebestchoiceforwartimeholidaysthatyear.InGuernseyasimilarairofoptimismprevailed.OneGuernseymansaid:“WeneverthoughttheGermanswouldcomehere.Werealisedwemightbebombedfromtimetotimebutanactualinvasionwasunthinkable.”

ThefirstintimationofanythingamisscameinthemonthofMaywhennewsoftheGermanbreakthroughintoBelgiumsentshockwavesthroughtheAlliedHighCommand.InjustoverafortnighttheGermanshadencircledtheChannelportsbutcouldnotpreventthehistoricrescueofmostoftheBritishExpeditionaryForcefromthebeachesofDunkirk.

ItwasthefirstweekofJunewhencontingentsoftheGermanArmycrossedtheSeineatQuillebeuf.TheBailiffofJersey,AlexanderCoutanche,heardthenewsfromtheAttorneyGeneralwhohadaradiosetinhisofficenearby.Quillebeufwasnotsofaraway.IftheGermanshadcrossedtherivertheywerecloserthananyonehadthoughtpossible.CoutanchewentatoncetotheLieutenantGovernorwhotelephonedtotheHomeOfficeinWhitehalltofindoutwhatwasbeingdonefortheprotectionoftheIslands.

InGuernseyalsotheauthoritiesreactedtothenews.AnumberofexperiencedpeopleintheStatesandinofficialpositionscombinedtoconstitutewhatwascalledtheControllingCommittee,headedbyGuernsey’sProcureur(AttorneyGeneral)who,astheBailiff’sdeputy,hadtakenoverthedirectionofcivilaffairs.HisnamewasAmbroseSherwill,amansoontobepersonallyinvolvedintheIsland’scalamities.Thefirstquestionwas-shouldthepopulationbeevacuatedtoEnglandand,ifso,couldtheevacuationbecompletedbeforethe

GermansarrivedonthenearbycoastofFrance?

EventswereproceedingataneveracceleratingpaceinJersey.TheLieutenantGovernorreceivedaWarOfficemessagesayingthatthousandsofmenbelongingtothesoutherngroupoftheBritishExpeditionaryForcewerestrandedinSt.MaloandindangerofcapturebytheadvancingGermanArmy.TheAdmiraltywantedJerseytomountareliefoperationwithallavailableships,largeandsmall,ashadbeendoneatDunkirk.TheJerseyBailiff,AlexanderCoutanche,telephonedtheCommodoreofSt.HelierYachtClubandthenrangtheHarbourOfficewhichalertedtheCompanyofTownPilots.Theorganisationofalittlearmadahadbegun.

OnJune17ththefirstboatssetsail.Bythenextdaytherewereseventeenyachts,sevencargoships(normallycarryingpotatoes)andaRoyalNavytorpedoboatwithacapacityforsevenmen.AcrossatSt.Malothelargervesselsdroppedanchoroutsidetheportintheroads,beingunabletogetthroughthelocks.ItwasthetaskofthelittleshipstoferrythemenacrosstothewaitingtransportswhichthenmadethevoyagebacktoJersey.Atotalof21,474cameoutfromSt.Malo.Thelasttoleaveweretheengineerswhohadstayedtoblowuptheoilstoragetanks.

InJerseyrumoursweregoingaroundthatamassevacuationfromtheIslandwasbeingprepared.AlexanderCoutanchenowshowedhisqualitiesofleadershipasBailiff.Hemadespeechesatstreetcornersinthetown,intheRoyalSquareandinthecountryparishes,sayingthatshipswouldbecomingforthosewhowantedtoleavebut,asforhimself,heandhiswifewerestayingon.HeaddedthataslongastheUnionJackwasflyingonthemastatFortRegenthecouldoffereveryoneadegreeofsafety.AndiftherecameadaywhentheflaghadtobeloweredhepromisedthathewouldbeattheFortpersonallytohaulitdown.

AtthistimeofgreatestperilfortheChannelIslandstherewaslittlehelpfromLondon.Whitehallwasinastateofconfusion.Differentdepartmentswerefollowingdifferentpolicies.TheWarOfficethoughtthattheIslandsneedednothingmorethandemilitarisationtoprotectthemfrombombardment.TheHomeOfficewantedthedemilitarisationannouncementtobemadeatoncetosavetheIslandsfromaGermanonslaughtwithconsequentlossoflife.ButtheWarOfficedelayedtheannouncementwhich,theythought,wouldbeasignalfortheGermanstowalkin.

TheDirectorofSeaTransportunderstoodtheHomeOfficetosaythat

TheDirectorofSeaTransportunderstoodtheHomeOfficetosaythatevacuationwasunnecessarybutsomeoneonanothertelephonelineinthesamedepartmenttoldtheBailiffsofJerseyandGuernseythatshippingwouldbeprovidedforeveryone.ThiswasnotthestoryputoutbytheMinistryofHomeSecuritywhichdeclaredthatonlywomenandchildrenweretogo.Finally,theissuewasfurtherconfusedbytheMinistryofFoodsayingthattherewouldbenofoodshortagesintheIslands.

PeopleinJerseynoticedthatthesoldiersrescuedfromSt.MalodidnotdigintodefendtheIsland.InsteadtheyweresentbacktoEngland.TheLieutenantGovernor,aGeneralintheBritishArmy,alsowentawayasdidallNavyandAirForcepersonnelinaccordancewiththedemilitarisationorderwhichhadstillnotbeenannouncedpublicly.Anuneasyfeelingofnearpanicsetin.Localbankswerethrongedwithpeopletryingtodrawouttheirdeposits.£300,000worthofbanknotescameinfromLondontokeepreservesabovedemand,eventhoughawithdrawallimitof£25hadbeensettostemtheflow.

WhentheevacuationshipsarrivedinSt.HelierharbourtheyaddedtotheatmosphereofcatastrophewhichovershadowedthedailyaffairsoftheIsland.LeslieSinel,authorofthediaryofeventsentitled“TheGermanOccupationOfJersey,”rememberstheticketqueuesandthecrowdsmillingroundtheharbourpiers.

Theyannouncedtheevacuationonthe19thofJune.PeoplecouldgototheTownHallandgetticketsfortheboatswhichtheysenttotakeawaythepopulation.Somewentandsomedidn’t.Onewasn’ttoosure,exactlywhattodo.Ihadboughtmyhouse.Mymother-inlawwasseventy.Mysonwasjustborn.Itwasaterribledecision.

InGuernseythenumberofpeoplegoingawaywassomewhatlargerthaninJerseybutthepassengersonthewholewereverymuchthesamewives,childrenandyoungmenofmilitaryagewhoweregoingtoEnglandtojointheforces.Butuncertaintyandindecisionhauntedeveryone.UnofficialpostersappearedonwallsinSt.PeterPortsaying:“Whygomad?There’snoplacelikehome.”AGuernseybusinessman,FrankStroobant,hasavividmemoryofthosedaysofturmoil.

Manylikemyselfstayedbecausewedidn’tknowwhattodo.Wewereinastateofconfusion.Wefeltthatifwegotthewomenandchildrenoutwecouldfollowlater-becausewedidn’texpecttobeoccupied.Weexpectedtogettheoddair

raid,likeMalta,butwedidn’texpecttobefullyoccupied.Now,ofcourse,Icanlookbackandimaginewhyithappened.TotheGermans-andparticularlytoHitler-itwasafantasticvictory,apropagandavictorybeyondhiswildestdreams-occupyingpartoftheBritishEmpirewithoutanygreatlossoflife.Imustsay,indefenceoftheGermans,therewasnorealbrutalityinGuernseybytheoccupyingforces.IalwayshadthefeelingthattheyrespectedtheEnglish.Infact,IthinkthereisahappierrelationshipbetweentheGermansandtheEnglishthanwithmanyotherpeoplebecausewearecloselyrelated.Buttherewasstillalotofprivationandthingsgotsteadilyworse.AndsoIthinktheevacuationwasanexcellentidea.

AlderneyandSarkpresentedquitedifferentproblemsduringthisfatalweek.The1400inhabitantsofAlderney,isolatedbydistanceandlackoftransportbothfromGuernseyandEngland,wereyetonlyeightmilesfromFrance.ItwasthenearestIslandtotherapidlyapproachingenemyandsoundsofgunfireweresoontobeheardinthedistance.TomakemattersworsepanicstrickenFrenchrefugeesarrivedinfishingboatswiththeirchildrenandtheirpatheticbundlesofbelongings.

ThePresidentoftheAlderneyStates,JudgeFrench,wasanex-soldierandamanofcourageandcommonsense.ToabandontheIslandandtakeeveryoneawayseemedtobethebestcourseofactionbuthecalledapublicmeetingandaskedforvotesonstayingorleaving.Almosttheentirepopulationvotedforgoing.

Cattleanddomesticpetswereanimmediateproblem.TheIsland’sfarmersleftbehindsixhundredbeasts,someturningtheircattleloosetowanderatwill.Peopletookdomesticpetstothebutchertobeslaughtered.Finally,somehouseholdersburiedvaluablesintheirgardensbeforeembarkingontherescueshipsforEngland.Theywentwithalmostnothing.Twosuitcasesperpersonwastherule.StragglerswhomissedthelastshipclamberedaboardtheGuernseylifeboatwhicharrivedsomedayslater.ItscrewfoundcowswanderinginthemainstreetofSt.Anne,bellowingwithpainbecausetheirudderswerealmostburstingwithtoomuchmilk.Theywereshottoputthemoutoftheiragony.Alderneywasnowadesertlandwithonlyremnantsofitshumanhabitation.

ThelittleIslandofSarkfacedthesituationinadifferentway.Its471inhabitantsdecidedtostayputundertheleadershipoftheformidableSybilHathaway,LaDamedeSercq.AsSeigneurofSarkshepossessedfeudalrightsovertheentireIslandandbelievedthatshecouldmanagetheGermansjustaswellasshe

managedherownpeople.Herattitudetothecrisiswassummedupinafewwords.Shesaid:“Onedoesnotleaveone’sland.”

NotfarawayGermantanksrumbledacrossNormandywhiletheChannelIslandslaybecalmedinthegoldenhazeofperfectsummerweather.InGuernseythetomatoeswereripening,farmgirlswerepackingearlypotatoesinJerseyandthebuttercupsandredcampionsfloweredinthehedgerows.

Chapter2RaidersFromTheSky

D

uringthelasttendaysofJunethreeentirelyseparategroupsofpeoplewerebusymakingplans.First,therewastheWarCabinetinLondondeciding,ontheadviceoftheChiefsofStaff,towithdrawalldetachmentsofthearmedforcesfromtheIslandsastheycouldnotbedefendedsuccessfullyagainstavastlysuperiorGermanArmy.Whenthetimecame-butnotatonce-demilitarisationwouldbedeclaredofficially.

ThesecondgroupwasatGermanNavalHeadquarters,NorthernFrance.AdmiralKarlgeorgSchusteroftheKriegsmarinehadthetaskofsupervisingtheinvasionoftheIslandsbecauseoperationsacrosstheseanaturallyfelltotheNavy.Hisdeputy,AdmiralEugenLindau,wascollectingintelligencereportsandaerialphotographspurportingtoshowmilitaryinstallationsinJerseyandGuernsey.Anestimatehadtobemadeofwhatdegreeofresistanceaninvasionforcewouldmeet.

DistantfromboththeWarCabinetandtheKriegsmarineheadquarters,athirdgroupalsoconsideredthepossibilityofaninvasion.ThemenandwomenstillgoingabouttheirdailylivesintheChannelIslandswerethepeoplewhohadanoverridingconcernaboutthefuture.ManythoughttheymightstillbeabletogettoEnglandifthesituationbecamecritical.Fewcouldforeseehoweventswouldovertakethem.

Onthe24thJunealetterfromKingGeorgeVIreachedtheBailiffsofGuernseyandJersey.Itwasexpectedtocoincidewiththelongawaiteddeclarationofdemilitarisationbut,infact,itscontentshadnotbeenmadepublicontheradioorinthenewspapers.HisMajestywroteasfollows:

ForstrategicreasonsithasbeenfoundnecessarytowithdrawtheArmedForcesfromtheChannelIslands.IdeeplyregretthisnecessityandIwishtoassuremypeopleintheIslandsthat,intakingthisdecision,myGovernmenthasnotbeenunmindfuloftheirposition.Itisintheirintereststhatthestepshouldbetakeninpresentcircumstances.ThelongassociationoftheIslandswiththeCrownandtheloyalservicethepeopleoftheIslandshaverenderedtomyancestorsandmyselfareguaranteesthatthelinkbetweenuswillremainunbrokenandIknowthatmypeopleintheIslandswilllookforwardwiththesameconfidenceasIdotothedaywhentheresolutefortitudewithwhichwefaceourpresentdifficultieswillreaptherewardofvictory.

ThisnotificationdidnotreachtheGermanHighCommandandAdmiralSchuster,inchargeoftheChannelIslandsoperation,assumedthattroopsandgunswerestillinplace.Heandhisdeputylookedagainattheaerialphotographsanddecidedtolayonanairraidtotestthedefences.

LateintheafternoonofJune28thsixHeinkelbombersflewoverJerseyandGuernsey,attackingmainlytheharboursatSt.HelierandSt.PeterPort.RowsoflorriescontainingtomatoeswerelineduponthequayinGuernsey.TheGermansmistookthemformilitarywagonsofonekindoranother-probablyforammunition,theythought.ThelorrieswerestandingonthenortharmoftheharbourknownastheWhiteRock.FrankStroobantwho,amongotherventures,ranacafénearbysawtheairattackatcloserange.

Wewereallinthecafé.ThefirsttimeIrealiseditwasanairraidwaswhenallthewindowscamein.Theywereblitzedbymachinegunbullets.Lookingout,wecouldseeablazeontheWhiteRockwhereallthelorrieswereburning.Inthecaféitwasageneralpanic-everybodyonthefloor.ButafterthefirstburstImanagedtogetthemdownintothecellar.Idon’tthinktheairraidlastedmorethantenminutesattheverymost.Butwenaturallyexpectedthemtoreturnandfinishthejoboff-whichtheydidn’tdo.Theairraidwardencameintomeandsaid:“Frank,thisisamess.”AndIlookedoutandsawthatbythistimetheWhiteRockwasapallofsmoke.Andthatiswherethecasualtieshappenedbecausemanyofthelorrydrivershad,forsafety,divedundertheirvehiclesand,ofcourse,whentheyweremachinegunnedthepetroltanksexploded.

Atthetimeoftheairraid,Guernsey’sProcureurandHeadoftheControllingCommittee,AmbroseSherwill,wasinhisofficeoverlookingtheharbour.HewasspeakingonthetelephonetohisoppositenumberinWhitehall,Charles

Markbreiter,whowasinclinedtothinkthattheChannelIslandswereinnoimmediatedanger.SherwillbrokeofftheconversationandheldthetelephoneoutofthewindowsothatMarkbreitercouldhearthestutteringrattleofmachineguns.

OverinJerseyalineoflorriesonthequaysidealsoattractedtheattentionofthebomberpilots.AgaintheGermanssuspectedthemofbeingmilitarytrucksfortransportingammunitionwhereas,infact,theycontainedpotatobarrels.Astheplanesflewintheyrippedthroughthepotatoeswithmachinegunfireanddroppedbombsaroundtheharbour,settingfiretoNorman’sstoreandwarehouseastheyroaredoveratalmostroofheight.

OnewitnesstothehavocanddestructionwasDrAverellDarling,theResidentMedicalOfficerondutyattheJerseyGeneralHospital.Theafternoonoftheairraidisstillinhismemory.

IwasinthemalesurgicalwarddealingwithapatientwhenIheardthenoiseofplanes.IlookedoutofthewindowandsawthreeHeinkelbombers.AsIwatchedIsawbombsbeginningtofall.IleftthepatientandwentthroughthehospitaldowntoCasualty.AndalmostasIgottherethefirstvictimarrived.Hehadagreatholeblowninthesideofhischestandhediedwithinamatterofmoments.Fiftypercentofthosewhowereadmittedtothehospitalandwhodiedwerekilledbybombs.Theotherhalfdiedfrommachinegunbullets.

YvetteColey,oftheJerseyFarmersCo-Operative,isanotheronewhorememberstheafternoonwhentheGermanplanescameover.

AtthetimeIwasworkingwithmyfatheratthepotatowarehouseontheNewNorthQuay.WhentheexplosionscametherewerefallingbitsofmasonryandbricksfromNorman’sbuildingwhichcamecrashingthroughourglassroof.ThegirlswhowerepackingpotatoesscreamedinpanicandItookthemovertoCastleStreetwheremostofthemlived.Theywantedtogetbackquicklybecausesomehadchildrenathome.Onmywaybacktothewarehousetheplanescameagain,firingtheirmachineguns.IduckeddownbehindsomeredboxesthatusedtostandattheWeighbridge.

AnotheraccountoftheairraidcomesfromErnestWatson,onetimeConnétableofSt.Clement.

IwasinKensingtonPlacewhenthebombsfellonNorman’s.FromwhereIwas

–abouthalfamileaway–Icouldseethesmokeofafireandtherewasalotofdustjustafterthebombs.Icouldhearmachineguns.Itseemedprettyserious.Iwentstraightbackhometoseeifmywifeandchildrenwereallright.AsIwasHeadA.R.P.WardeninSt.ClementIthenwentontoourheadquartersattheNewEracinema.Noneoftheotherwardensturnedup.They’dallgonetoseethefireworks.

ThateveningWinstonChurchill’sWarCabinetreleasedtheinformationthattheChannelIslandshadbeendemilitarised.Itwasacaseofboltingthestabledoorafterthehorsehadgone.Twenty-ninepeoplediedintheattackonGuernseyandnineinJersey.Inaddition,numerouswoundedwererecoveringinthehospitals.ThustheChannelIslandsshedtheirfirstbloodinthecatastrophiceventsoftheforties.

ThespatterofbulletsandthesmokeanddebrisfromshatteredbuildingsmeantonlyonethingtotheIslanders-thattheenemywasatthedoor.TotheGermanairforceitmeantsomethingelse.Itmeantthattherewerenoanti-aircraftgunsintheareaandthatprobablymeantnodefencesatall.Evenso,AdmiralSchusteratGermanNavalHeadquarterscouldnotbelievethattheBritishChannelIslandswerewithoutmilitarydefencesofanykind.Besides,therehadbeennoannouncementofdemilitarisation.IthadbeenmentionedaspartofaBBChomenewsbulletinbuttheGermanswerequiteunawareofit.AdmiralSchusterthoughtthatthelackofresponsetotheairbombardmentwasprobablydeliberateandatraptolurehisforcesontothebeacheswheretheywouldbepickedoffastheylanded.

Itwasthisexcessofcautionwhichdelayedtheinvasionforafurthertwodays.TheAdmiralandhisdeputywerebroodingoverintelligencereportswhiletheGermanAirForceflewmorereconnaissanceflightsovertheIslands.Ayoungpilot,noticingthatGuernseyairportseemedtobedeserted,camedownandlandedontherunway.Aquicklookroundthemainbuildingconfirmedthattheplacewasempty.ThatwasproofenoughthatGuernseywasundefended.

HeclimbedintohisplaneandflewstraightbacktoLuftwaffeheadquartersatCherbourgwherehiscommanderhastilyorganisedaninvasionforceofgroundtroopsandpackedthemintotransportplanesfortheflightovertoGuernsey.TherewassomedifficultyinlandingbecausecowsweregrazingattheendofthegrassrunwaybuttheplanesscaredthemawayandtheAirForcecommandersoonestablishedhisheadquartersinSt.PeterPort’sRoyalHotel.

ThustheGermanAirForcehadthehonourofbeingthefirsttotakeoverasmallpartofBritain.ThisannoyedAdmiralSchusterwhowasstillassessingintelligencereportsandplanninganavalassault.ThenextstageinhisroutinewasthedroppingofthreecopiesofanultimatumfromtheairoverJersey.SurrenderhadtobesignalledbywhitesheetshangingoutofwindowsandwhitecrossespaintedontheRoyalSquareandattheairport.

SomanysheetsflutteredinthebreezefromwindowsinSt.HelierthatthereplytoAdmiralSchusterwasquiteclear.Noonewantedanotheraerialbombardment.ThenextdaytheBailiff,AlexanderCoutanche,wassummonedtotheairporttomeettheGermansandreceivethesurrenderconditions.ItwastimeforhimtohauldowntheUnionJackatFortRegent.

Guernsey’sBailiff,VictorCarey,beingelderlyandnotingoodhealth,hadabdicatedfromdaytodaydecisionmakingandhadvestedhisauthorityintheControllingCommittee.ThusAmbroseSherwill,asheadoftheCommittee,becamethemantosurrendertheIslandtotheinvaders.TheGermanCommandantforGuernseywasMajorDr.AlbrechtLanz,awelleducatedmanwithaninterestintheartsandphilosophy.HeandSherwilltooktoeachotherfromthestart,afortunatecircumstancewhichhelpedintherunningofIslandaffairs.

SherwillhadbeenanofficerintheBritishArmyduringtheFirstWorldWar.Hehadbeendecoratedforgallantryinactionandhadninewarwoundsinhisbody.WhenhefirstmetMajorLanz,hebroughtwithhimhismedalsandputthemdownonthetable,sayingthathehadoncebeenasoldierhimselfandadded:“IbitterlyregretthatIamonenolongerbutthereisn’tarifleintheisland.NowIrealisethatImustobeyorders.”

ThegestureappealedtoMajorLanz.Itwasthefirststepinanecessarydiplomaticrelationship.TheleadersofthethreemainIslandsdealtwiththeGermansindifferentways.AmbroseSherwillbelievedinmaintainingfriendlyrelationsandonlyinmattersofseriousdisputewouldherefertotheHagueConventionwhichlaiddowntherightsandobligationsofbothpartiesinastateofwar.InJerseyAlexanderCoutanchewasmoreformal,verymuchtheexperiencedlawyerdealingwithadifficultjudge.HewasfeelinghiswayandfindingoutjusthowmuchpowerhecouldhaveasaleaderoftheIslandpopulation.ItwasquitedifferentinSark.WhereasAlexanderCoutancheandAmbrose

Sherwillhadbeensummonedtoreceivethesurrendertermsatplacesoftheenemy’schoosing,SybilHathaway,theSeigneurofSark,didnotevenconsidergoinganywheretomeettheinvaders.Onthecontrary,theyhadtocometoheratherhouse,theSeigneurie.ShereceivedtheGermansasiftheywereforeignvisitorscomingtopaytheirrespects.LatersherecalledthedaywhenthefirsttwoGermanofficersarrived.Shewassittinginherdrawingroomandcouldseehermaidacrossthehallopeningthefrontdoor.AstheGermanscameintheywipedtheirfeetonthedoormat.That,shethought,wasagoodsign.FromthismomentonshehadtheGermanseatingoutofherhand,moreespeciallybecauseshespoketheirlanguagefluently.ThereweretobeembarrassingdifficultieslateronbecauseofaCommandoraidwhichupsetallgoodarrangementsinSarkbutthatwastohappentwoyearsintothefuture.Nowitwasstillthesummerof1940.ReactioninLondontotheinvasionoftheChannelIslandsvariedfromthematteroffactviewoftheWarOffice(thattheIslandswereofnostrategicimportance)tothecolourfulspeechesofoutragebyLordPortseaintheHouseofLordswhosaid:“FancyaBritishGovernment,anEnglishGovernment,sayingtheoddsweretoogreat!WehaveheardofAgincourt....!”WinstonChurchillwasontothechallengelikeabullterriersnappingatthelegsofaburglar.HesentthefollowingmemorandumtoGeneralIsmay,hisChiefofStaff.

IfitbetruethatafewhundredGermantroopshavelandedonJerseyorGuernsey,plansshouldbestudiedtolandsecretlybynightontheIslandsandkillorcapturetheinvaders.ThisisexactlyoneoftheexploitsforwhichtheCommandoswouldbesuited.Thereoughttobenodifficultyingettingthenecessaryinformationfromtheinhabitantsandfromthoseevacuated.Theonlypossiblereinforcementswhichcouldreachtheenemyduringthefightingwouldbebyaircraftcarriers,andherewouldbeagoodopportunityfortheAirForcefightingmachines.Prayletmehaveaplan.

Churchill’seagernesstoattacktheenemywhereverpossibletooknoaccountoftheconsequencesofsendingspiesandcommandosintotheIslands.Guernseysufferedmost.SarkhadtwocommandoraidslateronintheOccupationandonegroupwentashoreonthenorthcoastofJerseyataboutthesametimewithoutaccomplishinganything.AwholeseriesofnocturnallandingsinGuernseybyagentsinsearchofmilitaryinformationprovedintheenddisasterousforanumberofpeoplebutmainlyforAmbroseSherwillwhoseeffortsatkeepingtheIslandrunningsmoothlydependedonagoodrelationshipwiththeGermans.Thiswastobeseriouslycompromisedbythespyingescapadesofthenextfewmonths.

months.

Chapter3Churchill’sMissionaries

R

ecruitmentforthedangeroustaskofcollectingintelligencematerialinGuernseywasamongyoungGuernseymenservingintheBritishArmy.SecondLieutenantHubertNicollewasthefirstofthespiestoland.AtthetimeofhispostingtotheHampshireRegimenthedidnotimaginethathewouldcomebacktoGuernseyuntilthewarwasover.ButonedayhiscommandingofficerpassedontohimanorderthatheshouldpresenthimselfattheWarOfficeforaspecialbriefing.

Detailsofasomewhatmelodramaticprojectweregiventohimwhenhearrived.WouldhebewillingtogoashoreinoccupiedGuernsey,spendtwodaysgatheringcertaininformationandthenreturntothebeachwherehewouldbepickedupandtransportedbacktoEngland?Theofficerinchargewarnedhimthat,sincehewouldhavetobeincivilianclothes,hewasliabletobeshotasaspyifcaughtbytheGermans.HubertNicolleacceptedthechallenge.

AsubmarinebroughthimtowithintwomilesofGuernsey’ssouthcoast.Thelaststageinthevoyagewasmadeinacollapsiblecanoeincompanywiththesubmarine’snavigationofficerwhowastotakethecanoebackafterNicolle’slanding.Almostonthebeachthecanoecapsizedinthebreakers.Theyhadtodragitashoreandemptyitbeforethesubmarineofficercouldstartback.Nicollewasleftonthebeachsoakingwet.

Ihadnoalternativebuttotakeoffmyclothesandwringthemout.ThenIputthembackonagainandjumpedaroundtodrythemoffabit.ThebeachwherewehadcomeinwascalledLeJaonnet.FromthereIclimbedupthecliffpathandhidamongstsometreesuntildaylight.WhendawnbrokeIheardamovementinafieldnearby.ItwasamanIknewandhehadcometomilkhiscows.ItoldhimwhatIwasdoingandlearnedthattheonlyseriousdifficultywasthecurfew.

MyjobwastofindoutwhatsortofdefencestheGermanshadattheairport.SoIwenttoseeMrMansellattheViardsfarmwhoIknewhadfieldsallaroundandaskedhimtolookoutforwhattheGermansweredoingthere.IdecidedIwouldgotomyhomewheremymotherandfatherwerebecauseIknewfromthereI

gotomyhomewheremymotherandfatherwerebecauseIknewfromthereIcouldmakeallthecontactsIwanted.ItwouldhavebeenfatalformetomovearoundlookingfortheinformationbecauseIwastoowellknown.PeopleknewthatIhadgoneawayandvolunteeredfortheBritishArmyandhereIwasbackinGuernseyagain.Itwouldhavebeenabitsuspicious.SoIgototherpeopletodotheworkforme.

HubertNicolle’sfatherwasinoneofthedepartmentsoftheStatesandcouldgivehimarundownonthelatestregulationsimposedbytheoccupiersandhowtheyaffectedIslandersasawhole.HisunclewastheharbourmasterofSt.PeterPortandwouldgivedetailsofallshipsgoinginandoutandwhatsupplieswerecomingin.NextdoortotheNicolle’shousetherelivedacertainMrCollins.

HewasthemanagerofastorecalledLeRiche.TheGermansdiscoveredthatLeRiche’shadenormousstocksoffoodandtheywenttoMrCollinsandsaid–youwillsupplyourtroops.WewanttwohundredrationsforFortGeorge.Wewantfiftyrationshereandwewanttwentyrationssomewhereelse.AndsoMrCollinsknewtheGermanstrength.AfewhoursbeforeIlefthometogobacktothesubmarineMrCollinscameinandsaid-therearefourhundredandsixtysevenGermansintheIsland,elevenofwhichwenttoSarkthismorning.

Next,Ihadtogetaway.TheplanwasthatthenavigatorofthesubmarinewouldrowadinghytoourrendezvousonthebeachatLeJaonnet.Wehadterrificproblemsgettingthisdinghyawaybecauseitwasinamongsttherockswithwavescomingin.Wehadaboutthreeattempts.Everytimewepushedoffawavewouldcomeinandfilltheboatwithwater.Thenwehadtodragitupthebeachandemptyit.Eventuallywegotawayandrowedtothesubmarinewhichwasacoupleofmilesout.

AtthetimewhenLieutenantNicollegotoutoftheIslandtwootherBritishagentscamein.TheywerebothsubalternsandGuernseymenPhillipMartelloftheHampshireRegimentandDesmondMulhollandoftheDukeofCornwall’sLightInfantry.LikeNicolle,theylandedincivilianclothesandrantheriskofbeingshotiftheywerecaught.ACommandoraidwasscheduledfortwonightslaterandtheGuernseymenweretoactasguides.

Theplanwasfortwomainpartiestocomeashore,thefirsttoattacktheairport,destroyplanesonthegroundandblowuppetrolstores.ThesecondpartywastolandfurtheralongthecoastandattackamachinegunpostandGermanbillets.AthirdgroupwoulddeployasrequiredinsupportoftheothertwoandtrytocaptureGermanprisonersforinterrogationinEngland.

captureGermanprisonersforinterrogationinEngland.

OnthenightoftheraidtwoRoyalNavydestroyersdroppedanchorfivemilestothesouthofGuernsey.Themoonwashiddenbyamistandvisibilitywasdowntoalmostnil.AhundredandfortymenofNumber3CommandoandNumber11IndependentCompanyleftthedestroyersinair-searescuelaunches.Butthingsdidnotgoaccordingtoplan.Theweatherturnedroughandtheoperationhadtobepostponedforforty-eighthours.TherewasnowayoflettingMartellandMulhollandknowwhathadhappenedandsothetwoguideswaitedinvainattheirrespectiverendezvouspoints.

FinallytheCommandosmadeanattempttolandeventhoughaheavyseawasbatteringagainsttherockyshore.Twolauncheshadtogotoback.AnotherlostitswayandendedupnearSarkbecauseofafaultycompass.Onelaunchmanagedtodeliverapartyfurtherdownthecoastwhichdidnotsucceedinfindingitstargets.PhillipMartelrememberscomingbacktohisrendezvouspointtwicemoreonsuccessivenightsbutwithoutfindinganysignoftheraidingparties.NeitherhenorDesmondMulhollandwereabletocarryouttheirallottedtasksandtheireffortshadbeenwasted.Moreover,thevoyageoutfromPlymouthhadbeenlonganduncomfortable,accordingtoMartell.

I’mnotagoodsailorandI’dneverbeeninasubmarinebefore.Whenwewereonthesurfaceitwasverysick-making.Thingswerebetterwhensubmergedbutwewerealongtimeunderwater–thebestpartoftwenty-fourhours.Finallyweleftthesubinacanvasdinghy.WecouldseeinfrontofusjustablackmistbutafterawhiletherewasthedimoutlineoftheGuernseycoast.AfterIgotashoreIcouldnotresistthetemptationtovisitmyhomeandmysisterandherhusband.Iapproachedthehousefromthebackgardenthroughaneighbour’sproperty.ItwasintheQueen’sRoadrightoppositeGovernmentHouse.

AsIwaswalkinguponeofthepathstoapproachthegardenwallaGermansentrysuddenlysteppedoutinfrontofme.Ithoughtheavens,thisisit.Hedidn’tsayaword.Ofcourse,IwasincivilianclothesandtheyhadevidentlypostedsentriesallroundGovernmentHousebecauseitwasoccupiedbytheGermanCommandant.ItwasabadmomentbutIjustwalkedon,climbedoverthewallandwentintothehouse.

ThereasonwhywecametotheIslandwastodoareconnaissancefortheCommandoswhowouldbearrivingintwodaystimeandalsotoshowthemtheway.ThenightofthelandingcameandDesmondMulhollandandItookuppositionsontwoofthebeaches.Iwassittingonalargerockandshiningmy

positionsontwoofthebeaches.Iwassittingonalargerockandshiningmytorchouttosea.Buttheydidn’tcome.Atonepointanaircraftflewoverhead.IhavesincelearnedthatitwasanRAFplanewhichwassupposedtodrownthenoiseofthelandings.TheGermansfiredatitandthisseemedtocomefromsomewherequitecloseatthetopofthecliff.Itcertainlyputthewindupus.

Wehadbeentoldthatifthelandingdidn’ttakeplaceweweretogotothebeachatLeJaonnetwherewewouldbepickedup.Buttherewasnosignofanybodyalthoughwecamebackthenextnightandtheoneafterthat.WefoundanemptyhouseinSt.Martinswhichmyfatherownedandafterthatwesleptinabarn.ThenwewentontoSt.SampsonstotheCalderol,anotherunoccupiedhouse.Butweknewthatthiscouldn’tgoon.

Theyhadtheirbasicrationswhichconsistedofflasksofbrandy,Horlickstablets,biscuitsandchocolatebuttheirsuppliesweresoonusedup.Afteraweekofthisvagabondexistence,tiredandhungry,theydecidedthatitwouldbebesttogivethemselvesuptotheGermans.Buttheyrememberedthatincivilianclothestheywouldbeclassedasspies.Attheirlastgasp,theyarrivedatthebackdoorofAmbroseSherwill’shouse.TheyknockedandweresurpriedtobeletinbySherwillhimself.Helistenedtotheirstoryandthenaskedthemiftheywerequitesuretheywantedtogivethemselvesup.Yes,theywere.Theycouldn’tbehiddenforlongwithoutendangeringthelivesoftheirGuernseyfriendsandrelations.

Firstofall,theyhadtobefittedoutwithBritishArmyuniforms.SherwillwenttoamanheknewwhohadbeenintheGuernseyMilitiabeforetheOccupationandlearnedthatastockofuniformsexistedintheTownArsenal.Onarrivalthere,Sherwillandhisfriendfoundtheuniformsinachestandsoonputasidetwowhichlookedasiftheywouldfit.ThenSherwillnoticedtheGuernseyMilitiabuttons.TheArsenalcaretaker’swifedidarapidsewingjob,changingthebuttonsforstandardarmyoneswhichfortunatelytheyfoundonthepremises.

MartellandMulholland,nowintheuniforms,werereadytogototheGermanauthorities.Butwouldtheypassaninterrogation,Sherwillwondered.ItwasacriticalsituationinwhichhisrelationswiththeGermansasthemanresponsiblefortheIslandpopulationmightbecompromised.HepickedupthetelephoneandgotthroughtoaseniorofficeratGermanArmyheadquarters,sayingthattwoBritishArmyofficershadsurrenderedtohim.

TheGermanattheotherendofthelinewassuspicious.Howhadtheycome

TheGermanattheotherendofthelinewassuspicious.Howhadtheycomeashore?Wherewerethey?InSherwill’shouse?Howlonghadtheybeenthere?AmomentofsilencefollowedandthentheGermanalmostcrackedSherwill’sstorywideopen.“Doyoumeantosay”,hesaid,“thattheyhavebeenwalkingaboutindaylightwithoutbeingnoticed?”

SherwillcouldnotadmitthattheyhadcomeinthedarknessofearlymorningbecausethatwouldhavemeantaccountingfortheeighthourswhilethesearchforMilitiauniformswasgoingon.Aquickreplytemporarilysatisfiedtheofficer.Sherwillsaidthetwomenhadchangedintocivilianclothesoncomingashoreandthesewerewrappedinparcelsandreadyforinspection.MartellandMulhollandescapedthefiringsquadandbecamecandidatesforaprisonerofwarcampinFrance.TheyhadonlyjustgiventhemselvesuptotheGermanswhenSergeantStanleyFerbrache,alsooftheHampshireregimentandaGuernseyman,arrivedatnighttorescuethembutitwastoolate.

AmbroseSherwillsurvivedtheincident,hisreputationwiththeGermansstillmiraculouslyintactbutthecontinuousinterestintheIslandshownbyWinstonChurchillandhisDirectoroftheCombinedOperationsprovedintheendtobedisastrous,notonlyforSherwillbutalsoforothersinvolvedinhelpingorgivingsheltertotheagents.NosoonerhadthecrisissurroundingMartellandMulhollandclearedthananotherclandestineoperationcausedmoredifficultiesforAmbroseSherwill.

SecondLieutenantHubertNicollewhohadsuccessfullylandedandthenescapedamonthortwopreviouslynowarrivedfromPlymouthbymotortorpedoboatwithanotherGuernseymanfromhisregiment,JamesSymes.ThistimetheinformationaskedforconcernedtheconditionsoftheIslandersunderenemyoccupation.HadanyofthembeentakenawaytoGermany?WhatcommunicationsweretherewithFrance?HowwastheIslandfaringasregardsfood,fuelandmedicalsupplies?ThesewerethequestionswhichHubertNicollehadimpressedonJamesSymesbeforetheysetoutbecause,atfirst,theplanwasthatSymesshouldcarryoutthemissionalone.LieutenantNicolleremembersthebriefing:

IwascalleduptoLondonagainandtheysaidthatthepeopleattheHomeOfficewantedtoknowthegeneralpositionintheIsland–whatsuppliestheGermanswerebringinginandthingsofthatsort.Theysaidtome–youfindsomebodywhoknowstheIsland,puthiminandafewdayslatergethimoutwiththe

informationwerequire.Therewasafriendinmyregiment–Symes.IknewJimwell.We’dbeenatElizabethCollegetogetherandIwasn’tpreparedtosendhiminonhisown.SoIwentwithhim.

TheycameintoGuernseyatPetitBotandclimbedthe300footcliffpath.Itwasadarknightbutbothofthemknewtheirwayaroundandhadspecificplacestovisit–mainlyrelativesandfriendswhereanswerstotheHomeOfficequestionscouldbeeasilyobtained.Theyhadthreedaysinwhichtomaketheirinquiries.Themotortorpedoboatwouldthenreturn,pickthemupfromthesamebeachandtakethembacktoPlymouth.

Itdidnotgoaccordingtoplan.NicolleandSymeswenttothebeachonseveralconsecutivenightsbutnoboatcame.Perhapsthechangeintoautumnweatherwithhighwindshadmadeitimpossible.Liketheothersbeforethemtheyweremaroonedand,withthewaxingofthemoon,thenightsweregettinglighter,Nicollerealisedthatanothermonthmustpassbeforethedarkskieswouldreturn.

Eventhentherewasnosignofrescueandthetwomenhadbeenhidingoutwithrelativesandfriendsforsixweeks,becomingmoreanxiousaseverydaywentbybecausetheyknewthatthosewhoweregivingthemrefugerantheriskofimprisonmentandpossibletransportationtothecontinent.Inthemeantime,yetanotheragentarrived-CaptainJohnParker.Shortlyaftercomingashorehefellintoatrenchbyananti-aircraftgun,makingratheraclatterandhewaspromptlyarrestedbythesergeantincharge.

TheGermanswerenowsuspiciousofeveryoneandinthecircumstancesjustifiedinbelievingthatmanyIslanderswereshelteringBritishsoldiers,someofwhommightbespies.Thelistwasalreadyquitelong-Nicolle,Martell,Mulholland,Nicolleagain,SymesandParker.InadditiontherehadbeenanabortiveCommandoraidinwhichoneofthepartiesmanagedtowanderaboutontheJerbourgpeninsularwithoutdoinganythingeffectivefortheBritishwareffort.Churchillcalledtheseescapades“sillyfiascos”andreprimandedthedepartmentsconcernedfortheirlackofpracticalorganisation.InGuernseythepeopleinvolvedwereangry,especiallyAmbroseSherwill.TheBritishGovernmenthadabandonedthemandleftthematthemercyoftheGermans.Whymakethingsmoredifficult?

AnannouncementinthelocalpressproclaimedthatanamnestywouldbegrantedtoallBritishsoldierswhomightstillbeintheIslandfromthetimeofthedemilitarisationandforthosewhomighthavegivensheltertothem.This

thedemilitarisationandforthosewhomighthavegivensheltertothem.ThiswastheresultofadiscussionbetweenAmbroseSherwillandtheGermanofficerinchargeofthesituationwhowantedtoavoidfurtherevidencecroppingupofhisinabilitytoapprehendanyBritishrefugeeswhomightstillbeinhiding.HewasalreadysufferingfromacuteembarrassmentovertheescapeofeightGuernseymeninafishingboat.

Thetwofugitives,NicolleandSymes,werestillinclinedtostayhiddeninthehopeeitherofbeingrescuedorfindingawaytoleavetheIsland.ButaretiredMajor-General,aGuernseyresident,advisedthemtotakeadvantageoftheamnestywhich,nowthattheyhadBritishArmyuniforms,wouldgivethemthestatusincaptivityofprisonersofwar.

ItwasthezealofahighGermanofficialattheFeldkommandanturheadquartersnearPariswhichalteredtheapplicationoftheamnestyandsentawaveofpanicthroughallpeopleinGuernseywhohadanyconnectionwiththeagents.TheofficialbecameobsessedwiththeideathatNicolleandSymes,nowinaGuernseyprison,hadcometotheIslandtoorganisewidespreadresistance.AsaresulthesentanordertothelocalKommandant,instructinghimtoroundupallsuspects.

Howmanymorespieswereinhidingwhohadnotcomeforwardundertheamnesty?ThehighofficialattheFeldkommandanturheadquartersfeltsurethattheIslandwasinfestedwithspiesandresistancefighters.Asawarningandareprisalallradiosetswereconfiscatedandthewordwentoutthat,iftherewerenofurthersurrenders,twentyleadingcitizenswouldbetakenashostagesandshot.

TheGermanswouldnotbelievethatNicolleandSymeswereacoupleofordinaryBritisharmyofficers.TheywouldnotbelievethatAmbroseSherwillknewnothingofthespyring.Theywouldnotatfirstbelievethatotherswerenotstillinhidingsomewherebutinterrogationsamongallwhowereconnectedwiththeescapade,includingAmbroseSherwill,yieldednomorenamesthanthosealreadyknown.

NicolleandSymesweretobeshot.AmbroseSherwillwastakentothegrimChercheMidiprisoninPariswherehelanguishedinacelltenfeetbyeightformonthsofsolitaryconfinement.OnlytheinterventionoftheCommander-in-ChiefoftheChannelIslandssavedNicolleandSymesfromexecution.HeinsistedthattheArmyshouldhonouritsamnesty.Overthreemonthswentbybeforeeveryonewasreleasedexceptforthetwoyoungofficerswhowenttoa

beforeeveryonewasreleasedexceptforthetwoyoungofficerswhowenttoaprisonerofwarcamp.

SherwillcamebacktoGuernseytofindthathewasnolongertheProcureurandPresidentoftheControllingCommittee.TheGermanswouldnottrusthimeveragain.InLondonWinstonChurchilltoldtheDirectorofCombinedOperationstoabandonhiscommandointelligenceactivitiesinanyoftheChannelIslands-atleastforthetimebeing.VerylittlehadbeengainedandinGuernseymuchhadbeenlost.

Above:Onemonthbeforetheoutbreakofwar.ThisistheBattleofFlowersinAugust1939andthefloat‘PEACETOALLNATIONS’inspiredbyChamberlain’sfamousspeechin1938afterhismeetingwithHitler.NotetheactsofChamberlainandHitler

Left:Thecarefreedaysseemedtolastforever.

“ThestormsofcentralEuropeseemed

farawayfromtheChannelIslands.”

28June1940–LuftwaffeairraidoverSt.PeterPort

StHelier

Acommunicationthatspeaksforitself

ThefirsttroopsarriveintheIslands

GermanofficersdisplaycapturedBritish/Guernseyflag

TalksatJerseyAirportabouttermsof

surrenderwiththeAttorneyGeneral FirstGermansatJerseyAirport,July,1940(AlexanderCoutanchesecondonleft)

AMesserschmitt110onChannelIslandssoil

Inset:RaisingtheSwastikaovertheIslands;TownHall,St.Helier,1940

MajorLanzcallsameetingatHQ(The

RoyalHotel,Guernsey) OnguardatGovernmentHouse

Ashowofstrength–CharingCross,St.Helier

ThesoundofthejackbootinThePollet,

Guernsey Look-outpostnearLaCorbière,Jersey

No-goareasintheIslands

Germanpioneerplatoondiggingearlytypefortifications

QuiettimeatSt.Ouen’sBay,Jersey

AllquietontheWesternFront–overlookingSt.PeterPortandCastleCornet

Anothertime,anotherwar(CastleCornet)

FromFortRegent–St.HelierHarbourandElizabethCastle

MorningdrillonthebreakwaterofElizabethCastle

CustomsofficialoftheVGAD(frontiercontrol)atGoreyHarbour

VGADofficialwithGoreyharbourmaster

DefencesatLaRocqueHarbour

ColonelGrafVonSchmettow,GermanCommander-in-Chief,ChannelIslands

VonSchmettow(nowLieutenantGeneral)congratulatingtroopsonsuccessfulraid.

ShopsfullofnewtreasuresfortheGermans

Lettherebemusic

TheotherfaceoftheNaziregime–the

firstexecution SonderführerHolil–censoratthe‘JerseyEveningPost’

Germanpropagandaunitwithloudspeakers

–CharingCross,St.Helier GermanofficerscallatLaSeigneurie,Sark

AMesserschmidtBF109refuelsduringtheBattleofBritain(laterlostinaction)

Anti-aircraftgunsaresetupthroughouttheIslands

Suppliescomeinheavilydefended

ParadinginMaraisSquare,Alderney

CreuxHarbour,Sark

Chapter4WaysandMeans

D

evelopmentsinJerseywereondifferentlines.TheIslandescapedtheattentionoftheCommandosuntil,overtwoyearslater,therewasasingleraid,asuseless

oftheCommandosuntil,overtwoyearslater,therewasasingleraid,asuselessasallthepreviousGuernseylandings.TheBailiff,AlexanderCoutanche,wasaboveallalawyerandhemadeuphismindthathewouldprotecttheinterestsofthepopulationwitheverylegalrecoursetothoserightswhichinternationalconventionsallowedtoaconqueredpeopleinwartime.ItwastheonlyweapontohandanditwastoservetimeandtimeagainastheGermanoccupiersincreasedtheirdemandsintheyearsahead.

InJulyandAugustof1940therewerenoproblemsbeyondtheminorvexationscausedbytheinfluxofseveralhundredGermansoldiers-thedisappearancefromtheshopsoftobacco,cigarettesandluxuryitemswhichtheinvaderstookoverlikelocustsdevouringfieldsofcorn.Therewasacurfewand,later,bicyclesandcarshadtokeeptotherighthandsideoftheroadbutasyettheGermansshowednosignoffallingontheordinarypeopleofJerseylikethebarbarichordesofGenghisKahn.Onthecontrary,theyseemedquitecivilisedandwellbehaved.LeslieSinel,authoroftheOccupationDiary,rememberstheimpressiontheymadeonhim:

We’dheardonthewirelesshowthey’dcomeacrossEurope,terrifyingpeoplewiththeGestapoandtheatrocitiesintheconcentrationcamps.Wedidn’timaginewewouldbetreatedanybetter.But,asamatteroffact,theybehavedverywell-atfirst,thatis.Lateronwhentheotherscameinwiththeirsecretpolicethingsgotabitharder.

SomepeoplewilltellyoutherewasnoGestapointheIslandonlytheFieldPolice.AsfarasI’mconcerned,theyweretheGestapo.SomeofmyfriendswereinterrogatedattheGestapoheadquartersatHavredesPasandIcantellyoutheyreallywentthroughit.OnemanIknowcameoutafterwardsandhewaswhiteandshrivelled.You’dhardlyhaverecognisedhim.Sodon’ttellmetherewasnoGestapo.

However,thatwaslateron.Atfirstthetroopsbehavedverywell.Infact,theordinarysoldiersalwaysbehavedwell.Theyweredisciplinedbytheirofficerswhotoldthemnottocausetrouble.Apartfromthat,theywerecheerful.Theywereinagoodmood.Afterall,theywerewinningthewar.Thinkofthegreatsuccessthey’dhadsweepingallbeforethemthroughBelgiumandFrance.Theywerefullofthemselves.Theybelievedthatinthenextmonthorsothey’dbeinEngland.But,ofcourse,theydidn’tknowMr.Churchill.

ThefirstmonthsoftheOccupationinJerseywentfairlysmoothly.ItwasatimeofadjustmenttothenewlifewhichislandersweregoingtoleadundertheNazi

ofadjustmenttothenewlifewhichislandersweregoingtoleadundertheNaziadministration.AlexanderCoutanche,indealingwiththeGermans,foundthatageneralairofgoodhumourprevailed.CaptainGussek,theofficerinchargeoftheinvasiontroops,settledadministrativeproblemswithabrisknonchalance.WhentheJerseyAttorneyGeneralhadtoprosecuteamanforsomebreachofalocalregulationheaskedCaptainGussekwhetherhecouldgotocourtandprosecutetheprisonerasusualinthenameoftheKing.Gussekrepliedairily:“Certainly–unlessyouprefertoprosecutehiminthenameoftheGermanReich.WehavenoquarrelwithyourKing.”

TwomonthswentpastandthentheMilitaryGovernmentarrived,anorganisationwhichalwaysmovedintoanyconqueredterritoryaftertheArmyhadsubduedallmilitaryresistance.ItwasknownastheFeldkommandantur.Theofficialsinitsofficesworemilitaryuniformsbuttheywereactuallycivilservantsandatheartbureaucratswhosoonbegantoincreasethenumberofrulesandregulationsandissueendlessformsandsheetsofinstructions.CaptainGusseksaidtoCoutancheinhisusualtoneofirony:Jetzgehtderpapierkrieglos.(Nowthepaperwarstarts.)

ItwasthelasttimethathewouldspeaktotheBailiffforhehadorderstomoveontootherdutieselsewhere.InhisplacecameColonelGrafvonSchmettow,anArmymanwithalongprofessionalexperiencedatingbacktotheWarof1914.HewasalsoanoldfashionednoblemanfromalandowningfamilyinSilesia.ItwasasCommander-in-ChiefofalltheislandsthathetookuphispostinJerseywhichthusbecametheoverallheadquartersforsometime,latermovingbackagaintoGuernsey.

ColonelvonSchmettowexhibitedacertainhauteurinhismanner.AtthesametimehisbehaviourwascorrectandtypicaloftheclassofmencommissionedindaysgonebyasofficersintheKaiser’sarmyofImperialGermany.AlexanderCoutanchewasequallyformal.Bothmenplayedasortofdiplomaticgame,eachinhisownstyle.

OnedayCoutancheandhiswifewereoutforawalkintheNoirmontwoodsnearhishouseonthehillwhentheymetVonSchmettowwhoseweekendresidence,CardingtonLodge,wasnearby.ItwasprobablythisencounterwhichconvincedTheBailiffthathemustmakehispositionclear,asSherwillhaddoneinGuernseyinadifferentway.AlittlelaterheremindedtheGermanCommander-in-Chiefthattheywereenemiesandcouldnotmeetsociallybutthatthisneednotinfluencetheirbehaviourwhendiscussingofficialmatters.

thatthisneednotinfluencetheirbehaviourwhendiscussingofficialmatters.

TheymetagainintheGermanArmyHeadquarters,theMetropoleHotelinRosevilleStreet.Onthisoccasiontheyagreedanarrangementwhichwouldavoidunnecessarydisruptionsofthenormalday-to-dayroutineoflifeinJersey.CoutanchedrewtheGermanCommander’sattentiontothelikelihoodoftroublebecauseofthenewlawsandregulationswhichtheMilitaryGovernmenthadbroughtin.“Thereareboundtobemisunderstandings,”CoutanchetoldvonSchmettow.“Letusnowdecidethatwhenaproblemariseswewillnotleaveittojuniorofficialstomakeamuddleoutofthething.YouandIwillsettlethesedisputesbetweenus.”

TheGermanauthoritieshadtheirownwayoftryingtomakethemselveswelcomeinJerseyandparticularlyinSt.Helier.Militarybandswentmarchingaroundthestreetsandintheparks,makingacheerful,brassysound,onandon,dayafterdayuntilitseemedasiftheOccupationhadbeendevisedsolelytoenablearmymusicianstopractisetheirhappymarchingmusic.TheGermansorganiseddancesattheWestParkPavillionandelsewhere.OnNewYear’sDayaspecialchildren’spartywithgamesandmusicwassupposedtodemonstratetheirconcernforfamilylife.AtthesametimetheyexecutedayoungFrenchmanwantedbytheNazisinFrance.TheboyfacedafiringsquadinthegroundsofSt.Ouen’sManor.

ItwasintheearlyperiodoftheOccupationthatpeoplefoundleafletsflutteringonthegroundinmanypartsoftheIsland.InGuernsey,too,leafletsturnedupinlanes,onroofsandcaughtinthebranchesoftrees.TheyhadbeendroppedbytheRAFandtheycontainedtherealnewsofthewartooffsetthebiasedversionsprintedinthelocalGermancontrollednewspapers.ThefirstbatchcontainedamessagefromtheKing.

TheQueenandIdesiretoconveytoyouourheartfeltsympathyinthetrialswhichyouareenduring.Weearnestlyprayforyourspeedyliberation,knowingthatitwillsurelycome.

TeamsofGermansoldierswentoutscouringthecountrysidetopickuptheleafletsbeforetheycouldbefoundbythelocalinhabitantsbutthispanicoperationturnedouttobequiteuseless.Inanycase,peopledidnotbelievetheGermannewsinthepapers.ArthurHarrison,inchargeoftheJerseyEveningPost,remembersthesystemheintroducedforcastingdoubtonanynewsstoryhandedtohimbytheGermancensors.

ThecopywasfulloflittleerrorsintheEnglishcomposition.Wealwaysletthesetell-talemistakesgothroughtotheprintersothatpeoplecouldeasilyseethatthestorycamefromtheGermans.

ForpeopleinJersey,GuernseyandSarkthemainsourceofnewswastheBBCwhichalwaysgavethetruefactsinitsradiobroadcasts,eveninitemsshowingserioussetbackstotheBritishwareffort.ListeningtotheradiowasstillpermittedatthisstageoftheOccupationbecausetheGermanswerenotworriedabouttheprogressofthewar.TheyconfidentlyexpectedvictoryovertheBritishalthoughthemuchvauntedinvasionofEnglandhadbeendelayedbecauseofthelossesinGermanaircraftduringtheBattleofBritain.

TheFeldkommandanturissuedinstructionsfortherationingoffood.TwomonthsafterthearrivaloftheGermansanordercameoutfortwomeatlessdaysaweekandcommunalmealsforchildren.Bakershadtouseflourthatwasfiftypercentpotatomash.SomepeopleinGuernseybegantocollectmenusforawartimecookerybookbasedonthelimitednumberoffoodstuffsavailable.InJerseypeoplesavedfuelbygoingtowhatwerecalledcommunityrestaurantsusuallyrunbytheStates.

TosupplementfoodstockstheauthoritiesofGuernseyandJerseycreatedwhatwascalledthePurchasingCommissiontofacilitatetheimportationoffoodfromFrance.RaymondFallaofGuernseywastheguidingspiritinthisenterprise,workingwithGeorgeVaudinand,fromJersey,JeanJouault.TheyopenedanofficeinGranvillewhereessentialarrangementsweremadeforshippingtheirpurchasestotheIslands.

RaymondFallatravelledroundNormandyandBrittanymakingdealswithfarmersandmerchants.AttheendofAugustheannouncedhisfirstpurchase-farmseedsforthecomingseason’ssowing.Heboughtlargequantitiesofwheat,barley,flourandchemicalsforthewaterworks.Soonafterwardshefoundanother1000tonsofflour,15tonsofbutterand400casesoftinnedpork.

TheStatesofGuernseyandJerseysoonrealisedthatRaymondFallawasararetypeofcommercialgenius-partentrepreneur,partsalesmanandpartdiplomat.HeknewhowtoswearinFrenchandGerman,twotalentsheconsideredessentialfordealingwithdelaysattheport.ByDecembertherewasenoughfoodintheIslandsforpeopletocelebratethefestiveseasonwiththeusualChristmasdinners.

WhileJerseyandGuernseyfaceduptotheproblemsofsupplyadifferentsituationexistedinAlderney.TheIslandwasshowingsignsoflifeagain.AlonefarmernamedFrankOseltonwhohadgonetoGuernseyreluctantlyatthetimeoftheevacuationcamebacktohisfarmwithafewcows.HefoundAlderneydesertedexceptforasmallnumberofGermansconstructinggunemplacementsforcoastaldefence.TheGermansneededmilkandwerepreparedtopayforit,thusgivingFrankOseltonareadymarket.

Anotherone-timeresident,GeorgePope,camebackwithhiswife,arrivinginSt.Anneinhisconvertedlifeboat,havingleftatthetimeofthemassevacuation.Nowthathewasagainonfamiliarground,hereachedanunderstandingwiththeGermansbyshowingthemhowtonavigatebetweentheislandandareefofrocksknownastheCasquetswhereaplatoononguardatthelighthouseneededregularsuppliesferriedin.PopethentookupfarminginAlderneywherehiswifegavebirthtotwochildrenduringtheOccupation.

Growingfoodwasatfirstthemostimportantactivityinthisdesolateisle.Itbroughtbackalivingqualitytothescrubbyfields.SoontheauthoritiesinGuernseycametodependonAlderneyproducetosupplementarmyrationswhichwerebeingconsumedmoreandmorequicklybecauseoftheincreasingnumberoftroopsarrivingintheislands.Alderneyatthistimepresentedtwocontrastingimpressions.Ontheonehand,thesimpleagriculturalworkofGeorgePopeandFrankOseltongaveapastoralcharactertothelandscape.Ontheotherhand,thefortificationsonthecliffshadallthedrabnessofmilitaryinstallations.

GeorgePopewassopleasedwithconditionsinAlderneythathewrotealettertotheStatesofGuernsey,whichtotheembarrassmentoftheBritishwasquotedontheGermanradio.Hesaid:“WeareandhavebeentreatedwiththegreatestrespectandkindnessbytheforcesoccupyingtheChannelIslands.”FrankOseltonmadeasimilarstatementandinGuernseyAmbroseSherwillhadsaidmuchthesameontheradioatthebeginningoftheOccupation.ItwasonlylaterthathegotintotroublewiththeGermans.

ToconstructmorefortificationsandothermilitarystructurestheGermanHighCommandinBerlinsentovertheTodtOrganisation,Hitler’sconstructiondepartmentdirectedbyDr.FritzTodt,thearchitectwhohadbuiltthegreatGermanmotorwaysinthethirties.Atthistime,1941,workingpartiescametoAlderneyfromGuernseyandSarkforvarioustasksagriculturalworkandtherepairandextensionofthebreakwateratSt.Anne.Thismeantacomingand

repairandextensionofthebreakwateratSt.Anne.Thismeantacomingandgoingwithmanypairsofeyeswatchingdevelopments.TheTodtOrganisationconstructedfourcampsforworkers,onewhichlaterbecameaconcentrationcampforpoliticalprisonersfromthecontinent.Awomanwhosejobitwastodeliversuppliestothecampspokeofguardsbeatingtheirprisonersandofbarbaricexecutions.ButGeorgePopeandFrankOseltoncouldnotseewhatwashappeningbehindthebarbedwirefences,occupiedastheywerewithraisingcropsandmilkingcows.

Chapter5TheFirstYear

T

heauthorityoftheGermansintheChannelIslandsrestedonanumberoflegalormilitaryconventionswhich,asfaraspossible,conformedtotraditionandlaws.Inthefirstplace,theGermansclaimedtherighttorulebyreasonoftheirmilitaryvictoryinFrance.WhentheirforcesdescendedontheChannelIslandstheyruledbyrightofconquest.Historically,thishasusuallybeenthebasisofchangesininternationalfrontiers.Inotherwords,ifyouhavetheforcetodefeattheenemyyoucanclaimhisterritory.

ButnumerousotherdetailshadtobesettledafterthisopeningstageoftheOccupation.WeretheislandsinfactapartofFrance?GermanlegalspecialistswantedtoknowwhatjustificationtherewasinpresumingthemtobeBritish.Towhom,precisely,didChannelIslandersowetheirallegianceinstrictlaw?Hitlerinsistedthat,bythelogicofhistory,theywerecitizensofFranceandthat,asaconsequence,hisforceshadliberatedthemfromslaveryunderthecolonialruleoftheBritish.Buttherewereotheropinions.

AccordingtoanadjutantintheWehrmacht,theislanderssaidtheywereneitherFrenchnorBritishbutsubjectsoftheDukeofNormandy,oneofthetitlesoftheBritishKing.AGermanLawyerwhocametoclarifythepositionwroteinhisreportthattheinhabitantswereEnglishpatriotsthoughofNormanorigin.Hewaspuzzledbythemedievalcharacteroflocallawswiththeirreferencestofeudallord,feudaltenantandfief.

Confusionastothehistoricalbasisfortheislanders’constitutionswasreflectedinoneofthenewregulationsimposedbytheGermans.Itdecreedthat,inchurchservices,prayersfortheRoyalFamilywouldbepermittedbuttheNationalAnthemcouldnotbesungwithoutpriorpermission.Itsoonbecameclearthat,in

Anthemcouldnotbesungwithoutpriorpermission.Itsoonbecameclearthat,intheGermanmind,theKingandQueenandtheRoyalFamilywerequiteseparatefromWinstonChurchillandtheBritishGovernment.WhethertheKingwasthoughtofastheMonarchofBritianorastheDukeofNormandywas,intheend,quiteacademic.Hitleractedashethoughtfit.Heorderednewlawsashewantedthem.ForallpracticalpurposestheNaziGovernmentwassupremeandallpowerfulinitsconqueredregionsbuttolegalisticmindsamongHitler’sadvisersthequestionoftheconsitutionalpositionintheChannelIslandsleftonepointunsettled.WeretheislandersentitledtoclaimprotectionfromtheHagueConvention?

Hitler’sadvisersknewthattheHagueConventionappliedtoasubjectpeoplewhosegovernmenthadsignedaformalsurrender.ThistheBritishGovermenthadnotdoneandonlyiftheislandsbelongedtoFrancewhoseGovermenthadalreadysurrenderedcouldChannelIslandersqualifyforthebenefitsoftheHagueConvention.Thedilemmawassettledbyacompromise.AninstructioncamefromtheofficeoftheMilitaryGovernorinParisintheformofaVerordungsblätterwhichdecreedthatifrecoursetotheHagueConventionwasmadebyandfortheChannelIslandStatestheConventionwouldforthetimebeingapply.And,ofcourse,itwouldcertainlyapplyassoonasBritainwasdefeatedwhichtheGermansthoughtwouldbequitesoon.

ItwasinthisatmosphereofuncertainlegalitiesthatAlexanderCoutancheinJerseyandAmbroseSherwillinGuernseyattemptedtoobtainafewconcessionsfromtheGermans.InSark,SybilHathawaydidnotavailherselfofanylegalprocedures.Shehadherownwayofdealingwiththeenemy.EveryGermancommanderwhoarrivedinherislandwasentertainedwithallthecharmwhichLaDamewasabletousesoeffectivelyand,beforeleaving,hewasaskedtosignthevisitorsbook.TheGermansagreedtoeverythingshewanted.

HervisitorsbooksoonfilledupwithnamesofhighdistinctionsuchasthatofthePrincevonOettigen.Aftersigning,thevisitorsusuallyaddedpoliteexpressionsofappreciationofherhospitality–“Manythanksforalovelyafternoon”or“Alwaysdelightedwithnicereception.”

Yearslaterwhenthewarwasoversomepeopleaskedherifshefeltembarrassedbythesecordialentriesinhervisitorsbook.Sheansweredsuchquestionswithtypicalselfconfidenceandlogic.No,shewasnotintheleastembarrassed.TherewasnothingtobegainedbyopposingtheGermansopenlyorbeingrudetothem.

tothem.

Infact,asitturnedout,SybilHathawaywastheonlyoneamongtheleadingpeopleinauthorityintheChannelIslandswhorefusedtocountersignGermanordersifshedisapprovedofthem,withtheexceptionofoneoccasionwhenJuratLainéofGuernseywouldnotaccepttheNaziantiJewishlaws.

Bythebeginningof1941muchhadhappenedinthetwomainislands.AworkingarrangementwiththeGermanshadbeenachievedinJerseyasaresultofthediplomacyofAlexanderCoutanche.Theinhabitantsonthewholelearnedtoacceptthesoldiersintheirmidst.ButinGuernseythenormalflowofeventshadbeeninterruptedbythelandingsofChurchill’sspiesandcommandosandAmbroseSherwillwasstillinprisoninParis.PeopleweregettingusedtosignsbearingstrangewordsintheGermanlanguage.Fewcouldunderstandthemultiplewordswhichcontainedtwoorthreeruntogetherintoone,suchasOberkriegsverwaltungsrat–aseniorwaradministrationofficer.

TheFeldkommandanturputoutacircularamongschoolsaskinghowmanychildrenwouldvolunteertolearnGerman.Theresponsewasquitegoodbutitwasdifficultatfirsttofindenoughteachersandtextbooks.Evenforordinaryschoolsubjectstherewereproblems.ManyschoolbuildingshadbeentakenoverbythearmyandeventhosewhichremainedcouldnotbeadequatelyheatedinwinterbuttheauthoritiesinJerseyandGuernseymanagedtokeepchildren’seducationgoingdespitethedifficulties.

LearningGermanwasnotlikelytomeetanyoppositioninSarkwheretheschoolchildrenwerequiteeagertohaveanewdiversiontobreakthemonotonyoflifeonasmallisland.SybilHathawayinformedtheauthoritiesthattwentytwoofthemwerewillingtotakelessonsintheclasseswhichweresoontobegin.AsinJerseyandGuernseytextbookswerescarceandMrs.HathawaysaiditwouldbeuptotheGermanstoprovidesome.Astotheproblemofwinterheatingintheschoolroom,shesaidthatthetwentytwopupilscouldhavetheirGermanclassesintheSeigneurie.

OneoftheinconvenientdevelopmentsinthisfirstyearoftheOccupationwastheconfiscationofbicyclesandprivatelyownedweaponssuchasshotguns.ItwasnaturalfortheGermanauthoritiestodemandgunswhichmightbeusedagainstthembuttheFeldkommandantur,withtypicalGermanthoroughness,collectedweaponsofeverykind,includinganantiqueblunderbusandapike.Thelistoftheseweaponsmakescolourfulreading.Itcoveredthepersonal

souvenirsofmenwhohadretiredtotheIslandsafteralifeofserviceoverseasinvariouspartsoftheBritishEmpire.Therewerespears,krises,assegais,kukris,cutlasses,huntingweaponsofallkindsandmuseumitemssuchasflintlockgunsandhalberds.

PossessionofthesecureosrequiredalicencefromtheFeldkommandantur,anorganisationwhichproveditselfreasonableinatleastonecasebyallowingaretiredcolonelfromtheRoyalSiameseGendarmerietokeepasportinggungiventohimbytheKingofSiam.Everyarticlebearingtheslightestresemblancetoaweaponcameunderthenewregulationsandhadtobehandedin.Thosethoughttobedangerousiftheyshouldfallintothehandsofanassassinwereheldinsafecustodyandareceiptgiventotheowner.WhenthebureaucraticmachineryoftheFeldkommandanturstartedtorevolvetherewasnostoppingit.

Theyear1941alsosawaworseningofthepetrolshortage.Allcarsofmorethan14horsepowerhadtostayintheirgaragesandthentheFeldkommandant,announcingthatpetrolsupplieswererunningout,bannedcarsofover12horsepower.Itwasthebeginningoftheend.Civiliancarsdisappearedfromtheroads.TheGermansthemselvesweresoontoneedbicycles.Arequisitionordercameoutforagivennumberofbicyclestobehandedinwhichbroughtloudprotestsfromtheislandauthorities.

InGuernseythebicyclecollectiondidnotreachtherequiredfigureandtheGermansaccusedthoseresponsible,theControllingCommittee,ofsabotage.Bicyclesbecamealuxury,eventhosewithrubbertubingroundthewheelsinsteadoftyres.Thepricesrocketed.In1940DamailleofGuernseysoldbicyclesfor£4.19s.6d.Withintwoyearsbicycleschangedhandsat£50.

FoodwasplentifulinthefirstweeksoftheOccupationbecausethousandsofpeoplehadgoneawaytoEnglandintheevacuationships.Inaddition,theGuernseyStateshadarrangedtheimportofgoodsandcommoditiestolastforsixmonths.EileenKeenofSt.Saviour’swasthenanassistantintheGuillle-AllèslibraryofSt.PeterPort.SheremembersthattheTownshopswerefull.

Onecouldbuyalmostanything–notonlyfoodbutdressmaterial,shoesandthingslikethat.Peoplewhohadanymoneyboughtthingswithaneyeonthefuture.Soatfirstitwasn’tasbadasitmighthavebeen.ButthentheGermanstookoverallthestock,mainlyfood,ofcourse,andthingsgotverytight.

StocksinJerseywerealsorelativelyhighimmediatelyafterthearrivaloftheGermansalthoughnotsoevenlydistributedthroughoutthedifferentcategoriesoffoodstuffsasinGuernsey.Forexamplefourmonthssupplyofcannedfruitwasestimatedandayear’ssupplyofsugar.BythistimethejointJersey-GuernseyPurchasingCommissionwasbringinginsupplementaryitemsfromFrance.NeverthelesstheFeldkommandanturinitsobsessionwithtotalcontrolissuedanorderthatallfowlsovertwoyearsofageshouldbekilledandusedforfood.Thetheorywasthatthesightofmorepoultryintheshopswouldgiveabetterimpressionofthefoodsituation.

FewerpotatoesinGuernseycausedsomeanxietytotheControllingCommitteeinthespring.TomakemattersworsetheFeldkommandanturorderedthedispatchofpotatoesandtomatoestoFrancewherestocksoftheseitemswerelow.Peopleinthecountryparishesbegantogrowtheirownpotatoesandothervegetables.Towndwellers,havingsmallergardensornogardensatall,werenotsowellplaced.ButEileenKeenremembersthat,inSt.PeterPort,peopleweregenerousinsharingwhattheyhad.

Ibenefittedfromit–inthatIwasinthelibraryalldayandoneofthecaretakersgavemesoupandlittlethingstheycouldspare.Andmyfatherwouldsupplythemwithvegetablesfromthecountry.Sowehelpedeachotherout.

SoontheFeldkommandanturhadsetupitsvariousdepartments-amongthemthesecretpolice,theGeheimeFeldpolizei.Membersofthisforce(whomislanderscalledtheGestapo)busiedthemselveswithpreventingrebellionwherevertheysensedthatitmightbreakout.Onesourceoftrouble,theythought,wasliterature.TostampouthereticalthoughtsagainstHitlerandhisregimetheywenttoallthelibrariesandremovedbookswhichhadanti-NazithemesandallbookswrittenbyJews.ThiswasarerunofthetragicspectaclewhichhadtakenplaceinBerlinintheearlythirtieswhentheNazisorganisedapublicburningofthousandsofGermanbooks.RudolfHess,Hitler’sDeputy,hadsaid.“WhenIhearthewordcultureIreachformyrevolver.”

ButnowinJerseyandGuernseyitwasnotonlybookswhichtheNazisfeared.TheGeheimeFeldpolizeiwereonthewatchforanyonespeakingagainsttheregimeorexpressingahopefortheultimatevictoryoftheBritish.Theycheckeduponfishingboatsandanyothermeansofescapingfromtheislands.TheyevenunearthedalightaeroplaneinagarageinSt.PeterPort.Althoughitwasdamagedandquiteunairworthythediscoveryledtoanexchangeofangrynotes

betweentheFeldkommandantandtheControllingCommittee.

WhenafurthersearchrevealedtwoantiqueRussianhandgunsinastorebySt.PeterPortharbourandtwoswordsticks(usedbyCustomsmenwhenprickingbalesforcontraband)anewordercameoutsignedbytheBailiffinstructingallhouseholderstosearchtheirloftsforweaponswhichmighthavebeenforgottenandaddingaperfectlyseriouswarningnottooverlookanyaeroplanestheymighthaveonthepremises.

ThesecretpolicewerenotpartoftheArmywhichwasresponsibleonlyfordefenceandcombat.TheycameundertheFeldkommandanturandconsequentlywerebothfearedandheldincontemptbyregulararmyofficers.Norwereitsmenpopularwithcivilians.IncontrasttotheFeldpolizei,ordinarysoldiersseemedquitelikeable.Onthewholetheybehavedlikenormalhumanbeingsandhadgoodmanners.ButIslandershadmixedfeelingsabouttreatingthemasfriendsandtheywereeverywhere,inbars,cafésandshops.SomebegantospeakEnglishandmadefriendlyapproaches.Thenwhatwasalocalmantodo–keepsilent?CaptainRoyBullen,nowtheJerseyharbourmasterandthenachildoffive,experiencedthismentalconflictandexplaineditlikethis.

MyfatherlefttheIslandtojoinhisregimentonthelastmailboattoleavehere.Wedidn’tseemyfather,allofusinthefamily,untilfiveyearsorsolater.Buttherewasaphotographalwaysabovemymother’sbedoffatherinuniform.AndtherewereGermansoldiersallaroundus.Wesoonbecameaccustomedtothem.Especiallyme.Iwasveryyoungandcouldhardlyrememberanythingelse.Fromtimetotimeifwewereplayingfootball-orplayinganyothergame-maybeoneortwoGermansoldierswhowerepassingorworkingonsomegunsiteorotherwouldtrytojoininandsometimesmaybewewouldallowthemto.

Buttherewasalwaysthisfeelingofguilt–uneasemorethanguiltbecauseit’shardtofeelguiltywhenyou’rethatsmall–yes,itwasuneaseaboutfraternisingwiththemandplayingwiththem.Alwaysatthebackofmymindwasthisuneasyfeelingaboutthesesoldierswho,onthefaceofit,werequitefriendly.ButIthoughtthesearetheevilpeoplewhowerefightingmyfather.

SomebodyelsewhoremembersanexperienceofindecisionisRichardWilliamsnowknownasRichardWeithley:

Aftertheinitialcuriosity,contactbetweentheGermansandlocalpeoplewasminimal.TheredevelopedanOccupationlifeontwoseparateplanes.(ItwillbenotedthatIamtalkingasaboyoffourteenatthetimeandintheearlyyearsoftheOccupation).Theenemyassuchwasoccasionallybroughttomindwhenrestrictionswereintroducedandononemind-searchingeventwhenaGermansoldierwasdrowningintheseaatHavredesPas,wewereallstrongswimmersasweweremembersoftheDeLaSalleCollagewaterpoloteam,Irememberwewaveredforsometime-shouldwesavehimornot,wedidintheendbutcanremembernorealconnectionhoweverbetweenmyselfandmyfriendsandtheGermantroops.

AtthistimethenumberoftroopscomingintotheChannelIslandswasontheincrease.InJune1941HitlerissuedadirectivethattheIslandsshouldbereinforcedagainstalikelyattackbytheBritish.Inmilitarytermsthismeant,atfirst,oneinfantryregimentforeachofthemainIslands,sixteentanksandanunspecifiedamountofartillery.AmonthlaterHitlerdiscussedtheIslandsataconferencewithhisNavalchiefs.HesaidthatwhenthewarwasoverhewouldkeepthemforGermany.TheywouldnotbecomeFrenchpossessionsnorwouldhereturnthemtotheBritish.ItwasessentialforGermanytohavestrategicbasesintheChannel.TheIslandsweretobewhathecalledfortresses-thatis,fullyfortifiedareasdefendedbyallthemostmodernmilitaryhardwareand,toallintentsandpurposes,impregnable-FestungJerseyandFestungGuernsey.

InOctober1941Hitlercalledanothermeetingwiththechiefsofstaff.HerepeatedhisbeliefthattheBritishwouldtrytotaketheIslandsforprestigereasons.Thereforethefortificationsmustproceedwithallspeed.WithinaweekofHitler’sstaffmeetingtheentire319InfantryDivisionoftheGermanArmymovedintoJerseyandGuernsey,followedbythemilitaryarchitectsandconstructionengineersoftheTodtOrganisation.TheGermanshadcometostay.

IDcardswereissuedforthelocal

population

Chapter6SecretRadios,SlavesandDeportations

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heChannelIslandswerenowlockedintotheNazisystemwhichextendedovermostofWesternEuropefromNorwaytoGreece.ItwaseighteenmonthssincetheGermanshadfirstarrivedandnow,intheyear1942,theIslandersweretoreceivethreesevereshockswhichshowedthat,howeverpleasantandfriendlyindividualGermansmightbe,themastersoftheNaziregimehadprojectsinmindwhichweretothreatentheverylivesofthepeopletheyhadtakenover.

Everyonefelt,bothciviliansandlocalGermancommanders,thatachangeinthestyleoftheOccupationhadbegunfromtheearlymonthsof1942onwards.ThenumberofmilitarypersonnelcontinuedtoincreaseandestimatesputthefigureforalltheIslandsat25,000,risingtoaproposed36,000oncompletionofthefortifications.ForanofficialstatementontheplannedmilitarystrengthforthefinaldatethereisnobetterauthoritythantheArmeeoberkommando15whoserecordsgivethefiguresfortheapprovedestablishment.TheyshowtheArmyashaving18,460men,theLuftwaffe9,500,theNavy4,100,medicaltroops3,800andconstructionpioneers11,400,makingatotalof36,960.

Inthemeanwhileshiploadsofmaterialswerecominginand,inJersey,LeslieSinelnotesinhisDiarythat,oneday,hecountedfortyshipsandbargesunloadinginSt.Helierharbour.Weekafterweekthousandsofbagsofcementarrivedforever-growingdefenceworks–strong-points,bunkers,observationtowers,gunemplacementsandothermilitaryconstructions,includingundergroundstoreroomsandtunnels.Inthesummerof1942eighthundredtonsofbarbedwirecameintoJerseyalone.Gunsofallshapesandsizesarrived–101lighttoheavyartillerypieces,20mobilehowitzersand9medium,165anti-aircraftflakguns,80armourpiercingshoredefencecanonandavarietyofinfantrysupportweapons,includingmorters,machinegunsandrocketlaunchers.

InGuernseyasimilarbuild-upofweaponrywentonand,inaddition,GuernseyhadfourofthelargestgunsintheChannelIslands,theMirusbattery,eachwithacalibreoftwelveinchesandarangeoftwenty-fourmiles.

Anti-tanktraps,wireobstaclesandminesspreadalongthelovelycoastsofJersey,fromBelcroute,pastthewoodsofNoirmont,tothelittlebayofPortelet,tothewestalongthegreatsandyvistaofSt.Ouenandnorthwardswheregorsecoveredgrasslandslookdownonprimevalrocks,taperingawayeastwardstothegentlerseashoreofRozel.Overtheverdantbeautiesofthelandscapethehideousparaphanaliaofwardisfiguredtheheadlandsandbeacheswithgunsitesandconcretewalls.

Thefirstoftheshocksof1942wastheFeldkommandant’sannouncementthatallwirelesssetsweretobehandedinatcollectioncentres.FromthebeginningofJulylisteningtotheradiobecameillegal,theideabeingtopreventpeoplefromgettingnewsofthewar.Somehouseholderskepttheirsetsandhidtheminlofts,underdraincoversanddisguisedaspottedplants.DrJohnLewis,ageneralpractionerinJerseywho,atthetimeofthemassevacuationstoEngland,hadstayedbehindtolookafterhispatients,foundanalmostfoolproofhidingplace.

Itooksomebricksoutfromthesideofmychimneyinthedrawingroomandconcealedthewirelesssetinthewall.Therewasjusttheelectricleadgoingin.ThatwasvisiblebutImanagedtomakeitlooklikeaconnectiontoahandlamp.Iwascertainitwouldpassifthehouseweresearched.ItwasessentialformetohavethenewsandhearwhatwasgoingoninEnglandandelsewhere.TheGermansneverfoundit.

ThepenaltyforillegallisteningwasprisonandthismightmeanprisoninFrancewhereanythingmighthappen,includingtransportationtoaconcentrationcamp,nevertoreturn.ButtheneedtoheartheBBCnewswasstrongerthananyfearofdiscovery.TolosetheradiowastobewithouttheonelifelinetotheworldofsanityandfreedombeyondtheChannel.OneofthehidingplaceswasinachapelinSt.Helier,avividmemoryforDoreenHills:

WhentheGermanswantedalltheradiosinwethoughtitwouldbeagoodidea,ifwecould,tokeepone.Sowemanagedtogetanoldonefromanauntofourswhichwesentinunderournameandmydadkepttheotherone.Atfirsthewasn’ttoosurewheretoputit.Then,allofasudden,hehadagreatidea–we’llputitundertheorganinthechapel,hesaid.WewerethecaretakersoftheoldWesleychapel.Heputithere–underthefloorboards.Andheusedtogoupeverynightandlistentothenineo’clocknews.Sometimeshe’dgoupthroughthevestrybutatothertimeshe’dclimbinthroughthevestrywindowbecausehedidn’twanttobeseendoingthesamejourneyeverynight–theymighthaveimaginedtherewassomethinggoingon.

imaginedtherewassomethinggoingon.

OnedayaGermanofficerarrived.He’dbeengivenpermissiontoplaytheorgan-everyThursdayafternoon.Everyweekheusedtocome.Weputthekeyinthevestrydoorsohecouldlethimselfin.Thenhe’dgoupstairsandplay-itwasverygoodmusic-andwhenhe’dfinishedhe’dcomedownandlethimselfout.Ineversawhimbutmymotherdid.TherewasafuneraloneThursdayafternoonandshewasjustcomingthroughthevestryafterclosingthechurchwhenshesawthisGermanofficer.Hesmiledandwentoutandalthoughhecameagainmanytimes,weekafterweek,heneverrealisedthathewassittingontopofawirelessset.

Somepeoplewhohadgivenuptheirradiosregrettedobeyingtheorderandpaidvisitstothosehouseswhichstillhadthem.TedLabalastier,excoxswainoftheJerseylifeboat,rememberstheradioinhisfamilyhomeandthepeoplewhocametolistentoit.

Therewerecrowdsofthemwhoturnedupatnineo’clocktoheartheBBCnews.Theyallcamein.Itwasjustlikethepictures.

ToreplacetheradiosetswhichhadbeenhandedintotheGermansanewkindofreceivingapparatusappeared.Itwasnotexactlynew.Peoplehaduseditintheearlydaysofbroadcastinginthenineteentwenties.ThiswasthecrystalsetwhichcouldbemadequiteeasilybyfollowinginstructionsputoutontheairbytheBBC.Itrequiredheadphonesbecausethesoundlevelwaslow-andheadphonesweredifficulttofind.Insteadpeopleusedearpiecesfromold-fashionedtelephoneinstruments-thankstothefriendlyhelpofmenintheTelephoneDepartment.InJerseyDonaldLeGallais,abakerofSt.Ouen,madequiteanumberofthesesetsfortrustedfriends.

Ihadadozenofthesecrystalsetsathomeatonetime.IstartedmakingthembecauseamanIknewhadonewhichdidn’twork.IwasonmybreadroundatthetimeandIwentintohishousebecausehetoldmehewashavingtroublewithhiswiring.Betweenuswegotitgoingafterwefoundabitofcoppercable.AfterthatIwentonmakingthemandIsometimesgotbitsofcrystalfromcoal.Igavealotofthesesetstomycustomers–atleast,thosecustomersIknewIcoulddependon.

OnedayIgotcaughtwhileIwastestingasetforafarmerinhissittingroom.AGermanwalkedinandItriedtohidebehindthedoorbuthepulledouthispistolandputitinmyback.ThenhesawwhatIwasdoingwiththecrystalsetandhe

andputitinmyback.ThenhesawwhatIwasdoingwiththecrystalsetandheletmecarryon.HesaidhewantedtoheartheEnglishnews.Well,hewasn’ttheNazitypeandheknewtheGermanscouldn’twinthewar.Hetoldthefarmerthathewouldn’tsayanythingaboutthewirelessbecausehewasgoingtocomebackfromtimetotimetolistentotheEnglishnews.Intheendhewasgivingussetsofheadphones.

FatherReyoftheJerseyJesuitshadaquantityofpiecesofcrystalwhichhegavetopeople.HeevenshowedthemtotheGermanpolicewhentheycametoquestionhim.Hismannerwassocharmingandinnocentthattheywentaway,theirsuspicionsallayed.

LeslieSinel,authoroftheJerseyOccupationDiary,hadoneofthesecrystalsets.Beforegoingtobedeachnightheplacedthecat’swhisker(athinpieceofwire)atthesensitivespotonthecrystalsothathecouldgettheBBCnewsfirstthinginthemorningwhenhewouldtypeoutasummaryforcirculation.Heoftenfoundthatothershadalreadyhearditfromneighbours.“Thebushtelegraphhadnothingonus,”saidSinel.

ThesameworkoflisteningandtypingwascarriedoutinGuernseybutonalargerscale.AclandestinenewssheetknownasG.U.N.S.(GuernseyUndergroundNewsService)appearedallovertheIslandandespeciallyinSt.PeterPort.Itscirculationreachedahundredcopies,oneofwhichfounditswaysecretlytotheBailiff’sdeskeverymorning.ThenewsservicewasorganisedbyCharlesMachon,alinotypeoperator,andFrankFalla,anassistanteditor,bothworkingfortheGuernseyStar.Arosterforlisteninginvolvedthreeothers–CyrilDuqueminwhoworkedbydayinglasshousecultivationandtwocarpenters,LeggandGillingham.

AteamofsecretdistributorscirculatedtheG.U.N.S.newspaper.CharlesMachon’smothergaveoutadozensheetsdailytopeoplesheknew.Themilkmancarriedonecopyonhisroundforpeopletoreadbeforeheputitbacksafelyinanemptymilk-can.AnothercopylaybetweenthepagesofabookinthePriaulxLibraryinSt.PeterPort.Thosewhoknewthebooktitle(whichwaschangedeveryday)couldeasilyfindtheirwaytothehidingplace.

ThreecopieswenttoSark,onetobekeptinthebackroomoftheSarkbaker,HubertLanyon,forthoseofhiscustomerswhowerediscreet.EvensomeoftheGermansoldiersinSarkcouldbetrustedwiththeG.U.N.S.bulletin.TheywantedtoreadthetruefactsofthewarinplaceoftheNaziversioncomposedbyGoebbels’propogandaministry.HubertLanyononcesaidthathetrustedsomeof

Goebbels’propogandaministry.HubertLanyononcesaidthathetrustedsomeoftheGermansmorethanafewpeoplehecouldthinkof.Therewasathindividinglinebetweenbeingindescreetandbeinganinformer.

Itwasaninformer,intheend,whogaveawaytheG.U.N.S.publishingorganisationtothesecretpolice.Thegallantlittlebandwasroundedup.CharlesMachonreceivedbrutaltreatmentfromtheGeheimeFeldpolizeibecauseitseemedprobabletotheGermaninterrogatorsthattheG.U.N.Swasnotonlyanewspaperbutaresistancemovementplanningrebellion.

Machon’smothertooktoherbedwithanillnesssparkedoffbytheshockofherson’sarrest.TheGermans,withsurprisingcompassion,lethimoutofprisontovisither,accompaniedbyanEnglishspeakingguardwhostayedinthebedroomwhileMachontalkedtotheoldlady.Theyhadonlyfifteenminutesforthislastmeeting,Machontoldher.HearingthistheGermanguardsaidhewouldgivethemhalfanhourand,beforetakingMachonaway,hetoldtheoldladythathersonwasahero.

CharlesMachondiedofillhealth,starvationandbrutaltreatmentinPotsdamprisonin1944.JosephGillinghamdiedinprisoninFrankfurton-Main.FrankFallacontractedtuberculosisand,withErnestLeggandCyrilDuquemin,justsurvivedthestomachagoniesofstarvationinaprisonwhichwasastagingposttoexecution.

ForpeopleinJerseyandGuernseyintheyear1942thesecondshockwasthearrivalofforeignprisonerswhoweretoworkonthefortifications.TheTodtOrganisationneededlabourinadditiontotheGermansandothersnormallyemployed.Itcollectedaraggedmobofpoliticalcaptives,menandwomenfromcountriesover-runbytheNazis,prisonersofwarfromtheRussianfrontaninternationalflotsamofrefugeesfromalloverEurope.

Thesebedraggledvictims,wearingnothingbutragsovertheiremaciatedbodiesandstripsofclothroundtheirbleedingfeet,seemedhardlyhuman.Theywereill,hungryandwithouthope.TheNaziguardsbeatthemwithtruncheonswhentheyfelloverintheroadfromweakness,havingcomeacrossEuropeincattletrucksandfedoccassionallywithwaterysoupandbread.OnedayacrowdofthemweremarchingfromSt.HeilerharbourtoacampoutsidethetownwhentheywereseenbyJoeMière,thenateenagerwithajobintheEsplanadeandnowtheretiredcuratoroftheGermanUndergroundMilitaryHospital.

In1942inthesummertherewasacommotiongoingonintheEsplanadeoutside.Iwentouttoseewhatwashappening,followedbysomeofthestaff.TherewasabatchoffortyorfiftyslavesRussiansandUkranians-herdedalongbytheguardsoftheTodtOrganisationwhoallheldtruncheonslikepick-axehandlesintheirhands.Amongstthiscrowdwasawomanandsheaccidentallydroppedherpreciousbundleofbelongings.Sheranbacktopickitupbutoneoftheguardshitheracrossthehead.Shescreamedandthebloodfloweddownherface,mixedwiththegrime.Shescreamedagainastheguardhitherasecondtime.Thenshehadtorunontocatchupwiththecolumn,leavingherbundlebehind.OldMrsGarnerwhoworkedforuslookeduptotheskywithtearsinhereyesandsaid:“Oh,myGod,whereareyou?”

DuringthenextyearthetotalnumberofforeignslaveworkersbroughtintoJerseyandGuernseywas12,000.Hundredsoftheseforgottenmenandwomensleptinlabourcampswithlittleornocoveringforwarmthandhardlyanywaterorfood.DrJohnLewisofJerseydescribestheconditionsoftheslavesinacampatSt.Ouen.Afteraday’sworktheylinedupforwatertocleanthecementdustofftheirbodieswhichgavethemeczemasores.DrLewissaidthattherewasonlyonestandpipeandhundredsofprisonerswaiting.Manyofthemdidnotgettotheirbunksforsleepuntiltheearlyhoursofthemorning.

JennieSeymour,aresidentofTrinityinJersey,thenachildofseven,sawforthefirsttimeinheryounglife,someslaveworkersstandinginfrontoftheparishhallofSt.Aubin.

Therewasagroupofthem,possiblyaboutadozen,shackledbytheirankles,chainedtoeachother.Theywereinaverysadstate.Theirclothesvirtuallyhungonthem-notexactlyclothesbutrags.Icanrememberstandingtherelookingatthemandthengoinghometoaskmymotherifthebreadhadcome.Wehadoneloafeachaweekthen.Butmymothersaidithadn’tarrived.ThefirstthoughtIhadwhenIsawthosepeoplewastogetmyloafandgivethemsomebread.

Themiseryofworkingintheslavegangsledsomeoftheyoungermentobreakranksandescape,hopingtofindfoodforthemselves.Itwasherethattheyneededhelp.DrNoelMcKinstry,theJerseyMedicalOfficerofHealth,setupanorganisationespeciallyforthepurposeofaidingslaveworkerswhowereontherun.HeandArthurHalliwell,thesurgeonatthehospital,andDrJohnLewisformedacommitteewhichcompiledalistof“safehouses”–namesofpeoplewhowerepreparedtotakeintheescapedmen.McKinstrythenprovidedthefugitiveswithidentitycardsbygoingtosympatheticofficialsatoneorotherof

fugitiveswithidentitycardsbygoingtosympatheticofficialsatoneorotheroftheparishhallsandgivingthemaphotographofeachman.

Oneofthenamesonthe‘safehouses’listwasJackLeBreton,afarmerofSt.Mary,towhomanumberofescapedRussianshadalreadycomeforfood.Hiswidow,Phyllis,remembersonetheycalledTomasaconvenientnickname.Hearrivedonenight,halfstarvedandweakfromexhaustion.

Iwasinthekitchenwhenhetappedonthewindow.Weknewatoncethathewasanotherofthoseprisoners.Myhusbandalwaysgavethemsomethingtoeat.Iusedtosaytohim-you’replayingwithfire.Andmyfather-in-lawwasworried,too.Hesaid-you’llgetusallsenttoGermany.Iwasverynervousbutthisparticularonecametolivewithus.Hewasfilthydirtywhenhearrivedbutmyhusbandgavehimsomecleanclothes.Intheeveningshewouldsitwithmeinthekitchen,learningEnglish.Hewouldsay–whatmeansthis?Whatmeansthat?

Atnighthesleptinouroldcarinthegaragewhichwelockeduppermanentlybuttherewasasecretdoor.Wetrustedthisman.Hewasthesortofmanwecouldtrust.ThechildrenlovedhimandwhenhecouldunderstandsomeEnglishheusedtoreadthemfairystories.

SometimeswewouldbehereinthekitchenandwewouldseetheGestapooutofthewindow.OurRussianwouldgorunningoutofthebackdoortohide.Therewerealotofcloseshaveslikethat.TheGestapooftenusedtocome.Theydidn’tknock.Theywalkedstraightin.WhenourRussianfeltthattostaywithusanylongermightattractattentionhe’dmoveontoanotherofthehouseswherehe’dbesafe.

OneoftheescapedRussianslaveworkersinJerseyfoundshelterwiththeownerofagrocer’sshopinSt.Ouen,LouisaGould.Shetookhiminandfedhim.Afterthathestayedsomedaysinaroomattheback.LouisaGouldhadacuriousfeelingthatfateintendedherhouseasarefuge.TheRussianwasaboutthesameageashersonwhohadbeendrownedatseainanavalbattleandshebegantolookonthestrangevisitorasanewson,heavensentasaconsolationfortheboyshehadlost.DetailsofthestoryarerememberedbyHaroldCarter,aschoolmasterofSt.Lawrence.

ShedecidedtokeephimfortherestoftheOccupation.Ofcourse,itwasanindictableoffencetohideanescapedprisoner.Unfortunately,shewasgivenawaytotheGestapobyaninformer.That’swhatwassuspected-someonewho

awaytotheGestapobyaninformer.That’swhatwassuspected-someonewhoheldsomegrievanceorwasjealousandwantedtogetherintotroublefromsomefeelingofspite.Louisawastakenofftothetownprisonandinterrogated.ThetruthsooncameoutandLouisawassentovertoaGermanprisoninFranceandfinallytoRavensbruckconcentrationcamp.Thedevilsputherintoagaschamberandthatwastheend.

Herbrother,HaroldLeDruillenec,wasacolleagueofmineinanotherschool.Healsowasarrested.Atthattimewhenonememberofafamilyfellintothepolicenettherestofthefamilywereinvestigated.TheyaskedHaroldwhetherheknewthathissisterwashidingaRussian.Andifhedidwhyhadn’thereportedit?ThereplytheygotwasthatitwasnotanEnglishcustomtobeasneak,especiallyagainstone’sownfamily.

HewastakenacrosstoFranceandthenontoFresnesprisoninParis.EventuallyhearrivedataconcentrationcampnearFriedrichshavenandfinallyendedupinBelsen–thedeathcamp.Itwasfullofdyingvictims,someofthemdeadalreadyandtheirbodiesrottingawayintheopen.Thesicklystenchwasappalling,hetoldme.ItwasjustwhenhewasonhislastlegsattheendofthewarthattheAmericansburstintothecamp.Hemanagedtocrawltowardsthemonhishandsandkneesandcallout:“I’mBritish.”Hesurvived,thankstocareinamilitaryhospitalandhisownstrongphysique.Neitherhenorhissisterforsawwhatwouldhappenatthattimein1943.

ItwasnaturalforCommuniststoprovideaidforescapingRussianswithwhomtheyfeltaclosepoliticalaffiliation.TheJerseybranchofthePartycameintobeingbecauseoftheurgentneedtohelpescapingcomrades.NormanLeBrocqwasoneoftheleadersofthemovementandheremembershowtheRussiansweretreatedbythepolice,theFeldpolizeior,astheywerecalledinFrench,theFeldgendarmerie.

TheFeldgendarmeriewereactivelylookingforanyoftheseescapeesand,whencaught,theywerebeatenquitebadlyinthecampstheyweretakenbackto.Inoneparticularexample,ayoungfellowwho,Iwastold,wasonlyaboutsixteenwasshotdowninthethestreettryingtoevaderecapture.

Asmallgroupofus–speakingfrommemory,somethingliketenoradozenyoungpeopleheadedbyLesHuelinandtoacertainextentbymyself,formedaCommunistPartyatthattime,reallyasaresistanceorganisation.OneofitsimmediatetaskswastoprovidesuppliesoffoodandclothingfortheseescapedRussians.

Russians.

Onewomanweknew,MrsMetcalfwhowasRussianinorigin,camehereasamarriedladyinthenineteenthirties.ShetookituponherselftoteachanumberoftheseyoungSovietpeople-mostlyUkranians,incidentally,ratherthanRussians-enoughEnglishtogetbyiftheywerecaughtonthestreets-purelycolloquialEnglish,nothingverygrammaticalbutjustenoughtoseethemthroughacursoryexamination.

Shehadonesuchyoungfellow,MihailKrohim,inherflat–whichwasupapassagewayandthenupsomestairsatthesideofoneofthetownshops.MihailwasinthelivingroomandshewasteachinghimsomeEnglishwhentheFeldgendarmerie,possiblytippedoffbysomebody,werehammeringattheoutsidedoorinthestreetdownthepassageway.StellaPerkins,herdaughter,answeredandtheyburstin.Thenoiseandtheclatterandtheraisedvoicescausedtheupstairsclasstoendabruptly.

MihailgothimselfintoacupboardatthetopofthestairsandtheFeldgendarmeriebunchburstintothelivingroomandstartedsearchingthere.Mihailslippeddownthestairsandoutintothestreet.Therecan’tbeamoreluckyescapethanthat.

Thethirdshockoftheyear1942cameinthemiddleofSeptemberwhenanoticeappearedinthelocalpapersofJerseyandGuernsey.ItsaidthatallpersonsnotborninanyoftheChannelIslandswiththeirentirefamiliesweretopacksuitcasesandpreparetobetransportedtointernmentcampsinGermany.Thewordingofthenoticewasquiteunequivocal.

ByorderofthehigherauthoritiesthefollowingBritishsubjectswillbeevacuatedandtransferredtoGermany.

(a)PersonswhohavetheirpermanentresidencenotontheChannelIslands;forinstance,thosewhohavebeencaughtherebytheoutbreakofwar.

(b)AllthosenotbornontheChannelIslandsbetweenand16to70yearsofagewhobelongtotheEnglishpeople,togetherwiththeirfamilies.

ToshowthattheorderwasofficialthenoticeboretherankandnameoftheFeldkommandant,OberstKnackfuss.Thecrisishaditsoriginineventswhichhadtakenplaceayearpreviously.In1941theBritishGovernmenthad

complainedtotheGovernmentofIran(whichwasneutral)abouttheactivitiesofGermanspecialistsinTehran–engineersandprofessionalpeopleofthatsortwhohadbeenassistingtheNazisinvariousways.TheBritishambassadorrequestedthattheGermansshouldbeinternedorhandedovertotheAllies.

HitlerflewintooneofhishistrionicragesandthreatenedthatforeveryGermanarrestedoneUK-bornpersonintheChannelIslandswouldbetakentoGermanyandinterned.AlittlelaterHitlerwasagaininafuryoverthepresumptionsoftheBritishandnoworderedtenEnglishmenandtheirfamiliestobeinternedforeveryGerman.Estimatesshowedthattherewere500GermansinIranatthetimeandifalltheseweretakenintocustodyHitlerwouldrequire5000hostagesfromtheChannelIslands,presumingtheratiotobe10to1.

ThedeportationorderwasdelayedforatimeinthependingtraysoftheForeignMinistryinBerlin.HeadsofdepartmentswereworriedthatiftheorderwereputintoeffectGermanassetsintheCityofLondonwhich,uptothen,hadremainedintactmightbeconfiscated.AlmostayearwentbyandthenHitlernoticedthatnothinghadbeendoneabouttheChannelIslandshostages.Heinsistedonimmediateaction.

Itwasnotpossible,evenfortheFührer,tospeeduptheprocessesinvolvedwhichhadrunintoanumberofobstacles.TheForeignMinistryreluctantlymadethefirstmovebutfoundthattheDepartmentforSeaTransporthadnoshipstospareasallvesselswereneededformoreurgentwarmovements.TheArmywasalsoopposedtotheplan.Wherewouldallthesedeporteesbehoused?Therewerenoemptyprisonerofwarcamps.Inanycase,militarycommandersobjectedtobeingresponsibleforwomenandchildrenandespeciallyforwomenwhomightbepregnant.

Hitlerwasadamant.Hisordermuststand.AfterthedifficultieshadbeenovercometheorderatlastreachedColonelKnackfuss,sittingathisdeskinJersey.TheFeldkommandantwasstartled,thenalarmedwhenherealisedwhatitwouldmeaninhisIslandjurisdiction.Buttherewasnopossibilityofignoringtheorder.IthadcomedirectfromtheFührer.

ThechiefofthedefenceforcesintheIslands,ColonelGrafvonSchmettowandotherseniorcommandersofthelocalgarrisonsweredeeplyshockedandembarrassed.Hitler’sorderrevokedthepromisewhichtheArmyhadgivenatthetimeoftheinvasionthatrespectwouldbeshowntothelives,propertyand

libertyoftheIslandersiftheysurrenderedpeacefullyandconductedthemselvesinanorderlyfashion.Thiswasasolemnundertakingwhich,ifbroken,reflectedonthehonouroftheWehrmacht.Buttherewasnothingtobedone.Alltheobjectionshadalreadybeenargued.

Theremainingquestionwastheactualnumberofpersonstobedeported.Revisionstotheoriginalestimateshadbroughtthefiguredown.Intheend1200wentfromJersey,825fromGuernseyand9fromSark,makingatotalof2,034.Itwasasadandyetheroictime.Thefamiliesembarkingforanunknownfuturedidsowithcommendablecourageanddignity.Husbands,wives,children,oldbachelorsandwidowers–allcameintothedeportationnet.ThedeparturescenesoftheexilesarestillrememberedbyMichaelGinns,thenateenager,nowSecretaryoftheChannelIslandsOccupationSociety.WhenthenewsbrokehewaswalkingdownBathStreetinSt.Helierwithhismother.

Wemetafriendofmymother’sgoingintheoppositedirectionandlookingasifawallhadfallenonher.Mymothersaid:“Whatonearthhashappened?”Thefriendreplied:“It’samostterriblething.We’reallgoingtobetakenawaytoGermany.”Sureenough,outsidetheEveningPostofficetherewasacopyofthatday’sissueinthewindowandanannouncementsaidthatallmaleinhabitantswhowerenotbornintheChannelIslands,togetherwiththeirfamilies,wouldbeevacuatedtoGermany.Itcameoutofthebluewithnowarningwhatsoever.

AGermansoldierwasgoingroundservingdeportationnoticesonthosepeopleunfortunateenoughtobechosen.Therewasnotimeatalltogetreadyforthoseinthefirstbatch.Noticeswereservedthatevening.Somepeoplewereevenpulledoutofbedatmidnighttoreceivetheirorders-andtheyhadtobedownattheWeighbridgefortwoo’clockthatafternoon.Itgavethemnotimetodisposeofvaluables,seethatthehousewasinorder,havepetstakentotheAnimalSheltertobeputtosleep,iftheyhadpets.

Wewerefortunate.Wedidn’tgountilthesecondbatchsowehadalittlemoretime.Evensoitwasstillarush.ThedogandthecathadtogototheAnimalShelter,thehousehadtobeseentoandonehadthisterriblesenseofurgencytogeteverythingpacked.Inthemiddleofallthismyfatherwhowaselderlyandnotingoodhealthfainted.Butthisdidn’tdousanygoodbecausetheGermanArmydoctorinattendanceattheWeighbridgesaid-“bringhimroundandgethimintheboat”.

DuringtheperiodthatwewerewaitingI’llalwaysrememberayoungGermansoldier–astudiouslookingfellowwithhishornrimmedspectacles-speakingalittleEnglish.Hecameuptomeandsaid:“We’reverysorryforwhatishappeningtoyou.Onbehalfofmycomradesandmyself,Iwouldliketoapologise.Itiswrongforwartobemadeonwomenandchildren.”

CrowdsgatheredneartheStHelierharbourforalastglimpseoftheirfriendsgoingaboardtheships.Suddenlypeoplestartedsingingthesongsofthosedays,“We’llMeetAgain”,“TheWhiteCliffsofDover”and“There’llAlwaysBeAnEngland.”Itwastakenupbythoseontheships.Thesoundcamefloatingacrossthewaterandthentheflutteringhandkerchiefswavinginthedistancedisappearedfromview.Theexileshadgone.

Thedeportationscontinuedandononeoccasiontempersflaredandendedupwithanearriotandsomelocalmenbeingarrested.RichardWilliamsrecalls.

ThedeportationofnonChannelIslanderswasthenearestwecametoopenrevoltagainsttheGermans.IwasinacrowdofsixorsevenhundredatMountBinghamoverlookingtheharbour.ThisoccasionmusthavebeenthesecondoreventhirddeportationpartyastheGermans,forreasonsunknown,releasedthedeporteesafterfivetosixhoursofthembeingaboardtheshipatthedocksideandsentthemhome.Allsortsofpatrioticsongsweresungandinsultswereshoutedattheguardssurroundingthegroup.ScufflesbrokeoutandtheGermansbroughtinreinforcements.AmachineguncrewcompletewithmachinegunsarrivedandpositionedontherockescarpmentsoverlookingMountBingham.Theriotorsemi-riotbrokeupwhenitwasnoticedthatthedeporteeshadbeenreleasedandwerecarryingtheirbelongingsdownthequayandintotown,eventhoughsomeGermantroopshadbeeninvolvedwithlocalmeninpunch-ups.

Mainpicture:‘VictoryintheWest’showsinIslandcinemas

Inset:Thepropagandabegins,‘TheDeclineandFalloftheBritishEmpire’goesonsaleinlocalbookshops

ThesephotographswereexhibitedthroughouttheGermanEmpiretoshowtheOccupationofBritishterritory

Everyphotoopportunityistaken.Inset:

English-GermandictionariesgoonsaleTransport,1941andnewroadsigns

SemaphoredrillfortheGermanNavyin

frontofasuitablebackdrop Range-finder–NoirmontPoint,Jersey

Anti-Aircraftpractice

Increasingdefences

VisitofFieldMarshallvonWitzleben(5thfromright)

Lookingforfortificationsites,La

Corbière,JerseyTop:EquipmentforthefortressIslands

Centreandright:WorkonMakingtheIslandsimpregnable

Preparingdefencepointsforanti-tanktraps,minesandbarbedwireThedaytheBBCwas‘verboten’

OldtypeofradiosetinGermancollection

Chapter7TheYearofFate

I

twasinthethirdyearoftheOccupation-thelastpartof1942andoninto1943–whenpeopleheardthattheGermanswerelosingonallthebattlefrontsofthewar.HiddenradioscarriedthenewsofRussian,BritishandAmericansuccessesinhaltingtheonceirresistibledriveoftheNaziwarmachine.

OnOctober23rdGeneralMontgomerylaunchedhisoffensiveatElAlamein,surgingwestwardagainstRommel’sAfrikaKorpsthroughSidiBarrani,TobrukandTripoli.OnNovember7ththeAmericanslandedatAlgiers,OranandCasablancawheremanyoftheAlgerianFrenchjoinedthem.TheFrenchnavyinToulonscuttledthefleettopreventitsfallingintothehandsoftheGermans.InFebruaryGeneralvonPaulussurrenderedtheGermanSixthArmytotheRussiansatStalingradandelsewhereinthevastterritoriesoftheSovietUniontheGermandrivetotheEastwasboggeddowninsnowandmud.

InJerseytheFeldkommandant’sbanonradiolisteningbytheIslandersnowincludedGermansoldiersaswell,notonlybecauseofthenewsfromNorthAfricaandRussiabutalsobecauseofmassiveairraidsontheGermanhomeland.TheRAF’sthousandbomberraidonColognewasfollowedbyacontinuoussaturationbombingofwarmanufacturingcentres.DestructionraineddownonthegreatGermancitiesofthewest–Essen,Bremen,Stuttgart,EmdenandOsnabruck.ThenightlypoundingbytheRAF,joinedbydaybytheUnitedSatesAirForce,reducedbuildingstorubblewithbrokenroofsopentothesky.900tonsofbombscamedownonKrupp’sfactoriesintheRuhr,devastating160acresofindustrialproperty.ThereweresoldiersintheChannelIslandswhohad

acresofindustrialproperty.ThereweresoldiersintheChannelIslandswhohadtheirwivesandfamiliesinthestrickenareas.

TheProgressoftheAlliesmadelittleimmediatedifferencetolifeintheIslandsexceptthatpeoplecouldnowimagineafuturewhentheOccupationwouldcometoanend.Itwas,infact,thenewscomingthroughillegalcrystalsetsandotherreceiverswhichkeptuptheislanders’spiritsand,sincetheinformationspreadtotheGermans,italsounderminedmoraleintheoccupyingforces.Insomeplaces,particularlyinSark,Germansoldierscamequiteopenlytoaskwhatthelatestnewswas.

Theturnofeventsalsogaveacertaingroupofyoungstersarenewedsenseofpurposeagainsttheoccupyingforces.DonBell,RichardWilliams&Francis(Jock)Harriswereamongthem.

TheForumcinemawasmainlyusedbytheGermantroops.West’sCinemawasusedbybothlocalsandGermans.OurfirstmajorsabotageeffortstartedwiththeForumonanautumnnightin1942.ThecarparkswerefilledwithGermanofficer’scarsandtheparkingareawasslopedtotheroad.Twolocalyouthshadtheideathoughtoversomeweekstoblowupthecars.Approximatelysixlengthsofgardenhosewereinsertedintothepetroltanksofselectedcars.Afteralittlesuckingonthesehosesthepetrolflowedandstartedrunningdownthecarparktothegutterattheroad.PetrolstreameddowntheguttertoadrainatthejunctionofGreenStreetandColomberie.Thesaboteurswaitedwithaboxofmatchesatthedrain.Thefirewouldhaverunbackupthegutterpassingthecarstothepetroltanksandblownupthesixcarsmostlikelyfiringfifteentotwentycars.Itdidnothappenasthetwoladslosttheirnerve.Aftersometimeofindecisionthehoseswereremovedandpetrolcapsscrewedbackon.Theonlybenefitwouldbethesixcarsrunningoutoffuelontheirwaybacktothebarracks.

ThegroupcontinuedtheiractivitiesthroughtoOctober1944inwhichtheymadeover24raidsonvariousplacesincludinggunpositionsandstoresmainlyinthewinterandbynight,collectingitemsrangingfromclothesandfoodstuffstoriflesandhand-grenadesandevenacanoewithaviewtoescapingtoFrance.

OnoneoccasionwewerearrestedbytwoGermansafterbreakingintoCommercialStreetfoodstore.Theymusthavethoughtthatbecausewewerequiteyoungthattheycouldhandleussoonepasttheotherhisrifleandhegrabbedusbythescruffoftheneck.Ashemarchedusupthestreetweturned

andgavehimawhackinthestomachwithallourforcewhichputhimdownandastheotherfumbledwithboththerifleswejumpedonhimthrewhimtothegroundandgavehimagoodkickingandmadearunforit.WemanagedtocreepintoWest’sCinemathroughafireexitandmixedwiththecrowdwhichcertainlysavedus.

Thegroupwerenevercaughtinactionbutwereeventuallyarrestedandimprisonedin1944onlytoescapemonthslater.

Rationinghad,ofcourse,beenafeatureofday-to-daylifefromthebeginningbutnowthefoodshortageshadtheeffectofincreasingthenumberofburglaries.In1942sixtytheftsaweekwerereportedtothepoliceinGuernsey,mainlyfood.Farmershadtoguardtheircowstopreventtroopsorescapedslaveworkersfromhelpingthemselvestomilkatthesource.Thievesstolechickens,goats,rabbits,pigsandgeneralfoodstuffssuchasgrain,evensoap.Theworstaspectofthethievingwasfear.Itwasdangerousforafarmerorhouseholdertodefendhisgoodsandbelongings.Hemightbeshotatorreceiveablowfromahardobjectinthehandsofanescapedforeignworker.

In1943theshortageoffoodinducedmanypeopletoexperimentwithrecipesbasedonseaweedandotherunusualingredients.LouiseBoardofSt.Saviour’sinGuernseyremembershercarrageenmosspudding.

Weusedtomakeablancmangeoutofcarrageenmoss.Thismosswhichisakindofseaweedhadtobedriedandthencrumbledupintoapowder.Youputthisintoasaucepanwithmilkanditmakessomethinglikeablancmange.Verynourishing-ithasawiderangeofnutrientsbutIstartedtakingitbecauseIhadlosttheliningofmystomachandthiscarrageenmosswithmilkrestoreditforme.

Themosswouldcomereadygroundfromthechemist.Thatwastheonlywayyoucouldgetitthenbecauseitwasimpossibletogodownonanyofthebeaches.Theyweremined.

Sometimeswecouldgetsugarbeet.Ifyouboileditoverandoveragainitturnedintotreacle.Thatwasanotherwayofsweeteningthingswhentherewasnosugar.

Weusedtogratecarrotsandmixthemwithgratedpotatoesandoats.Thismadeaquitetastysteampudding.Andyoucouldalsohavecarrottea.

Foodwasoneofthecommoditiesexchangedinasystemofbarterwhichstartedwhenretailerscouldnolongerreplenishtheirbareshelves.Apartfromfood,supplieswererunningoutofarticlessuchasteapots,towelsandwearingapparel.

Announcementsofsecond-handgoodsforbarterappearedinthelocalpress.Sometimesshopkeepersplayedthepartofagentsinthisemergencycommerce.Theylookedaftervariousarticleswhoseownershadleftnotessayingwhattheywouldlikeinexchange.Anelectrictoastermightbeofferedforapairofsilkstockingsandtheshopkeeperwouldreceiveacommissionindeutschmarks.ForatimeitwasathrivingbusinessbutaftertwoyearstheGermansorderedalimittothearticlesonoffer.

ThedailytwistsandturnsofmakingdowithwhatyoucouldgetisstillrememberedbyRosemaryMartellofTortevalinGuernsey.

Therewasagreatbartergoingonthroughthenewspaper.Somepeoplewouldsaytheyhadstoredupsomesugarandtheywouldwantacoatorapairofshoes.Butapartfromfoodshortages,weranoutofcoal.Thenwehadtofindsomethingelse.Wewentwooding.Intheautumntherewerebranchesoftreesblowndownbythegales.Wecollectedthose.Toeconomiseonwhatfuelwehadwedidpartofthecookinginhayboxes.Youboiledupyoursaucepan–souporsomething–andwhenitwasreadyyouputitinthehayboxandthehaywarmedit.Wealsohadasawdustbox–abigbiscuittinfromthegrocer’s–andthathadthesameeffectofkeepingtheheatin.

InJerseyDonaldLeGallaisofSt.Ouenhadanothermethodofemergencycooking.Itwasasortofbarbecueinthegardenoutsidethehouse.

Whenwecouldgetitweusedwoodforfuelastherewashardlyanycoalatthattime.Ihadanoldtardrumcutinhalf.Iputironbarsalongthetoptomakeagrill.ItcouldalsoheatanovenwhichImadeoutofatinbox.Wecouldn’tlightitinthehousebecauseofallthesmokeandsmell.

OneeveningwewerecookingaspecialOccupationdishconsistingoftomatoesandpotatoes.Theywerejustfryingnicelyandalmostreadywhen,allofasudden,aGermanofficercameroundthecornerofthehouse.Hewantedtoknowwhatweweredoingoutsideasitwasaftercurfewtime,althoughhecouldseewewerecookingoureveningmeal.Butthecurfewwasmoreimportantforhimsohekickedthewholelotoverandwehadtogowithoutoursupper.Some

himsohekickedthewholelotoverandwehadtogowithoutoursupper.Someofthemwerelikethat.

OnedayDonaldLeGallaiswaswithafarmerandtheycameuponsomerailwaysleepersinafield:

TheGermanshadbroughtaloadofthesesleepersupnearourplace.TheyweregoingtorunatrainfromRoneztoLesLandes.Sobeingthatwewereshortofwoodwethoughtthatwewouldhelpourselvestoafew.Theyhadalovelystrongsmelllikepine,Iremember.AcoupleofdayslatertheGermansturnedup,askingeveryoneaboutthesleepers.ThefarmersaidheknewnothingaboutthembuttheGermanssearchedinhisshedandfoundapile.Theytooknoexcusesandheendedupinprisonforamonth.

Thefollowingweekafriendofourscameoutfromtowntoseeus.Onherwayshesawapileofthesesleepersinagate-way.So,eventhoughtheywereheavy,shemanagedtodragthemtoourhouse.Shesaid–Ifoundtheseandnowwecanheatupthosebakedbeans.Youshouldhaveseenherfacewhenwetoldherthatthefarmeracrosstheroadhadjustbeensenttoprisonforamonth.

Thesearchforwoodtoburnbecamearegulardailytaskamongwomen,somethinglikegoingshopping,asMarcellaDarlingofJerseyrecalls:

Nobodycanunderstandwhowasn’thereatthetimehowveryimportantapieceofwoodwas.Nowadayswelookatwoodaswood.Butinthosedaysweneededitasfuel.Occasionallythemenwouldgetapermittofellatreeandthey’dbringhomesomegreenwoodwhichwouldn’tburnverywell.Ifwepickedupapieceofoldwooditwasahelpforthefire-andwehadanopenfireinourhome.Afirelikethatwouldboilakettlefullofwater.Inthatwetookabath-astandupstripbathwithakettleofwater,ifwewerelucky.Noteverybodyhadwoodforboilingakettlejustforthatluxuryandonthoseoccasionswehadtousecoldwater.Dayafterdayyoufeltyouwouldlovetohavearealbathinsteadofwashinginakettleofwater.

MarcellaDarlingalsothinksofshoesandhowdifficultitwastoreplacethem:

Whenshoesworeoutpeoplehadthemresoledwiththingslikemotortyres–anythingthatwoulddo.Butsmartfashionableshoeswerereallyvaluable.IcanrememberexchangingapairofshoesthatIwasratherfondof.Someotherwomanhadhereyesonthem.Shesaid:“Iwillgiveyou...”Iforgotwhat...it

mighthavebeenapieceofblackmarketpork,somethingintheedibleline...Ilikedthoseshoesand,foolishly,Ipartedwiththem.

AwomanhadtokeepuphermoraleasbestshecouldinthedrearydaysoftheOccupationandfacedtheproblemofinventingnewclothes,asMarcellaDarlingremembers.

Weusedolddresses.Weturnedtheminsideout,cutthemoutagainandmadethemupasnew.IcanrememberonedressthatIwore.IthadbeenabrightgreenwhichIdidn’treallylike.Idyedtheskirtpartofitasortofpetrolblueandusedthetoppartforanewjacket.Thewholethingwasinsideout–prewarmaterialofgoodquality.Ihadafriendwhodidalotofknittingandsheusedtoundooldwoollengarmentsandknitthemupincompletelynewstyles.

OnepersonwhohadnoproblemswithherclotheswasaJerseywomanknowntosomeasGingerLou,thegirl-friendofahigh-rankingGermanofficer.Whileotherwomenhadtobecontentwithalteringdressestheyhadwornforyears,GingerLoutookoveranythingshefanciedfromthewardrobesofthewealthywhohadlefttheIslandjustbeforetheGermansarrivedandhershoescamefromtheFaubourgSt.Honoré.ThegallantDrJohnLewiswhohadstayedintheIslandin1940withhispatientsoftensawGingerLouflauntingherfineryinthestreetsofSt.Helier.

Shehadidentifiedherselfcompletelywiththemaster-raceandwentaboutinachauffeurdrivencarbecauseshewasthemistressofoneofthehigh-ups.Sheusedtoappearinthetownlookinglikeafashionplate.Ifshesawaqueueofpeopletryingtobuy,perhaps,oneeggorwhateveritwas,shewouldjustgototheheadofthequeueandsaythatshewouldhavealltheeggsthatwerethere.Andofcourse,shehadthebackingofherlover.Afterthatthequeuewouldhavetodisperse.

ShortagesnotonlyoffooditemsbutalsoofdrugsattheJerseyHospitalwerebeginningtohaveseriousconsequences.AsupplyofinsulinhadbeenorderedfromGermanybutonitswaythroughFranceithadbeenstolenbyagentsoftheblackmarketanddiabeticpatientsdiedforthelackofit.

ForsurgicaloperationstheElectricityCompanyfedaspecialsupplytothehospitalatthecostofblackingoutotherpartsoftheIsland.Itwasatthistime,accordingtothethenResidentMedicalOfficer,Dr.AverellDarling,thatthenursesusedtodotheirroundsatnightsharingahurricanelamp.

nursesusedtodotheirroundsatnightsharingahurricanelamp.

Theconstanttrickeryinthequestforfoodbecamealife-style.Whenpeoplemetineachother’shousestheywouldcomparenotesonwhichoftheblackmarketmerchantshadastockofacertainitem.DeceivingtheGermansinordertogetfoodofficiallyallocatedtothegarrisonswasadeadlygamebeingplayedallthetime.InGuernsey,RaymondFalla,inchargeofagriculturalarrangements,kepttwosetsofbooks–onefortheGuernseyStatesandtheotherfortheGermans.

Farmershadwaysofkeepingbackapigortwoforthemselvesinsteadofshowingthemontheofficialregister.ButtheyhadtobeonthewatchforvisitinginspectorsfromtheDepartmentofAgricultureortheFeldkommandantur.PeterFrampton,nowanamusementarcademanager,wasateenagerduringtheOccupation.Hewasworkingwithhisfather,abutcher,partlyintheshopandpartlyonspecialblackmarketdeals.TheywerenearlycaughtataJerseyfarmwhentheywereabouttocarveuptwoslaughteredpigs.

Wehadthesepigsonthekitchentableandwewerejustpreparingtocutthemup,myfatherandI,whenallofasuddenwelookedoutofthewindowandsawGermansoldiers–apatrolofsomekind.Theyobviouslywerecomingtosearchtheplace.So,immediatelywethought–whattheheckarewegoingtodo?Then–quickthinking–wegotthefarmer’swife,thedearlady,andsaid–upstairsquickandgotobed.Thenwehunkedthepigsoverourshoulders,threwthemintothebedwithherandcoveredthemover.TherewasaloudbangingonthedoorandtheGermanscamein.Wesaid–pleasedonotmakeanynoisebecausetheladyupstairsisgoingtohaveababy.Sotheofficerinchargewentupandtheladyinthebedstartedmoaningandgroaning.Theofficersaid–it’sallright,wewillleaveyou.Thankyouverymuch.Sorrytohavecausedyouanytrouble.

IllegalradiolisteningcontinuedandbroughtnewsoftheAlliedarmiesinItalyalthoughindividuallisteninginGuernseycouldnotfillthegapleftbythedisappearanceoftheG.U.N.S.newssheetswhichhad,ofcourse,ceasedpublicationwiththearrestofCharlesMachon,FrankFallaandtheirfellowresistanceworkers.

Jersey,too,haditsheroesofthehiddenradio.CanonCohu,amanofimmensecourageandgoodwill,keptaradiosetinhischurch,St.Saviour’s.HewasaretiredchaplainfromtheIndianArmywithanunshakeablefaithinBritainandtheBritishEmpire.HewouldretailtheBBCnewstopeoplehepassedinthe

theBritishEmpire.HewouldretailtheBBCnewstopeoplehepassedinthestreetand,whenvisitinganyofhisparishionersinhospital,wouldtakehisnotesofthenewsonapieceofpaperslippedintothepagesofhisBible.TheGermanssenthimtoprisononthecontinentandheneverreturned.

PeterPainter,abusinessman,hadaradioandwasarrestedwithhissonwhenitwasdiscovered.EdwardRoss,adentist,andhiswife,Nan,fellintothehandsofthesecretpolicebecause,inthefirstplace,theyweregivingfoodtostarvingRussianslaveworkers.Thenasearchoftheirhouserevealedaradio.LikeCanonCohuandPeterPainter,theyweredrawnintothecontinentalnetworkofprisonsandconcentrationcamps.

Thewinterof1943,goingintotheearlymonthsof1944,seemedlonganddark.Whencandlesdisappearedfromtheshopssomepeopleuseddieseloilinoldtobaccotinswithaholeinthetopandashoelacethreadedthroughtoserveasawick.ThegassupplyinJerseywasavailableforonlyafewhoursadayandpeoplecontinuedscavengingforwoodortheyusedsawdustsoakedintar,accordingtoDoreenHillsofSt.Helier.

Mymotherusedtogotothegasworks.Shewouldgetabucketoftarforsixpenceandbringitbackhometopouroverthewoodorsawdustorwhateverwehad.Ofcourse,thatmadeaterriblemessofthegrate.

Foodprices,evenontheofficialmarket,weresteadilyrising.MeatinJerseywas11shillingsapoundin1942andayearlaterithadrisento15shillings.Sugarwentupfrom12shillingsandsixpenceapoundto16shillingsandthenonto20shillings.Butterwas25shillingsapoundin1942and30shillingsin1943,risingto50shillingsbytheendoftheOccupation.Blackmarketpriceswereevenhigher.Itwasariskybusinessforthoseengagedinit.TherewerefiftyblackmarketprosecutionsinGuernseyin1943andoverahundredin1944.AnyonediscoveredkeepingapigwithouthavingregistereditwiththeFarmProduceBoardhadtopayafineof£5orspendfiveweeksinprison.Anillegallyslaughteredpigattractedafineof£10ortenweeksinprison.TheGermanscutoffthewatersupplyat5pm.inSt.HelierandthishaddisastrousconsequencesinthemiddleofJanuary.DeGruchy’sStoreinKingStreetwasinflames.ThefirebrigadesofSt.Helier,St.AubinandGoreyarrivedonthescenebuthalfanhourwentbybeforewatercamethroughthehosepipes.Everyonefeltamountingtensionaswintergavewaytospring.TheFeldkommandantaddednewrestrictionstodailyliving.Morepeoplewerearrestedforradiolisteningandtheauthoritiesorganisedapolicetrapforblackmarketeers.ItwasasifHitler’sofficialslivedinastateofcontinualnervous

marketeers.ItwasasifHitler’sofficialslivedinastateofcontinualnervousanxiety.TheirArmyandNavyIntelligenceinterceptedmessagessuggestingthattheAllieswouldsoonlaunchamassiveinvasionoftheFrenchcoastandHitler’sbestgenerals,vonRundstedtandRommel,preparedtodefendthewesternboundariesoftheReich.

Chapter8IslandsunderSiege

A

llieddeceptiontacticsinthefirstweekofJune,1944,preventedtheGermansfromknowingtheareachosenforthelongawaitedSecondFront.TheNaziHighCommandthoughtthatseveraldiversionarylandingswouldprobablytakeplaceontheDutchandBelgiancoasts,inNormandyandinsouthwestFrancewhilethemainthrustwouldbeinthePasdeCalais.

TwodaysbeforeD-daythemeteorologicalforecastindicatedroughweatheruntilJune8thor9thwhichledtheGermanstosupposethatnoinvasioninanyofthelikelyareascouldbeexpectedforfourorfivedays.Despitetheweather,GeneralEisenhower,asAlliedCommander-in-Chief,embarkedhisBritish,CanadianandAmericanforcesontheeveningofJune5thtoarriveofftheNormandybeachesintheearlyhoursofJune6th.InJersey,GuernseyandSarkpeoplecouldhardlyfailtorealisethatsomegiganticmilitaryoperationwasafoot.AllnightlongwaveafterwaveofplanesflewovertheislandstowardstheFrenchmainland.PeterFramptonofJerseywasatafriend’shotelinArchirondelontheeveningofJune5th.

Therewasthisbigdronewhichcameuptoquiteacrescendoastheplanescamenear.Theremusthavebeenhundreds,probablythousandsaswellasglidersgoingover.ThentheGermanack-ackbatteriesallovertheislandopenedup.Theyletripwitheverythingtheyhadandthegroundreallyshook.Wethought–thisisit.ThebattleofNormandyisabouttobegin.

EntriesinLeslieSinel’sOccupationDiaryalsodescribethearmadaofplanespassingoveronthenightofJune5thandintothefollowingmorning.TheGermansintheChannelIslands,thinkingthattheAllieswouldsoonarrive,beganananti-invasionroutine.AproclamationwasissuedwarningpeopleofthedeathpenaltyiftheyattackedGermanforcesorcommittedactsofsabotage.RedCrossflagswentuponhospitalsinJerseyandGuernseyandguardswere

CrossflagswentuponhospitalsinJerseyandGuernseyandguardsweredoubledatthelabourcamps.

Dr.JohnLewisofJerseywassoexcitedattheprospectoftheOccupationcomingtoanendthathefeltquiteunabletogotobed.Instead,hetookamattressandablanketoutsideonhislawnandspentthenightlisteningtothemiraculoussoundofwhathefeltsurewastheSecondFront.NextmorningtheBBCnewsconfirmedthattheAllieshadlandedinFrance.HopesforanearlyreleasewerewidespreadamongislandersbutevenwhenMontgomeryhadcapturedCaenandFalaiseandtheAmericanshadreachedtheLoireValleytherewasstillnosignofliberation.YetMarcellaDarlingofJersey,likethousandsofothers,believedthatrescuemustsooncomefromthearmiesinNormandy.

WelookedacrossandwecouldhearthegunfirebecauseBritishnavalvesselswerebombardingtheFrenchcoastnotfaraway–adistanceofaboutfourteenorfifteenmiles.Andthesoundofitwasvery,veryloud.Sowethoughtanydaynowthey’llbewithus.

TwomonthsafterD-DayAlexanderCoutanche,theBailiffofJersey,andJohnLeale,PresidentoftheControllingCommitteeinGuernsey,realisedthatliberationwasnotlikelytocomeforsometime.Theyalsorealisedthat,asnofoodsuppliescouldnowcomeinfromFrance,graveshortagescouldbeexpectedinthemonthsahead.TherewaslittleinthenewstopromiseaswiftvictoryfortheAllies.ItwasnotuntilAugust25ththatthelastGermansinParissurrenderedtotheAmericansandtheFrenchResistanceledbytheFreeFrenchforceofGeneralLeclerc.AsthetanksoftheliberatorsrolledthroughthestreetstensofthousandsofParisians,inaneruptionofjoyandthanksgiving,swarmedroundthem,offeringwine,food,flowersandkisses.OnSeptember4thBrusselsfelltotheBritishandCanadiansbuttheendofthewarwasstillninemonthsaway.

PeopleintheChannelIslandsreactedindifferentwaystotheperiodofwaiting–ananti-climaxafterthefirstemotionsofexcitementatthetimeoftheJunelandingsontheNormandybeaches.SchoolboyswhohadgrownupduringtheOccupationwerenowyoungmenintheirlateteens.TherewerefewerinGuernseythaninJerseybecauseverylargenumbersofGuernseychildrenhadbeenevacuatedtoEnglandbeforetheGermansarrived.Intheautumnof1944anumberofyoungJerseymen,boredwiththerestrictionsofdailylifeandfiredwithayouthfulbravado,madeattemptstoescapebyseatoFrancewiththeideaofjoiningtheBritishArmyandfightingtheGermans.

AmongthemanyyoungsterstakingachanceatescapinginsmallboatswastheyoungPeterCrill,onedaytobeBailiffofJersey,thenagednineteen,andtwoofhisfriends,RoyMourantandJohnFloyd.PeterCrillremembersthattheweatherwasroughwhentheydecidedtogo.

Thesummerof1944wasfairlystormy.TherewereproblemsonDDayandthestormscarriedonintermittentlythroughtheautumn.Wewerereadytogo.WehadtheoutboardmotorreadyandwehadthepetrolwhichwehadsiphonedfromGermanlorries.IsupposeyouwouldcallthatstealingtodaybutI’mafraidwelookedatitslightlydifferentlythen.We’dalsohoardedsomeprovisions.Itwasaquestionofwaitinguntilthetimewasright.Thenwegotatipoffthattherewasgoingtobeacoupledaysoffogandflat,calmweather.Sowewent.

ThefirstproblemwastogetawayfromthebeachwithouttheGermansspottingus.Weknewthattheyalwaysdidtheirpatrolsatregularhours,likeclockwork.Everynightateight-fifteentheywouldleavethebeachandgointothehutforsupperandtoplaycards.Theywouldremainshutinuntilaquarterpastten.Sowehadatleasttwohourstogetclear.

Therewasanotherboatleavingatthesametime–amuchlargerboatwhichalsohadanoutboardmotor.Wedidn’tusethemotorsatfirstinordernottomakeanoisebutrowedsomedistanceouttosea.Outboardmotorsinthosedayswereprettytemperamental.Iftheygotwettheywerethedeviltostartagain.Westartedoursanditwentallrightbutthemotorintheotherboatdidn’tstartsowecamealongsidetothrowthematow-rope.Watercameintoourmotorbecausethetwoboatsweresidebysideandweshippedwaterwhenmanoeuvringthem.Soourmotorstopped.Whereupon,withoutanotherword,theyhoistedtheirsailanddisappeared.

Alittlefurtheronwehadtwomishaps.Webrokethecompassandthenwethoughtwe’danchorbecauseitblewupabit.Butwecouldn’tusetheanchorbecausetheropewastangled.Thatprobablysavedus,inasense.Ifwehadanchoredwe’dprobablyhavebeencaught.Sowedecidedtocarryon.WehoistedoursailandIsteeredbythewind.Ifthewindhadchangedwe’dhavegoneroundinacircle.Butfortunatelyitremainednorth-westand,bykeepingthewindinmyleftear,wewentmoreorlessstraighttowardsFrance.

Attheplacewherewecameashoretherewasn’tanyoneinsight.Sowedraggedtheboatupandwentontofindalocalbistro.Inside,oneofthemensaid–whichwaydidyoucome?Wepointedtowherewehadlefttracksinthesand.

whichwaydidyoucome?Wepointedtowherewehadlefttracksinthesand.Andtheysaid–you’reveryluckybecausejustthatpartofthebeachhasn’tyetbeenclearedofmines.

Atotaloffifty-nineescapeesleftvariousJerseybeachestoattemptthecrossingtoFrance.Sixweredrownedontheway.SixhadtoturnbackandwereshotorimprisonedbytheGermansandforty-sevenarrivedsafelyontheFrenchcoast.Inaddition,therehadbeenanattemptbyDennisVibertofJerseyduringthefirstsixmonthsoftheOccupation.Hetriedasecondtime,rowingmostofthewaytowardsEnglandbecausehisoutboardmotorhadceasedtofunctionandfinallycomingtowithinafewmilesofPortlandwhereaRoyalNavydestroyerpickedhimup.BroughtashorebytheNavy,hevolunteeredatoncefortheRAF.

ThosewhosetoutforFrancefromtheJerseybeachofFauvichadthehelpoftheBertrams–twofamilieswholivednearbyanddideverythingfromconcealingboatstosupplyinghotdrinksforfortifyingtheyoungstersatthestartoftheirvoyages.BillBertramwasawardedtheBritishEmpireMedalafterthewar.OtherteenagerswhodidnotsailforFranceexpressedtheirardentandrestlessfeelingsindifferentways.JoeMière,formerlythecuratoroftheGermanMilitaryUndergroundHospitalinJersey,wassixteenin1944.Hejoinedothersofhisageinscrawlingswastikasonthehousesofpeoplesuspectedofcollaboration.TheyalsowroteV-signsonwalls.TheGermansecretpoliceconsideredtheseactstobeinsultingtotheFührerandtheyarrestedtheboys,includingJoeMière.

Theytookmedowntotheirheadquartersandtheyleftmeinacellforaboutanhour.Ithoughtatfirst–thiscan’tbetoobad.They’dbeenpoliteenough–verycorrectintheirmanner.AllofasuddenIwasinvitedintothisinterrogationroom.Theysaid-wouldyoumindcoming?Assoonasyougotinthedooryouhadafistinthefaceandanotherinthestomach.Beforeyouknowwhereyouare,you’reonthefloorspittingblood.Theytakeyoubacktothemainprisonintheearlyhoursofthemorning.Thennextdaytheydon’twantyoubutthedayaftertheycomeandgetyouatabouttwoo’clockinthemorning.

Yougobycarandtheyputyouinacellwithastrawmattress.Youthinkifyoukeepstillanddon’tmakeanynoisethey’llforgetaboutyou.Allofasuddenyou’reinvitedintotheinterrogationroomandthetreatmentstartsalloveragain.–politeness,offeredacigarette,offeredacupofacornersatzcoffeeandbeforeyouknowwhereyouareyou’reontheflooragainandthere’ssomebodykickingyou.

So,eventually,theycouldn’tgetanytruthoutofusafterweeksandweeksofthissowe’remarchedthroughtheParadegardens,upalongRougeBouillontothecourtmartial.Itwasabitofacomedy.TherewasaGermancolonelwithamonoclewhowaspresidentofthecourt.AndbehindhimwasapictureofHitler.Theygiveyouonlyalance-corporaltodefendyou.Whenthat’sovertheymarchyoubacktotheprison,withacoupleofGermansbehindyouwithTommygunsincaseyoumakeaboltforit.Youlookbackonthingslikethatandyousay–that’slife.C’estlavie.Iputitdowntoexperience.

RichardWilliamsalsorecallshistimeinprisonandthegroup’sheroicescapeattempt

ThereweremanyprisonersinboththeGermanprisonsectionandthecivilianprisonsection.Onceprisonersweretried,theylefttheGermansectionandwenttotheciviliansection.WeweretheonlycivilianprisonersintheGermanwingfromwhichwemadeasuccessfulescapeinFebruary1945.Ipretendedtobeillandtheotherscalledtheguardwhowemanhandledandlockedinacellwhichhadadeadlock.Hehadleftthemaindooropensowemanagedtorunoutintothecourtyard.Irememberitseemedlikethewholeblockwasshoutingouttous.Agrapnelandblanketropedidnotworktoscalethewallsothethreeofus,becauseofapproachingguardswithgunswhohadfired3or4shots,wereforcedtoclimbaventpipecoveredwithbarbedwire.Doncuthishandsverybadlybuttheadrenalinewasjustrunning.Wethenranacrosstheroofandhadtolowerourselvestomakeadropof30feettotheroad.IbrokemyankleonthefallandwasarrestedthreehourslaterbutBellandLePennecescapedandwereneverrecaptured.IrememberJoeMierelookedaftermeonmyrecaptureashewasdetailedtodosobytheGermans.

ByNovemberfoodstocksandothersuppliesintheIslandswerealmostexhausted.Estimatesshowedthat,withinamonthorsixweeks,thecivilpopulationswouldfacestarvation.TheGermangarrisons,too,wereonshortrations.ThetotalisolationoftheareanowthattheAlliescontrolledtheFrenchcoasthadimplicationswellunderstoodbytheBailiffsofJerseyandGuernsey.AttheendofAugust,onlythreemonthsafterD-Day,AlexanderCoutancheofJerseyhadalreadydemandedfromhisagriculturalofficerastatementofthefoodstockposition.TheBailiffofGuernsey,VictorCarey,hadalsoorderedastatementfromRaymondFallaoftheControllingCommittee.Finally,bothBailiffsproducedtheirseparatememoranda,dulysignedandaddressedtotheInternationalRedCrossinSwitzerland.TheGermansagreedtoforwardthem.ItwasintheirintereststoevaderesponsibilityforfeedingtheIslandpopulations.

wasintheirintereststoevaderesponsibilityforfeedingtheIslandpopulations.

TheJerseyBailiff,AlexanderCoutanche,hadgivenasecondcopyofhismemorandumtooneoftheyoungmenescapingtoFrance,NormanRumball,whowasgoingtosendittotheHomeOfficeinLondon.FromGuernseythelistoffoodstuffsandsupplieswenttoLondonbywayofFredNoyen,aretiredseacaptainwhohadbecomeaGuernseyfisherman.Hehadmadeaplanwithhisfriend,BillEnticott,toevadetheGermanmarineguardsandgetawaytoEngland.TheyeventuallymadethecrossingafterbeinginterceptedbyaUnitedStatespatrolinmid-Channel.

ImportantitemsintheGuernseyandJerseycommunicationsrevealedthepositionasfollows.

Allrationsdrasticallyreduced.Breadfinishes15thDecember.Sugarfinishes6thJanuary.ButterfinishesendofDecember.Hospitalanaesthetics,ifusedsparingly,maylastuntilmid-January.Essentialdrugsnowexhausted.NogassinceSeptember.Electricitywillfinishendofyear.Footwearandtextilesalmostfinished.

ItwasthecoldestChristmasinlivingmemory.TheResidentMedicalOfficeratthehospitalremembersthatCasualtyDepartmentdealtwithnumerouscasesofchoppedfingerscausedbypeopletakingaxestofurnitureandfloorboardstogetwoodforwarmingtheirhouses.Elderlypeoplelivingonnear-starvationrationsdiedfromthecold.JennieSeymourofJerseylivedthroughthoseDecemberdaysof1944.

Onethingthatsticksinmymindwasbeingsohungry.Ithurtswhenyou’rereallyhungry.Mymotherhadgivenmeasmallpieceofswede–rawswede.Iremembereatingitand,atthesametime,feelingguiltybecauseIknewitwasthenextday’sfood.

IntheranksoftheGermanArmyintheIslandshundredsofmenwantedtogetoutofthewar.Lowrations,monotonyandasenseofdefeatspreaddisaffectioninthegarrisons.Amutinywasplanned,asyetonlyinsecrettalksbetweenthesoldiersandwhomevertheycoulddependonforhelpamongcivilians.NormanLeBrocqoftheJerseyCommunistsandhiscomrade,LesHuelin,hadreceivedavisitfromaGermansoldiersomemonthspreviouslyandgraduallythedetailsof

visitfromaGermansoldiersomemonthspreviouslyandgraduallythedetailsoftheconspiracydeveloped,asNormanLeBrocqrecalls.

Wewereabletoproduceleafletsforhimaswehadaduplicator,paperandstencilsavailable–andwewerepreparedtoduplicatehisleaflets–whichwasallhewantedatthatstage.Andsothatparticularpartofourworkstarted,withmebeingappointedasliaisonwiththesoldier-bynamePaulMullbach.Iusedtomeethimataplacewherewehadafriendwhichweknewtobesafe.ItwasabookshopintheParadeandIusedtorendezvouswithPaultherefromtimetotime.Hewouldgivemeamanuscripttextofaleaflethewanted.WewouldthengetitoutontheduplicatorinthenumberofcopiesrequiredandIwouldreturnthepackagetohiminthesameshop.

Preparationsforthemutinysloweddownintheautumnandthesoldier,PaulMullbach,hadbythistimedesertedandwasgivencivilianclothesandotherhelpbyNormanLeBrocqandtheCommunists.Aswintercameintheshortageoffoodandunusuallycoldweatherdelayedtheworkoforganisingrebelsinthegarrisons.

MoraleamongtheIslanderswasalsoatalowebb.Then,onthe27thDecember,aresponsefromSwitzerlandandLondonarrived,showingthatthevariousmessagesdescribingtheconditionofthesiegehadgotthrough.TheRedCrossship,S.S.Vega,loadedwith100,000foodparcelsfromCanadaandNewZealand,cameintoSt.PeterPortand,adaylater,intoSt.Helier.

DistributionofthefoodparcelsamongtheIslandersmetwithnooppositionfromtheGermans.HeadquartersinBerlinhadagreedofficiallythattheRedCrossfoodwasforIslandersonly.Itwasamatterofmilitaryhonourforlocalcommanderstocarryouttheagreedterms.YetrationsforGermansweredowntoabareminimum.ANewYear’smessagetothetroopsfromtheirCommander-in-Chief,vonSchmettow,saidthattheymustbereadyformoresacrificesin1945.Itwasimportant,hesaid,tomaintaincomradeship,self-discipline,faithinultimatevictoryandthewilltofighttothelast.

AfortnightlatervonSchmettowissuedanorderthattroopsshoulddonomorethanfivehoursdutyadayandmustrestinbedfortwohoursintheafternoon.InthiswaytheirfailingenergieswouldbeconservedforthedefenceoftheIslandsiftheenemyshouldcome.

AttheendofFebruaryafanaticalNazi,Vice-AdmiralFriedrichHüffmeier,tookovercommandoftheIslands.Heatonceorderedmeasurestostiffenthewillto

overcommandoftheIslands.Heatonceorderedmeasurestostiffenthewilltosurviveamongthetroops.AdailyguardofhonourwouldbemountedoutsideStaffHeadquarters.HeissuedaspecialmessageforHeroesDay.WhentroopspassedofficersinthestreetstheNazisalutehadtobegivenwithmaximumsmartness.Therehadtobenomorefraternisationwithlocalwomen.Stealingfoodwouldbepunishedbyhavingtheculprit’srationcut.Inrepeatedcasesthedeathpenaltywouldapply.

DespiteHüffmeier’sthreatsofpunishment,stealingfoodwenton.Sheerprimitivehungerdrovesomesoldierstomakeraidsondomesticpets.Catsanddogsdisappearedfromhousesbecausetheycouldbecookedintosomesortofmeatdish.BrianRead,nowlivinginHenley-on-Thames,wasthenayoungsterinJerseyandremembersthelastwinteroftheOccupation.

TheGermanscouldgetverylittlefoodforthemselves.Therewererumoursthattheywerestealingcatsanddogstoeat.Untilthe31stofMarchIdidn’tbelieveitbutonthatSaturdayeveningIwasaloneathomereadingabookwhenIheardaneighbourshouting–“they’vetakenyourcat”.Iwasseventeenatthetimeandbothmyparentswereout.ButIdashedoutsideandwasintimetoseetwoGermanmarinesleggingittowardsthebeach.BythetimeIreachedthemitwastoolate.TheyhadcuttheheadfromamuchlovedPersiancatandtheywereholdingitupbyitsbacklegswithbloodpouringontothesand.

GermansoldiersweregoingroundthestreetsofSt.HelierandSt.PeterPortgreyinthefacefromdespairandhunger.Theyweresothinthatuniformshungonthemlikescarecrows.LeslieSinelofJerseysaid:“WhentheyfirstcameheretheywerethecreamoftheGermanArmy,proudandvital.Attheendtheywereoldmenpokingaboutindustbinsforscrapsoffood.”ButVice-AdmiralHüffmeierwasresolvedtodefendtheIslandsfortheFührer,costwhatitmay.AtameetinginaSt.Heliercinemahetoldthetroops:“Ishallholdoutwithyouhereuntilfinalvictory.”

Thesoldierswerenotinterestedinvictory.Theywantedthewartoendandplansforthemutinywerealmostready.Leafletscirculatedamongthenon-commissionedranks,theleafletscomposedbyPaulMullbach’scircleofconspiratorsandprintedontheduplicatorofNormanLeBrocq’sfriends.Hüffmeierknewthathewasindangerofbeingassassinated.Hemovedfromplacetoplaceaslittleaspossibleandthenonlywithabodyguardtoshieldhim,notbecausehewasafraidforhisownskinbutbecauseheknewthathewastheonlycommandercapableofholdingtheIslandsinthesedaysofcrisis.AsvonSchmettowhadsaidafewmonthsearlier,“TheGermansdonotbuildmighty

Schmettowhadsaidafewmonthsearlier,“TheGermansdonotbuildmightyfortificationswithoutholdingthemtothebitterend.”

InMarchandAprilof1945newscamethroughonhiddenradiosdescribingtheadvanceoftheAlliesonthewesternfront.BritishandCanadianforceswereacrosstheRhineandfanningoutovertheplainsofNorthGermany.APolishdivisionwasattheEmsestuary.TothesouththeAmericansdrovetheirtanksintoWiesbaden,FrankfurtandMannheimwhiletheFreeFrenchoccupiedBaden-Baden.OntheothersideofGermany,totheeast,theRussianshurledtheirarmouragainstthecrumblingdefencesofBerlin.ItwasalloverfortheNazisandHitlercommittedsuicideinhisundergroundbunkerwhileshellsfromRussiangunsexplodedoutside.

IntheChannelIslandsthelastdaysoftheOccupationbroughtthecertaintyofliberationevernearer.ShopswerealreadysellingUnionJacksonMay1st.OnMay2ndaportraitofWinstonChurchillfetched400Reichmarksatanauction.OnMay3rdayoungGermanshothimselfinalavatoryintheJerseyHospital.ThenextdaythebankswerebesiegedbypeopletryingtogetridofGermanmoney.OnMay6thmeninthesecretpolice,fearingmobviolence,putonarmyuniformsandmingledwiththetroops.Thenewson7thMaywasthatthewarinEuropewouldendwithintwenty-fourhours.OnMay8thwirelesssetsweretunedintoLondonforWinstonChurchill’sspeechannouncingtheendofthewar.InSt.HelierloudspeakerscarriedthebroadcasttoavastcrowdintheRoyalSquare.

ItwasasolemnmomentwhenthevoiceofthePrimeMinistercameontheradio.Hesaid:“Hostilitieswillendofficiallyatoneminutepastmidnight,tonight,Tuesday,the8thMaybutintheinterestsofsavinglivesthecease-firebeganyesterday,tobesoundedallalongthefronts-andourdearChannelIslandsarealsotobefreedtoday.”

TheBailiff,AlexanderCoutanche,stoodonthebalconyoftheRoyalCourtinJerseyand,facingthecrowdinthesquare,ledthesingingof“GodSaveTheKing.”InGuernsey,too,scenesofgreatemotionfollowedthebroadcastandthatnightavictorybonfiresentflamesintotheskyabovethecliffsofSark.

Chapter9LiberationandAftermath

T

hesurrenderofGermanforcesintheChannelIslandswasnotsostraightforwardasitmighthavebeeniftheCommanderhadbeenanyoneelsebutVice-AdmiralHüffmeier.Hewasnotamantoacceptdefeat.Fourdaysbeforethehistoriccease-fireSouthernCommandoftheBritishArmysentaradiomessagetoHüffmeiersuggestingthatheshouldmakeclearwhetherheintendedofferingresistancetotheliberatingforce,bearinginmindthattheendofthewarwasnear.Noreplycamethroughuntilthreedayslater.Itwasterseandtothepoint.“Ionlytakeordersfrommygovernment.”

OnMay7ththeGermansinEuropecapitulatedtotheAlliesandtheNaziAdmiralDönitzwhohadinheritedHitler’sauthoritysentaradiosignaltoHüffmeier,orderinghimtosurrender.Anorderfromasuperiorofficer,particularlytheSupremeCommander,wasnotacommunicationtobeignored.YetHüffmeierwasdisinclinedtoobey.HehadalwayssaidthathewouldholdoutintheIslandswhateverhappenedontheotherfronts.HebelievedthathistroopscouldbekeptaliveformonthssolelyonJerseyandGuernseymilkwhenotherfoodstockshadended.MoreoverhewasincommandofthemoststronglyfortifiedpositionsinwesternEurope.

ItwasinaspiritofcompromisethatheradioedBritishArmySouthernCommandfixingarendezvousnearLesHanoislighthouseoffthesouthwestcornerofGuernsey.Inanswertothemessage,BrigadierA.E.Snow,inchargeoftheliberationtroops,leftPlymouthinthedestroyerH.M.S.Bulldog,accompaniedbyH.M.S.Beagle.Arrivingattherendezvous,heexpectedtomeetVice-AdmiralHüffmeierinpersonbut,instead,arustyminesweepercameouttothelighthousebearingajuniorofficerwhosaidhewasauthorisedbyhischieftodiscusstermsforanarmistice–thatis,ashortcessationofhostilities.

BrigadierSnowatoncesettherecordstraight.Therecouldbenoarmistice.HüffmeieroraproperlyaccrediteddeputymustsignadocumentcertifyingtheunconditionalsurrenderoftheIslands.Buttheconfrontationwasnotyetfinished.Thejuniorofficerrepliedthat,ifthearmisticediscussionwasnotacceptable,H.M.S.BulldogwithBrigadierSnowhadbetterdepartfrom

Guernseywatersotherwisetheycouldbefiredonfromtheshore.

TothisdeliberatemisunderstandingofthesituationBrigadierSnowrespondedwithadmirableBritishaplomb.HetoldtheyoungGermanofficertogobacktohismasterandtellhimthatifhepersistedinthisattitudehewouldcertainlybehangedaftertheIslandshadfinallybeenbroughtunderanormaladministration.TenhourslateranotheremissaryfromHüffmeierappeared,Major-GeneralHeine,theIslandcommanderofGuernsey.HüffmeierhadevidentlythoughtoverhispredicamentandrealisedthateitherhewouldhavetoobeytheorderfromtheGermanHighCommandor,ifhecontinuedtoholdoutintheIslands,woulddosoincompleteisolation.

ItwasmidnightwhenMajor-GeneralHeinecameaboardtodiscussdetailsofthehandover.At7.14am.thefollowingmorninghesignedsixcopiesofthesurrenderpapers.SixmoreweresignedbythelocalcommanderinJerseyandtheOccupationwasofficiallyatanend.

AnadvancepartyoftwohundredBritishtroopscameashoreinSt.PeterPortandreceivedarapturouswelcome.Anothertwohundred,arrivinginSt.Helier,werealsogreetedwithcheers,flagwavinganddemonstrationsofjoy.UnionJacksflewfrommastsandflagpolesandhungoverbalconiesandwindowsills.ToaddtotheatmosphereoffestivaltheRAFputonanairdisplayandsentMosquitosandMustangsroaringovertheIslands.AsforSark,thecommanderofthefirstcontingentoftroopscouldnotspareanymentotaketheIslandover.Instead,hedelegatedhisauthoritytoLaDame,SybilHathaway,whorelishedonceagainbeinginchargeofherdomain.SheimmediatelyputherGermanstoworkclearingmines.

AftertheLiberationscenesandthechurchservicesofthanksgivingalongrepressedexplosionoffuryeruptedagainstwomenwhohadbeentoofriendlywiththeGermans.Manyweregirls,agedabouttwenty.TheyhaddonenomorethanfollowtheirnormalinstinctswiththeonlyyoungmenavailablebutcrowdsintheSt.Helierstreetsgavethemaroughtreatment,includingheadshaving.Agroupofselfappointedavengerstriedtothrowoneofthegirlsintotheharbourbutsomemennearbystoppedthematthelastmoment.

ThenotoriousGingerLou,thesupercourtesaninFrenchshoes,wasaspecialcase.Shehaddonewellforherselfinclothes,luxuriesandfood.Somesaidshehadgivenawaythenamesofpeoplewhohadradiosetsintheirhomes.WhentheGermansatlastlefttheIslandshewentintohidinginahouseinSt.Helier

theGermansatlastlefttheIslandshewentintohidinginahouseinSt.HelierbutafterafewdaysshemusthavebecomeboredwithhercaptivityandshecameoutforawalkandwasrecognisedinSeatonPlace.Innotimeatallahostilecrowdsurroundedher-mainlywomenwhosehatredhadbeensmoulderingthroughalltheyearsoftheOccupation.Theywereabouttolynchherfromalamp-postwhensomeBritishsoldierssawwhatwashappeningandcametotherescue.

Thefoodshortageprofiteersoftheblackmarketwereinanothercategorywhichqualifiedforrevengeiftheycouldbefoundandidentified.Therewerealsotheinformers,thoseanonymouspeoplewithgrievances,payingoffoldscoresbygivinginformationtotheGermanpoliceaboutanyoneinfringingregulations.Usuallytheinformersactedfrommerestupiditywithoutunderstandingtheconsequences.ThepersoninformingonLouisaGouldwhogavesheltertoanescapingRussianslave,probablyhadnoideaofthelongjourneyfromthecourtmartialtoprison,followedbytransportationtoGermanyandfinallytoeventualdeathinagaschamberatRavensbruckconcentrationcamp.Informersweredifficulttonamealthoughmanyweresuspected.Mostofthemremainunknowntothisday.

ReorganisinglifeintheIslandsaftertheliberationpresentedavarietyofproblems,notonlytotheStatesbuttoofficialsfromWhitehallwhoarrivedtoreportonwhatwasneededtoputtheIslandsontheirfeetagain.Tradehadtoberestoredandtheownershipofshopsandpropertyestablished.Germanmoneycollectedbythebankswasnowvalueless.TheBritishGovernmentredeemedtheReichmarkswithagiftofsevenmillionpounds.AlargescaleclearingoperationbeganontheminesleftbytheGermans,67,000inJerseyandjustunder50,000inGuernsey.

Sarklivedthroughthistimeinitsownspecialway.MemoriesoftheOccupationdidnothavethesamebittertastewhichcharacterisedeventsinthelargerIslandsbutSarkeeshadhadtheirtroubles.ThedeportationshadtakenawayMissDucketandMissPage,ownersoftheDixcartHotel,Mrs.Pittard,awidow,andRobertHathaway,thehusbandoftheDameofSark.ShortagesofclotheshadbesettheIslandersasinJerseyandGuernseybut,inasmallcommunity,Sarkeescouldmoreeasilymakeexchangesand,inageneralway,supporteachother.SybilHathawayturnedoneofherroomsattheSeigneurieintoaworkshopwherejacketsandothergarmentsweremadeoutofcurtainsandanyothermaterialsbroughtin.

TheeasytolerancebetweenSarkeesandGermansfavouredarelaxedatmospherewhichmadedailylifelessirksome,despitethewarandtheOccupation.ButtheCommandoraidsdidmuchtoupsetthiscosysituationwithout,asinGuernsey,achievingresultsofimmediatemilitaryuse.Oneunexpecteditemofinformationdidcometolight.TheCommandostookawayacopyoftheGuernseyEveningPresswhichhappenedtobetheissuecontainingthedeportationnoticeandwasthemeansofconveyingthisnewstoWhitehall.

AmongtheoccupyingforcesinSarkwasayoungmedicalorderlynamedWernerRang.HeformedaromanticfriendshipwithPhyllisBaker,thedaughterofaSarkfarmer.PhyllishadattendedtheGermanclassesattheSeigneurieandhadlearnedtospeakthelanguagequitewell.ShewasmuchindemandasaninterpreterwhenthelocalGermanArmydoctorhadtoexaminehisSarkpatientsforhewastheonlymedicalpractitionerintheIsland.

OnedayPhyllisBakerfellillherself,stayingforadayortwoinbed.WernerRanghappenedtobetheorderlywhobroughtthedoctor’spillstoherhousebut,asheknewnoEnglish,hewasunabletomakehimselfunderstoodbyMrs.Bakeratthedoor.Phylliscalledtohermotherfromabove,tellinghertosendtheyoungmanup.Itwasthebeginningofaseriousrelationship.AfterthewarwhenWernerRangfinallylefttheprisonerofwarcampinEnglandhemarriedPhyllisBakerandtheysettleddowninSarktoliveouttheirlivestogether.ThemainsentimentaleventinSybilHathaway’sIslandhadapositiveandwholesomeflavoursomewhatmorepleasingthantheunfortunateliaisonsinJerseyandGuernsey.

InAlderneyatthetimeoftheliberationnoneoftheoriginalresidentswerethereexceptFrankOsseltonandthePopes.TheIslandwasmainlypopulatedbytheGermanswhomaintaineditasadefencepositioncoveringthewaterstothewestoftheCherbourgpeninsular.ItwasalsothesiteoffourGermancamps-threeforworkersonthefortificationsandthefourthaconcentrationcampforpoliticalprisoners.Investigationsafterthewarrevealedthatthenumberofprisonersandworkerswas4000in1943,fallingto245ayearlaterwhenthefortificationswerecompleted.Mostoftheconcentrationcampprisonersdiedfromtheirprivations.Itissaidthatmanywereexecutedbeforethearrivaloftheliberationforce.

TheArmygarrison(asdistinctfromtheS.S.)musthavebeenquitelargeforsosmallanisland.2,332GermanprisonersofwarleftAlderneyforcampsinEnglandand500remainedbehindtoclearupthemines,thebarbedwireand

Englandand500remainedbehindtoclearupthemines,thebarbedwireandotherresiduesofmilitaryoccupation.InHitler’sdreamoftheislandfortressesAlderneywouldhavehadastrategicimportance,commandingasitdoesthesealanesoftheChannelandthewesternapproachesoftheAtlantic.

PeoplecomingbacktoAlderneyafterthewarandfindingthedamagedonetotheirhousesandbelongingsblamedJudgeFrenchforsuggestinganevacuationinthefirstplace,forgettingthathehadgiventhemthechoiceandreceivedtheirvotesofapproval.SeeingFrankOsseltonandthePopesinstalledontheirfarms,thereturningexilesfeltthattheyneednothavegoneaway.

ThehomecominginJerseyandGuernseywasalsomarredbyinevitabledifficultiesofadjustmenttothenewconditionsof1945.TherewerethosereturningwhohadbeeninEnglandforfiveyears,includingmanychildrenwithouttheirmothersfor,particularlyinGuernsey,someparentshadsenttheirchildrenawayforsafetyandnowthechildrencamebackasstrangers,grownupandspeakingintheunfamiliaraccentsofManchesterandGlasgow.Youngmenhadgoneawaytojointhearmyoroneoftheotherservicesandsomehadbeenkilledinaction.Othersreturnedwithwoundsanddisabilities.

Islanderswhostayedandtheotherswhowentawaycouldnotunderstandeachother.Theirpersonalexperiencesduringthefivelongyearshadbeenutterlydifferent.ThosewhohadstayedintheIslandsaccusedtheevacueesofrunningaway.ThepeoplecomingbackfromEnglandaccusedtheotherIslandersofhavingtoomuchcomfortathomeandbeingtoofriendlywiththeGermanswhileEnglandwasfightingthewar.

TherewerethosewhohadbeeninGermaninternmentcamps,amongthemAmbroseSherwillandFrankStroobantofGuernseyandmanyothers.Someofthemenandwomenfromtheprisonsandconcentrationcampscameback-thosewhohadsurvivedsuchasBillSymesoftheFountainpubinSt.PeterPortandStanleyGreenofJerseywhohadphotographedlistsoftheIslandfortificationspreparedbyaretiredarmyofficer,MajorCrawford-Morrison.TherollcallincludesCharlesMachon,FrankFallaandtheirhelpersinGuernsey,heroesoftheG.U.N.S.undergroundpress,twoofwhomnevercameback.Theydied,likeCanonCohuofJersey,frommalnutrition,thefreezingwintercoldandprisonbrutality.

AbriefmentionofnamesdoesinsufficientjusticetothemartyrsoftheOccupation.InthecaseofLouisaGould,hernameandherdeathinaconcentrationcampareinscribedonthewarmemorialofSt.OueninJersey.

concentrationcampareinscribedonthewarmemorialofSt.OueninJersey.HaroldLeDruillenecshouldbeonthelistofthosearrestedbytheGermans,latertoexperiencethehorrorsofthecamps.AtaskyettobeundertakeninGuernseyisthecompilationofacompleterollofhonour.AlistofnamesoftheJerseyresistanceexistsintheSt.HelierTownHall,withcopiesattheGermanUndergroundHospitalandinsidetheCenotaph

LivingatclosequarterswiththeGermanscreatedhumanrelationshipsthatwereattimesperplexing.TheGermansweretheenemyandyettheyoftenshowedanunexpectedfriendliness.CharlesDuretAubin,Jersey’sAttorneyGeneral,wasonfriendlytermswithhisoppositenumber,BaronvonAufsess,findinghimamusingandopeninhisopinions.ItwasvonAufsesswhosavedAmbroseSherwill’swifeandchildrenfromdeportationattheriskofhisownexecution.LouisGuillemette,secretarytothePresidentoftheGuernseyControllingCommittee,formedafriendshipwithaGermanofficialbecausetheywerebothorganistsandmusicmadeacommonbond.

AfterthewarGermanArmyofficersweremostlyunemployed,manyofthemlivingoncharity.ItwasnotuntilfiveyearslaterthattheFederalGovernmentofWestGermanywasabletoofferpensions.SomepeopleintheIslandssentgiftstomakelifeeasier.ArthurHarrisonoftheJerseyEveningPosthadbeenworkingthroughouttheOccupationwithaGermanofficerwhocensoredthepaper.Thismanafterthewarwasinreducedcircumstances.Hiswifewasillandexpectingababy.ArthurHarrisonsenthimafoodparcel.AmbroseSherwill,onavisittoGermany,cameuponMajorBandelow,theofficerwhohadbeenhelpfulinthecaseofSymesandNicolle.Hewasworkingasagroundsman.Sherwillsenthimmoney.

Anothergesturewhichemergedinthepost-liberationperiodwasacollectionofmoneyamongtheIslanders.Theyhadnotforgottenthefoodparcelswhichhadsavedthemfromstarvationinthelastwinterofthewarandtheycontributedatotalof£170,000totheInternationalRedCross.

TheGermanswhogavetheircountrymenabadreputationwerethoseintheS.S.–theShutzstaffel,Hitler’selitecorps.AonetimeresidentofSark,MajorBreen,hadbeenPressAttachéattheBritishEmbassyinBerlinbeforethewar.HemetHimmler,theHeadoftheS.S.,andaskedhimwhyGermanprisonsandconcentrationcampswerestaffedbysadistsandperverts.Himmlerrepliedthatitwasthebestwayofusingthem-tocrushopposition.IncontrasttheGermanArmyhadatraditionandacodeofhonour.ItdislikedthemethodsoftheS.S.

AmbroseSherwillwhohaddealtwithallsortsofGermans,firstasPresidentoftheGuernseyControllingCommitteeandthenintheinternmentcampatLaufen,saidthatonthewholehehadreceivedcourtesy,considerationandkindnessfromtheArmyandoneexampleofoutstandingchivalry.HisthreemonthsofsolitaryconfinementintheParisprisonwhichwasrunbytheS.S.didnotencouragesimilarthoughts.

ItisbecausetheChannelIslandsweresmall,self-containedcommunitiesthattheinhabitantshadtofindindividualwaysofadaptingtotheGermansintheirmidst.Inthosedaystheislandcommunities,includingtheGermans,representedonasmallscaletheproblemsandfrustrationsofthelargerterritoriesoutside.Astrangeassortmentofcharactersplayedoutthedrama.Humanqualitiescamesharplyintofocus.AmongtheGermansandamongtheIslanderstherewerethegoodandthebad.Theupheavalbroughtoutthecourageandstrengthsofsomeasmuchasthefrailtiesandgreedofothers,bothontheGermanandonthecivilianside.

Thiswasacrosssectionofhumanity,ofpeoplesurvivinginthecloseconfinesofacommunityatwar.ItisoverfiftyyearssincetheGermanscameandnowtheOccupationseemslikeanotherage,astrangeinterludeinthememoriesofthosestilllivinginthelittleworldoftheChannelIslands.

Impregnablefortress,theIslandsareringedwithdefences

Observationtower–Navalcoastalartillery.Eachstrongpointhaditsownindividualbattletask.

Anti-tanktrapsatL’Etacq,JerseyD-Dayprecautions,1944

GeographicalandTacticalData(Englishversion).InstructionsfromOKWBerlinonthemanningandoperationofStrong-PointHommetinGuernsey(Englishversion).Everystrong-pointintheIslandswouldhavehadsuchinstructions.Aboveandoverleaf:Strong-Point(large)FortHommet.Thefortificationandmanningofthestrong-pointenvisagedasawidearcofdefenceonthewestcoastofGuernseyinthebaysofVazon,CoboandAlbecq(Englishversion).

OverlookingSt.PeterPort

St.PeterPortHarbour.Armedcargovesselforcarryingsuppliesbetween

FranceandtheIslands

CheckingtheMirusBattery,Guernsey

CleaningbarrelofanSKL/45atNoirmontPoint,Jersey

InspectioninSark.AdmiralHüffmeier(centreR.)

TargetpracticeinAlderney

ActionStationsinSt.HelierHarbourTestingfirepower:Grouville

Testingfirepower:St.Ouen’sBay

Strongpoint–WaitingfortheBritishtocome

CamouflagedgunemplacementnearMontOrgueilCastle,Jersey

D–Dayalert

Petsasfood–

starvationperiod

RedCrossship‘Vega’deliveringfoodparcels

Goinghomewithstocksforthelarder

Liberationships,St.PeterPort

OnboardHMS“Bulldog”,Major-GeneralHeine,GuernseyCommander,presentshiscredentialsbefore

negotiatingsurrenderterms. FirstBritisharrive

PortraitoftheLiberators

ThePommed’OrHotel,St.Helier,GermanNavalHeadquarters

UnionJackreplacingSwastikaatthe

Pommed’Or LiberationDayscene

ListeningtotheChurchillvictoryspeech

throughloudspeakers GermanArmy,

NavyandAirForcepreparetoleaveGermansontheirwaytoprisoner-of-warcampsinEngland

Part2

TheBackgroundChapter10StormWarnings

H

istorianslookingbacktothenineteenthirtieswouldseetheindecisionsandfalsestepswhichledyearbyyearandinexorablytotheSecondWorldWar.PoliticalpartieswereurgingdifferentpoliciesinFranceandBritain,thetwocountrieswhichmighthavepreventedtheriseofNaziGermany.TherewerevoicesintheWestminsterparliamentcallingforacurbonGermanrearmamentbuttheiropponentsbelievedthatHitlershouldbeallowedsomelatitudeasitlookedasifhewouldprovideausefulbulwarkagainstthespreadofSovietCommunism.

InFrancetheSocialistsoftheFrontPopulaireurgedthenationtoresistHitleraseachcrisisbroughtnewthreatstointernationalstability.TheypreferredRussianCommunismtoGermanFascismwhereasinBritaintheSocialistLeftwasnotsostrong.OfficialsoftheFrenchQuaid’OrsayandthoseoftheForeignOfficeinLondonwereunabletofollowacommonlineindecisivemomentswhenthecourseofhistorycouldhavebeenchanged.

Thefirstopportunitycamein1934whenHitlersenthistroopsintotheRhineland,aneutralareaguaranteedbytreatyasacordonsanitairebetweenFranceandherlongstandingGermanicenemywhichhadtwiceinvadedFrenchterritorysincetheFranco-Prussianwarof1870.AttheendoftheGreatWarof1914thethreetriumphantallies–France,BritainandtheUnitedStates–hadGermanyonitsknees,defeated,ruinedandcompelledtoaccepttheconditionsoftheTreatyofVersailleswhichwould,itwasthought,preventtheGermannationfromeverarmingagaintodisturbthepeaceofEurope.

ItwasthistreatywhichHitlerfloutedwhenhisforceswentintotheRhinelandin1934.TheFrenchwouldhavestoppedhimatoncebymilitaryinterventionbuttheBritishhesitatedandallowedHitlertheadvantageofastrategicmoveonthechessboardofdiplomaticpolitics.SoonafterwardsGermanarmamentfactoriesintheRuhrwereturningoutgunsandtanksincontraventionofthissametreaty.ForthesecondtimeaconcertedeffortbyBritainandFrancecouldhavestopped

ForthesecondtimeaconcertedeffortbyBritainandFrancecouldhavestoppedthedrifttowardswar.

WinstonChurchill,thenabackbencher,warnedtheHouseofCommonsandtheGovernmentthataresurgenceofGermanmilitarismwasinthemaking.Butleadingmembersofthecabinet-Halifax,Simon,Baldwinand,later,Chamberlain–favouredappeasementoftheNaziregime,supportedbyGeoffreyDawson,editorofTheTimes,andothersinthesocalledClivedenset,stillhopingthatHitlerwouldstandinthewayoftheredtideofCommunism.

Otherinfluences,too,mayhavekepttheGovernmentonitsfatalcourse.TosanctionalargescalemanufactureofarmamentsinBritainfortheArmy,NavyandAirForcewouldhaverequiredincreasesintaxationwhichmighthavebeenquiteunnecessary,theGovernmentargued,inviewofHitler’sdeclarationthathehadnoclaimsonterritoriesinthewest.So,iffornootherreason,foreignpolicyseemstohavebeenbasedontwofactors–fearofSovietCommunismandaconvictionthatunpopulartaxationwouldlosetheGovernmentthenextelection.StanleyBaldwinhimself,inamomentoffrankness,saidso.

NoonecouldsaythattheChannelIslandStatestriedtoavoidsharingdefenceexpenseswiththeUnitedKingdom.JerseyandGuernseyjointlyvotedacontributionof£280,000,animpressivefigureatthetime.Apartfromthefinancialgesture,theyencouragedtheiryoungmenattheoutbreakofwartovolunteerfortheBritisharmedforcesandlaterintroducedalawforconscriptioninordertobringtherecruitingprocedureinlinewiththatoftheUnitedKingdom.

ButinWestminsternewlegislationwasneededbecauseofanhistoricalprovisointheChannelIslandconstitutions.AccordingtoRoyalChartersdatingfromthefourteenthcentury,ablebodiedmenwereexemptfrommilitaryserviceoutsidetheIslandsunlessrequiredinspecialcircumstancesfortheprotectionorrescueoftheKingofEngland.AftertheoutbreakofwarJerseyandGuernseydecidedtowaivethisancientconstitutionalright.

Adifficultynowcroppedup.ThetermsofenrolmentintheChannelIslandsdifferedfromthosesetoutontheUnitedKingdomentryformandtheHomeOfficerealisedthatanewlawinparliamentwouldbeneededtorectifythediscrepancy.AlongdelayensuedwhileWhitehallconsideredwaysofovercomingthedifficultywhich,infact,hadoriginatedintheWarOffice.DeliberationswentonforsolongthatthematterwassettledonlytwodaysbeforetheGermansarrivedintheIslands.Inthemeantime,youngmeninthe

beforetheGermansarrivedintheIslands.Inthemeantime,youngmeninthelocaldefenceforceshadvolunteeredandwerealreadystationedinEngland.

ThefirststirringsofarealisationonthepartoftheJerseyandGuernseyStatesthattheIslandsmightplayapartintheUnitedKingdomdefencearrangementsaroseinthemid-nineteenthirtieswhentheBritishCivilAirGuardschemecametotheattentionoftheBailiffs.Thiswasaway,theythought,ofpreparingmenforentryintotheRAFonavoluntarybasisandofassociatingtheIslandswiththemainstreamoftheBritishdefenceprogramme,asyet–itmustbesaid–notclearlydefinedeveninWhitehall.

Entryintotheschemeinvolvedpurchasinglightaircraftandsubsidisingflyingclubswhereprospectivepilotscouldbetrained.BothJerseyandGuernseywereeagertogoaheadwiththesearrangementsbuttheAirMinistrydidnotrespondenthusiastically.ItseemedreluctanttoaccepttheIslandsintoitsorganisationonthegrounds,theMinistrysaid,thatitwouldprovetooexpensiveforthem,bearinginmindtherelativelysmallnumbersofpotentialrecruits.DistancefromEnglandwasalsoadiscouragingfactor.

Thenineteenthirtiesdrewtoaclose.Evenafterthedeclarationofwarin1939theideathattheGermanswouldcometotheChannelIslandswasnotathoughtthatanyoneentertainedasaseriouspossibility.TheLieutenantGovernorofGuernseywentsofarastotelltheBailiffthathemightperhapsexpectsmallraidsfromtimetotimeandthatBoforsgunsorsomeotheranti-aircraftweaponmightbeneeded.Afewinfantryunitsmightalsobeusefulintheeventofsmallenemyraidingpartieslandingononeorotherofthebeaches.

Nevertheless,theauthoritiesdiscussedhowtoimprovetheirlocaldefenceforces,usuallyknownasthemilitia.This,theythought,wouldatleastshowthatpracticalmeasureshadbeentaken.ButwhentheGuernseyStatesattemptedtobuycoastaldefencegunsfromtheUnitedKingdomtheymetwithaforecastoflongdelaysbeforethegunscouldbesentbecauseoftheprioritygiventoWarOfficeneeds.ThevolumeofweaponsbeingproducedwasstilllessthanthemassivetotalofHitler’sarmaments.

Themonthswentpastandsuddenlythewarfrontsburstopeninthespringof1940,revealingtheChannelIslandstobedangerouslyexposedinthenewmilitarysituation.MessagesflashedbetweentheIslandsandtheHomeOfficeandbetweentheWarOfficeandtheAdmiraltybutagreatdealofconfusionarosefromhastilyimprovisedplansandafaultycoordinationbetweenoneministryandanother.TheHomeOfficebelievedthat,inthelastresort,theArmy

ministryandanother.TheHomeOfficebelievedthat,inthelastresort,theArmywouldprotecttheIslandersiftheGermanscamewithinshootingdistance.

AsadefencemeasuretheWarOfficeorderedthedispatchofabattalionofinfantrytoJerseyandanotherbattaliontoGuernsey.WinstonChurchill’swarcabinetagreedwiththisatfirstandthenreverseditsdecisiononreceivingthenextassessmentofthesituationfromtheChiefoftheImperialGeneralStaffwhichconcludedthat,astheGermanshadbynowcomeclosetotheNormandycoastwithavastlysuperiorforce,thetwobattalionswouldbelostifsenttotheIslandsand,inanycase,weremuchneededinEngland.

Meanwhile,menoftheMachineGunTrainingUnit,atthistimelocatedinAlderney,weretomovetoGuernseyandJerseytoreplaceNavalratingswhohadbeenguardingtheairports.TheAdmiraltythentoldthetwoLieutenantGovernorsthattheairportswerenolongerrequiredfortheFleetAirArmandcouldbeclosedandallflyingaidsonthegroundputoutofaction.AcopyofthiscommunicationdidnotreachtheAirMinistrywhichissuedacontraryinstructiontokeeptheairportsopenandguardedforusebytheRAF.

ItwasinthischangingsituationthattheJerseyandGuernseyBailiffswiththeirLieutenantGovernorswantedtoknowifandhowtheIslandscouldbedefended.ThroughoutthefirsttwoweeksofJune,1940,whentheGermansweresweepingallbeforethemtheWarOfficewasconsideringwhethertheChannelIslandsshouldbedemilitarized–thatis,whethertoorderthewithdrawalofallremainingMilitary,NavalandAirForcepersonnelandissueadeclarationtothateffectsothattheenemywouldceasetoregardtheIslandsasamilitarytarget.

Bymid-JunetheChiefsofStaffhaddecidedthatdemilitarizationwastheonlysensiblecoursebuttheycontinuedtodelaytheannouncement,merelysayingthatdemilitarizationwasapossibility.ThissilencecausedtheIslandauthoritiesagreatdealofanxiety.AlexanderCoutanche,theJerseybailiff,recountsinhismemoirshowtheprevailinguncertaintymadehimtakemattersintohisownhands.AidedbytheLieutenantGovernor,hepressedtheHomeOfficetogivehimpreciseinformationonwhatwasbeingplanned.

TheHomeOfficeinresponsesummonedhimtoLondonforaconferenceonthesubject.Hemadereadytodepart.AsmallaircraftbelongingtoChannelIslandAirwaysstoodbytoflyhimover.ClearancefortheflightfromRAFFighterCommanddidnotcomethroughuntilthenextdayand,inthemeantime,acrisishaderupted.CoutanchehadtostayinJerseytoorganiseyachtsandotherrescue

haderupted.CoutanchehadtostayinJerseytoorganiseyachtsandotherrescueboatsfortheevacuationofBritishtroopsstrandedinSt.Malo.InhisplaceJuratEdgarDoreyflewtoLondon.

Dorey’sdiscussionsattheHomeOfficeelicitedthenewsthatdemilitarizationwouldtakeplace.Itwasunfortunate,eventragic,thatthisinformationwasnotgiventotheGermansuntilitwastoolatetopreventanairattackontheIslandswhichkilledanumberofpeopleandinjuredothers.NextontheagendawasthequestionofevacuatingtheIslandpopulationstoEngland.Howmanypeoplewouldwanttogo?Shipscouldbeprovided,theHomeOfficesaid,ifafewdayscouldbeallowedfororganisingtheoperation.

OnhisreturnJuratDoreywentfirsttoGuernseytoreportandthenwentbacktoJersey.HetoldtheStatesthatEnglishresidentswouldprobablydecidetoleave,eitherintheevacuationshipsorbymakingtheirownarrangements.AsforJersey-bornpeopleofNormanorigin,hethoughttheyshouldstaybehindintheirnativeIsland.Hewasparticularlyharshonthemandsaid,inadramaticmomentinhisspeech,thatifanyofthosewhohadrootsinthesoilofJerseyweretoleavehewouldconsiderthemtoberatsandrabbits.

PlansfortheevacuationweresooninhandforthoseoutsideJuratDorey’scategoryofpeoplewhoshouldstay.InGuernsey,too,theauthoritiesmadepreparationsfortheembarkationsandawaitedthearrivaloftheships.EscapetomainlandBritainseemedtoofferadeliverancefromtheGermanswhompeoplethoughtofasanadvancinghordeofbarbarians.TheyhadheardoftheGestapoandtheconcentrationcamps.TelephonelinestotheUnitedKingdomwereoverloadedwithcallsfromresidentsandotherstryingtocontactfriendsandrelations.Panicranlikeacontagiousdiseaseamongthoseundecidedwhethertostayorgo.AtthelastmomentfortheembarkationspeopleinthecountryparishesofbothGuernseyandJerseymadesuchadesperateexitfromtheirhousesthattheyleftdoorsopen,thebedsunmadeand,inatleastonecase,withahalffinishedmealonthetable.

CoutancheinJerseyandSherwillinGuernseyendeavouredtokeeptheirpeoplecalmandtheydiscouragedthosewhowerenotintheprioritycategoriesfromleaving.OfthetwomenCoutanchewasthemoresuccessful,largelyasaresultofhismanypublicspeechesinwhichhesaidthatheandhiswifewouldremainintheIsland.ItwasamoredifficulttaskforSherwillinGuernseywhowasnot,inanycase,theBailiffwithalltheauthorityofthatoffice.

Amongthosegoingawayweresomewhoburiedtheirpersonalpossessionsand

Amongthosegoingawayweresomewhoburiedtheirpersonalpossessionsandvaluablesintheirgardens.Butsomehadpaperassetsdepositedinbanks.Whatwastobedonewithbondsandsecuritieslyingintinboxeslodgedinbankstrongrooms?Ifthedocumentsweretofallintothehandsoftheenemytheywouldbeasgoodaslost.TheGermanscouldselltheminmanymarketsinEuropeandAmericaasitwouldbeimpossibletopreventtransactionsontheinternationalexchange.

Adesperateraceagainsttimefollowed.ThebanksdecidedtosendalltheirrecordstoLondonbeforetheexpectedinvasion.Bankofficialsworkednightanddaytocompletethedocumentationandtopackbondandsharecertificatesintosacks.NearlyahundredofthesebundleswentoutoftheIslandsinthelastdaysbeforeairandseaconnectionswithEnglandweresevered.

TheHomeOfficehadalreadydiscussedthebankingsysteminJerseyandGuernseybecauseitrealisedthatdaytodaycommerceinanythinglikenormalconditionswouldneedsupportforlocalcurrencies.ThedecisionarrivedatwasthatbanksshouldremainopenintheIslands,maintainifpossibletheirlevelofbusinesswithwhateverstaffstheystillhadandthatBankofEnglandsupportwouldbeavailablewhenhostilitieswereover.ItwasthusimpliedthatliberationfromtheGermanswouldcomeintheend.

InthemeantimetheenemyhadstillnotheardofthedemilitarizationoftheIslands.ItafterwardsbecameknownthattheWarOfficehadnotwantedtheinformationreleasedbecauseitmighthaveencouragedtheenemytoinvadetheIslandsimmediately.TheHomeOffice,withanadmirableconcernforthesafetyofthecommunities,gaveanannouncementtothepressbutthis,too,waswithheldforthesamereason.

ItwasatthistimethattheKing’sletterwenttotheBailiffs.TheHomeOfficeaddedanotethatthecontentswhichincludedthedemilitarizationdecisionshouldbemadeknowntotheIslanders.ThismeantthatHomeOfficeofficialshopedthattheGermanswouldhearaboutitthroughtheirintelligenceservices.TheefforttopleasetheWarOfficeandtheBailiffswasalmostboundtobeuseless.AmisplacedcautionbyallconcernedledtotheairraidonJune28thandaneedlesslossoflife.ThreedayslatertheGermanslanded.

Chapter11TheSinewsofGovernment

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hearrivalofthefirstcontingentsoftheGermanArmyinthatsummerof1940createdtwodifferentsetsofproblems.Therewere,firstofall,problemsfortheIslandersinhavingtolivewiththenewcomersandalltheirnewdemands.AsecondsetofproblemsconfrontedtheGermans.AccountsoftheOccupationtendtoemphasisethepredicamentofthecivilianpopulationsandhowpeopleadaptedtotheirsubjectionunderaforeignarmy.Yettheinvadershadtoadaptaswell.Theywereinwhatwasforthemenemyterritoryandinthemidstofpeoplewhohadgoodreasonsforbeinghostile,thenewcomershavingtakenoverprivatehousesandhotelsforlivingquartersandofficesandthenimposedunwelcomerestrictionssuchasthecurfew.

ItwascleartotheGermanCommandthatwaysofco-existingwiththelocalpopulationsandofmeetingtheirbasicneedshadtobefoundiftheoccupationweretoproceedwithoutmultiplyingtheinevitabledifficulties.Thismeant,inthefirstmonthsatleast,treatingcivilianscarefullyandencouragingtheirco-operation.TheGermansturnedtheirattentionfirsttotheutilities–gas,waterandelectricity.Theyrealisedthattheseserviceswouldrunmoresmoothlyifthepersonnelwereleftinplace.ThusaworkingrelationshipwithafewgroupsofIslandersbegan.TheyalsoneededthehelpoftheIslandauthoritiesfortransmittingregulationstothepublicandformaintainingsomedegreeofcivicorganisation.SeniorofficialsinthetwobailiwickswererightindecidingtoaccedetoGermandemandsofthiskindsothatsomesemblanceofordinaryday-to-daylivingcouldcontinue.

TherelativelybenignruleoftheinvadersduringthefirstyeararosepartlyfromapropagandalinewhichclaimedthatastheIslandswereoriginallyFrenchtheGermansshouldbeconsideredasliberatorsofthepeoplefromthecolonialgraspoftheBritish.ThiswasHitler’soversimplifiedwayofformulatinggeo-politics.AnotherreasonwhytheGermanstookcareatfirsttoavoidatooblatantappearanceoftyrannywastopreparethemselvesfordealingwiththeEnglishinwhattheybelievedwastobetheirimminentconquestofBritain.

WhenColonelvonSchmettow(soontobeGeneral)wasappointedCommander-in-ChiefofmilitaryforcesintheChannelIslandshissuperiorofficersaidtohim:“RememberyouaregoingtoEnglishterritory,nottodefeatedFrance.”Withthatinmind,vonSchmettowinstructedhisofficerstotreattheIslanderswithrespectandconsideration.

TheofficiallinecomingfromthetopranksinBerlinrevealsacontradictioninGermanthinking.OntheonehanditsuggestedthattheChannelIslandswereapartofFranceandthat,ontheother,theinhabitantswereBritishandthattheinvasionoftheIslandswas,inasense,arehearsalfortheoccupationofBritain.Inaddition,somemembersofthetoppersonnelinJerseyandGuernseyhadaliberalpointofviewwhenitcametogoverningthelocalpopulations.ColonelvonSchmettowwasasoldieroftheoldschoolimbuedwithatraditionofmilitaryhonour.Anotheroftheseniorofficers,BaronvonAufsess,wasanaristocraticlandownerwhounderstoodhisresponsibilitiesandhisobligationstoeveryonewhodependedonhim.MajorLanzwasascholarwithinterestsintheartsandphilosophy.AsforGermansoldiersintherankstheyshowedthesamebasichumantendenciesassoldierseverywhere.Theycouldbeledintothesavageryofconflictbut,lefttothemselves,theyfacedlifewithacheerfulgoodhumour.

ExplanationssuchasthesedonotabsolveallthoseconcernedintheNaziprogrammeofexpansionoverEuropebuttheyhaverelevancetoanassessmentofrelationshipsduringtheOccupation.

Civilianleadersinthetwobailiwicks,AmbroseSherwillasHeadofAffairsinGuernsey(deputisingforanailingBailiff)andAlexanderCoutancheasBailiffofJerseybothsawthattheenemywaslikelytobeamenabletomanipulationifeachofthemcouldkeephisnerve.ItwasnothingshortofadisasterthatAmbroseSherwillwassosoontobeoverwhelmedbytheill-fatedexpeditionsofspiesandcommandosinGuernsey.AlexanderCoutancheinJerseydidnothavetomeeteventualitiesofthatsort.HewasabletopreserveformalrelationswiththeGermansandwasthusinapositiontochallengetheiredictsandregulationsfromtimetotime.When,afterthewar,apressintervieweraskedhimwhathehaddoneduringtheOccupation,hereplied:“Iprotested.”

Asalawyerbyprofession,Coutancheknewhowtomakeprotestsandtopresentalegalcase.Agameofbluffanddiplomacybegan.Itwasaquestionofwhichauthorities,GermanorChannelIsland,couldplaytherightcards.CoutancheandSherwill(inhistime)aimedatavoidinguselessclasheswiththeGermans.WhattheywantedfortheIslandswasameasureofjustice,enoughfoodtoensureareasonablelevelofgoodhealthforeverybodyandasmuchfreedomforthepeopleastheycouldgetunderthenewregimeuntiltheirfinalrestorationtoBritain.

TheGermanshadsomeoftheseconsiderationsinmind.They,too,wantedto

TheGermanshadsomeoftheseconsiderationsinmind.They,too,wantedtoavoidunnecessaryconflictswiththepeople.Thequestionofgoodhealthwaslikewiseimportant.IffoodshortagesweretoweakentheIslandpopulationsinfectiousdiseasesmightbreakoutandspreadamongtheGermantroops.Thustheaimsoftheoccupiedandtheoccupiersweretosomeextentthesame.Meanwhile,CoutancheandSherwillsoughtwaysofobtainingthebestadvantagefromthesituation.

SolongastheIslandauthoritiesmadetheirdemandsfirmlyandprotestedoverthoseorderswhichcouldreasonablyberevokedtheystoodsomechanceofachievingtheiraimsoverordinarymatterssuchasindiscriminaterationing.NodiplomaticrepresentationscouldhavepreventedHitler’sdeportationofEnglishbornresidentsinthecrisisof1942but,ingeneral,theIslandauthoritiesknewthattheGermanscouldnotdowithoutthemandthiswastheirstrongcard.

Iftheytriedtooverplaytheirhandstheysoonfoundthemselvesupagainstahardreality.By1941theOccupationhadenteredanewphase,lessbenignthantheearlymonths.TheGeheimeFeldpolizei(theArmysecretpolice)whichhadbeensupervisingsecurityamongthetroopswasnowwatchingcivilians,reinforcedbyGestapotypesinplainclothes.ThetopadministrationattheheadquartersoftheFeldkommandanturinParisorderedthatafirmhandmustbeshowntolocalgovernmentsintheIslands.Relationswiththeinhabitants,saidtheorder,mustnotbetoofriendly,otherwisethepopulationsmightbecomedifficulttomanage.

ManypeopleinthetwomainIslandsworkedfortheinvaderssimplybecausetheywerekeepingessentialservicesgoing.IftheyhadobjectedtheGermanswouldeitherhavecompelledthemtocontinueworkingatthepointofagunorwouldhavebroughtintheirowntechnicianstoruntheelectricityworks,thesewagesystemandothermunicipalutilities.

TheadministrationoftheIslandscameunderanorganisationcalledtheMilitaryGovernmentwhichhaditsregionalcentreinSt.LoanditsheadquartersonthebordersofParis.AstheChannelIslandswereconsideredtobeapartofFrancetheywereintheadministrationwhichcoveredotherpartsofNormandy.Instructionsonallmattersoffooddistribution,lawandorder,policeanditemsofGermanpolicycamethroughthelocalFeldkommandant.TheIslanderssoonrealisedthatbehindtheedictsoftheStateswasabranchoftheMilitaryGovernment.

InhisconquestofothernationsHitlerreliedontwostateministries,eachwithadifferentfunction.Firstofall,theWehrmacht(Army,NavyandAirForce)carriedoutdefenceandcombatoperations.In1940ithadreducedthearmedforcesofneighbouringcountriestothepointofsurrender.ItwaswhenthepeoplesoftheseterritorieshadbeenovercomethatHitleremployedapermanentteamofadministratorsincludingpolicetoorganisethelifeoftheinhabitantsandexploitthematerialresourcesofthearea.ThiswastheMilitaryGovernment,theFeldkommandantur.OnebranchofitarrivedintheChannelIslandsamonthaftertheinvasion.

TheStatesofGuernseyandJerseycontinuedtopasslawsonminormattersbuteventhesehadtobeconfirmedbyKommandanturheadquartersinFrance.InadditiontoregulationsemanatingfromtheMilitaryGovernment,theWehrmachtissuedordersrelatingtodefence.Withsomanynewrulesandinstructionsfromdifferentsourcesitwasnotsurprisingthatpeoplesometimesbroketheregulationsaccidentally,apartfromthosetheydeliberatelycontravened.

CompromiseshadtobemadewhenaclashofinterestsarosebetweentheStatesandtheFeldkommandantur.Thejurisdictionofthecourtswasonepointofdisagreement,aggravatedbythefactthat,apartfromthelocalcourt,therewerethevariouscourtsoftheoccupiers.ItwasimportantforIslanderstoestablishtheirrightsinthosecourtswhichoughttobetheirown.Forinstance,themilitaryauthoritieswereapttoclaimprosecutionpriorityifanyarmyvehiclewasinvolvedinaroadaccident.ThecivilianculpritmighthavetoappearinaGermancourtaswellasintheordinarymagistratescourt.

Whenitcametocrimesormisdemeanourswhichdidnoteasilyfitintooneorotheroftherecognisedcategoriestheoffendermighthavetobetriedinanyoneoffivedifferentcourts-themagistrate’scourt,theGermanArmycourt,theNavycourt,theAirForcecourtortheFeldkommandant’scourtifthecasehadarisenfromanarrestbytheGeheimeFeldpolizei,adepartmentwhichcameundertheMilitaryGovernment.

Offencesagainstfoodrationingwereafrequentsourceoftrouble.Beingoutinthestreetsorlanesatcurfewtimewasalsoanindictableoffence.TheFeldkommandant’scourtdealtwithanyoneattemptingtoescapefromtheIslandsbysea.Thisappliedparticularlytofishermen.AtfirsttheGermansfixedamaximumlimittofishingasamilefromtheshoreortwomileswithaguardintheboatoranescortvesseliftherewereseveralboats.Laterontheauthorities

becamenervousatthepossibilityofescapeestakingawayinformationaboutthefortificationsandtheybannedfishingaltogether.Itwaslaterrestoredbutunderincreasedsurveillance.

TheGermansalwayshadinmindtheirneedofcertainkeymembersofthecommunitiesforrunningtheIslands,includingthefarmers.Yettheyinterferedintheworkofproducingfood,especiallyinGuernsey.BeforetheOccupationtomatoesandflowershadbeentheprincipalexporttoEngland.Now,withthedisappearanceofthatmarket,horticulturehadtoundergoabasicchange.Greenhousesweretobeusedforfoodcrops.OfficialsoftheFeldkommandanturcametothegrowerstoexplainGermanmethodsofintensivecultivation.Thiswasnotthebestwayofdevelopinggoodrelationswithpeoplewhohadforhundredsofyearsbeenusingthelandtothebestadvantage.

AmajorproblemfacingboththeIslandersandtheGermanswashowtoproduceenoughfoodtomeettheirjointdemands.TheGermansatfirstthoughtthattheycouldimportsubstantialquantitiesofwheat,oats,flourandotheragriculturalproductsfromFranceinordertosupplementlocallygrownsuppliesbut,asitturnedout,theirmainlandorganisationcouldnotprovidetherequiredquantities.Finally,theyauthorisedtheIslandersthemselvestosetupabuyingorganisationinFrance.ThustheGermanscametodependevenmoreonthepeopletheyhadbroughtforciblyintotheirsystem.

TothisendtheStatesofJerseyandGuernseysetupwhatwascalledtheChannelIslandsPurchasingCommissionwithateamofexperiencedmen,includingJohnJouaultfromJerseyandRaymondFallafromGuernsey,amongothers.TheymadedealswithNormandyandBrittanyfarmersandarrangedthetransportofproducebacktotheIslands.TheoperationwaslargelydirectedbyGuernsey’sRaymondFalla,anagriculturist,businessmanandall-roundimprovisator.ThesewerethequalificationsneededforwheedlingandbargainingontheFrenchsideofthewater.

FuelwasanotherbasicmaterialinshortsupplynowthatcoalwasnolongercomingfromtheUnitedKingdomandsotheGermansissuednewregulationsrestrictinghouseholdlevelsofheating.ItwasessentialtoassuresufficientquantitiesofcoalforthegasworksandoilfortheelectricitycompanybutsuchwasthedemandforelectricityandgasfortheevergrowingGermanforcesintheIslandsthathouseholdersreceiveddiminishingamountsfromthesesourcesfortheirheatingandcooking.

Thewholefabricofday-to-daylivingpassedfromtheformerfreetradesystemtothecentralisedcontroloftheMilitaryGovernment.TheFeldkommandant’splaceintheneworganisationwasthatofadictator.Hisorderswerefinal.Herequisitionedcarsandbicyclestosatisfytheoccupier’sneedforadditionaltransport.Atthesametimehehadtheauthoritytograntpermissiontocertainessentialpeoplesuchasdoctorsorfarmerstoretaintheircarsorlorries.Itwasinevitablethat,withthemanyregulationsandoverlappingspheresofinfluence,bothoccupiersandoccupiedshouldfindnumerousreasonsfordispute.Yeteachhadtolearntolivewiththeotherbecause,astheGermanssaid,theywouldbeintheIslandsforaverylongtimetocome.

Chapter12FoodandHealth

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hepresenceintheIslandsofGermansoldiersandotherpersonnelinnumberswhichsteadilyincreasedastheOccupationproceededdemandedadditionaleffortstoassurefoodsuppliesoverandabovethosemadebyRaymondFallaandhisteaminFrance.Notonlyweretheremorepeopletofeedbutwheat,oats,dairyproductsandmeatwereavailableonlyinfluctuatingquantitiesaccordingtochangesinthewarsituation.Flourforbreadbakingwasabasicnecessity,astheGermansrealised.Theyrecruitedelderlyretiredmillerstoruntheoldmills–outofactionfordecadesbutnowbroughtbackfortheemergency.

MaintainingafairstandardofhealthinthepopulationswasamatterofconcernnotonlytolocalmedicalpractitionersbutalsotodoctorsintheGermanArmy.Theyobservedtheeffectoffoodrationingonthegeneralconditionofpeopletodetectanysignsofaseriousrundownofhealth.Somelocaldoctorssawanimprovementinpersonswhohadpreviouslybeenover-weight.InJerseyDr.JohnLewissaidthatsparserationsseemedtohaveproducedagoodeffectonsomeofhispatients.Theywerehealthierafterlosingexcessweight.Butpersistentlowrationscouldbeserious,especiallyincoldweather.

AftertheLiberationtheChiefMedicalOfficeroftheU.K.MinistryofHealth,onafactfindingmissiontotheIslands,notedthatchildren’steethwereexceptionallysound.HeattributedthistothelackofsugarandsweetsduringthefiveyearsoftheOccupation.Ontheotherhand,thechildren’sbodygrowthhadbeenretardedbythereduceddiet.Thoseuptofourteenyearsofageprovedtobeonaveragetwoandahalfincheslessinheightcomparedwithstandard

onaveragetwoandahalfincheslessinheightcomparedwithstandardmeasurements.

Elderlypeoplewerelessabletomaintainagoodconditiononthemeagrefoodsuppliesavailableandwerealsoaffectedbylackoffuelforheating.EveryonewentthroughaperiodofgreatprivationbeforetheRedCrossparcelsarrivedandinthebarrenweekswhentheextrafoodhadbeenexhausted.

AfairestimateofthesituationcamefromFrederickBrown,aretiredJerseycivilservant.Hethoughtthatmiddleagedpeople–thoseuptotheageoffiftyorsixty-seemedreasonablyhealthy.“WhatIremember,”hesaid,“wasbeinghungry.Sometimestherationswereprettylowandwehadtofindwaysofaddingsomething.MywifeandIusedtogooutoftownonourbicyclestovisitafarmerweknewof.Aftersomebargainingovertheprices,hewouldsellusperhapstwoeggsandhalfapintofmilk.Ofcourse,werantheriskofbeingarrestedifwewerestoppedonthewaybackorifsomeoneintheKommandant’sofficegottoknowaboutit.Thefarmerwouldhavebeenintrouble,too.Butalotofpeopleweredoingit.Itwasaregularthingatweekendsorwhenyouhadadayoff.Peopleinthetownwouldmaketheseexcursionstoseewhattheycouldgetfromtheirfriendsoranyoneelseinthecountrybecausethatwaswheretheseextraswere-onthefarms.”

Bicycleswereessentialontheseoccasionswhenafarmmightbefiveorsixmilesoutoftown.AseriousproblemaroseayearorsoafterthestartoftheOccupation.Bicycletyresdisappearedfromtheshopsandcouldonlybeobtainedbymakingapersonalswapwithsomeonewhohadoneandneededsomethingelseinexchange.Ifitwasnotpossibletogetatyreinthisway,peoplewoundroperoundtherimsofthewheelsbutthismadeabumpyandexhaustingride.

Theextraproduce,whetheritwasfromoneofthefarmsorfromtheration,stillhadtobecookedandtheelectricityandgassupplieswereontapatcertaintimesonly-onehourinthemorning,onehouratlunchtimeandonehourintheevening.Assubstitutesfornormalheatingtherewereburnablesubstancesofvariouskinds,includingsawdustinapainttin.Whenslightlydampitburnedforaconsiderabletime.Somepeopletookcasseroledishestotheirnearestbakerforsimmeringovernightintheovenalongsidehisloaves.

If,asitseems,goodhealthwasoftenacompensationforeatinganddrinkingless,itneverthelessrequiredasustainingminimum.TheIslanderslackedeventhiswhenthefirstshortagescameinthelatermonthsof1941.Saved-uptinned

thiswhenthefirstshortagescameinthelatermonthsof1941.Saved-uptinnedfoodhadrunoutandthesehoardedstoreshaduntilthensupplementedtherations.Peoplehadnotyetinventedsubstitutes.

FrankStroobantofGuernseywhoranthe‘HomeFromHome’caféfacingSt.PeterPortharbourdevisedvariousdishesandconcoctionsbeforehewascarriedofftoacampinGermanyatthetimeofthegreatdeportationsofSeptember,1942.Hisersatzfishcakesmadefrommincedlimpetsandparsnipsweremuchindemandaswerehisswederissoles.Raspberrieslatercameonthemenu,dousedwithasocalled‘cream’whichwasatfirstmadewithacombinationofice-creampowder,powderedmilkandsoyabeanflour.Thetasteofthe‘cream’improvedlaterwhenithadonlyoneingredient–powderedmilkinathickconsistency.

Afavouriteiteminthecafé,consideredadelicacyatthattimebytheclientele,wasaplateofchips.Chipswerehardtocomebyinthosedaysbecauseofthescarcityofcookingoil.WhenFrankStroobantranoutofithehadtofindasubstitute.Hisfirstexperimentusedalittleoliveoilfromthesmallstockhestillhadandthiswasmixedwithliquidparaffintomakeitgofurther.Theseingredients,too,becameunobtainableandhethentriedfryingwithlinseedoilbutthefumesweresounpleasantinthekitchenandevenpenetratedthecaféthatsomeabsorbentwasessential.Atfirstonionsservedquitewellandalsoimprovedtheflavour.Butashehadsoontoeconomiseontheonionshefloatedsmallpiecesofwoodintheoilassmellabsorbers.FrankStroobantwaswinninghisbattleoftheshortages.

StoriescomingoutofJerseyhadadifferentslant.TheyweremainlyaboutgettingroundtheregulationsanddeceivingtheGermans.DonaldLeGallais,thebakerofSt.Ouen,remembersthecaseoftwounregisteredpigsthatafarmerwashiding:

OnedaywhenIwasoutonmybreadround,”hesaid,“thefarmersaidtome–Don,quick,canyouhelpme?TheGermansarecheckingandthey’rejustuptheroad.SoIopenedmyvanandsaid–ifyouhurryupandgetsomebucketsandstrawtoputovertheirheadsthat’llstopthemmakinganoiseandI’lltakethemwithme.Wejustmanagedtogetoneofthepigsintothevanintime.IcamebackanhourlatertofindthattheotheronehadbeentakenbytheGermans.Thefarmersaid–nottoworry.Ishallkillthisoneandgiveyouanicepieceofpork.

DonaldLeGallais’wife,Ada,alsocarriedoutriskydeceptions,aswhenshewas

DonaldLeGallais’wife,Ada,alsocarriedoutriskydeceptions,aswhenshewashelpingaRussianfugitiveononeoccasion:

Ourhousewasclosetooneofthecamps,andweoftenusedtogetthoseprisonerscallinginandlookingforfood.Andofcourseitbecameoneofthefirsthousestogetsearched.OnedaytherewasayoungprisonerwithmeinthewashhouseandIwasjustgoingtogivehimsomethingtoeatwhenaneighbourcalledoutthattherewereGermanslookingroundquiteclose.QuicklyImanagedtogettheyoungmanintomycopperwhereIusuallyhadlaundryboilingaway.FortunatelyitwasemptyandIputthecoveroverhim.AstheGermansapproachedthehouseIlitthefaggotsunderneathandpretendedtobebusywithmywashing.Theywalkedinandsawwhattheythoughtwasmedoingthelaundryandwalkedoutagain.Iftheyhadhungaroundthingswouldhavegotabitwarmforthemaninsidethecopper.

Foodsuppliesinreasonablybalancedvarietiesandfuelforhomeheatingwerebasicforthegenerallevelofhealth.Tothesecausesmustbeaddedtheweather.PeriodsofstormsfollowedbyexceptionallycoldconditionstestedtheIslanders’resilienceinthelastwinterandweretoomuchforsome.InNovember,1944,highwindssweptinfromthesea.InDecembertheofficeoftheFeldkommandantissuedawarningthatelectricitysupplieswerelikelytocease(whichtheydidtwoweekslater).Asanalternativecouldthepopulationsdependontimberforheating?

TheJerseyDepartmentofLabourspecifiedtheamountofwoodneededforfuel.Twothousandtonsoflogsorfaggotswouldgiveeachhouseholderenoughheatingforamonth.TheJerseyGeneralHospitalwouldrequireahundredtonsforamonth.Anotherhundredtonswasonthelistforcookingandheatinginspecialinvalidcases.

InthisfreezingwinterattheendoftheOccupationpeoplewenttobedwhenitwasdarkandstayedundertheirblanketsuntildaylight.TheLeslieSineldiaryrecordsthedisappearanceofallfuelattheendofJanuary,1945,aftersixweeksofintensecoldandfallsofsnow.Asthedayslengthened,Februarybroughtinmilderweather.ThentheMarchperiodofchillywindsatlastgavewaytoaburstofspringsunshineinthefirstweekofAprilwithtemperaturesupto74degrees.

Butwinterdoesnotwillinglyloosenitsgripand,onthe30thApril,itreturnedtomorecoldandsnowasifitwantedtomatchthelastditchstandoftheGermanCommander-in-Chief,Vice-AdmiralHüffmeier.BothHüffmeierandthewinter

Commander-in-Chief,Vice-AdmiralHüffmeier.BothHüffmeierandthewinterhad,intheend,togoandtheIslanderswerethenontheirwaytoregainingtheirnormalvitalityandaveragestandardofhealth.

Chapter13BargainingandCompromise

I

ntheearlydaysoftheOccupationGermansoldierswalkedaroundthestreetsofSt.HelierandSt.PeterPortasiftheyweretourists.Tosomelocalpeopletheylookedliketheannualsummervisitorswhohappenedtobedressedupinmilitarykit.Islanderswhohadface-to-facedealingswiththeGermansintheordinarycourseofbusiness,suchastheJerseyandGuernseyharbourmasters,wereinclinedtoviewthemasclientswithahabitofmakingaggressivedemands-asifthecustomerisalwaysright.

Astimewentbyattitudeschanged.ThiswasquitesooninGuernseywherelandingsbyBritishspiesandcommandosupsettheprecariousbalanceofOccupationarrangementsbetweentheGermanandtheIslandauthorities.Sixmonthspassed.Thenayear.Bythistimetheuniformedtouristshadceasedtolookliketemporaryvisitorsandhadbecomewhattheyreallywere-mastersofthisisolatedcornerofwhatwasnowtheGermanReich.

AndyetthefeelingofbeingholidayvisitorspersistedinvaryingdegreesamongofficersandmenoftheGermanforces.ManyyearslatersomeofthemrecalledtheirtimeintheOccupationforaprogrammemadebyChannelTelevision.TheirenthusiasmforthebeautyoftheIslandswasquiteevidentandalsotheirsurprisingconfidenceinthefriendlyattitudeoftheinhabitants.Perhapsthepassingyearshadcloudedtheirmemoriesoritmayhavebeenthattheydidnotseewhattheydidnotwishtosee.

ItmustbesaidthatthemenoftheWehrmachthadlittlecontactwiththeseamysideoftheOccupation.ItwasnottheArmybuttheKommandanturwhichdealtwithcivilianswhoinfringedtheregulations.ConsequentlyimprisonmentanddeportationforcrimessuchasthepossessionofradiosetsdidnotcometothenoticeofthosemembersoftheArmyorNavywhofoundlifeintheIslandssoenjoyableandwelcoming.

AfewpeopledidmakefriendlyoverturestotheGermansatfirst.ItisonrecordthatagrowerinGuernseysentbunchesofflowerstotheIslandmilitary

thatagrowerinGuernseysentbunchesofflowerstotheIslandmilitarycommanderforthedecorationofGovernmentHouse,hisheadquarters.Anothersentgrapes.ThesetwoentrepreneursevidentlyhadfuturecustominmindandperhapscountedonalenientattitudefromtheGermanauthoritiesiftroublesaroseoverthemanynewregulations.Whatevertheexplanationnoonecouldregardthesegesturesasanythingbutaclearwillingnesstocollaboratewiththeenemy.

RumoursofcollaborationdidforsomeyearscastaluridlightontheactivitiesoftheBailiffofJerseyandtheHeadoftheGuernseyControllingCommittee,AmbroseSherwill,andbothmensufferedfromthis.Therewerepeoplewhodidnotseethat,intheabsenceoftheBritishArmy,theIslandauthoritieshadtobargainwiththeGermanadministrationforconcessions.

Withthisconsiderationinmind,CoutancheandSherwillissuedinstructionsthatthereshouldbenoresistancetotheGermanoccupiers.Everyoneshouldkeepcalmandcomplywithwhateverrulesthenewcomersimposed.Thiswasanessentialtactic,bereftastheIslanderswereofmilitaryprotection.

ItseemshighlyimprobablefromallthatisknownoftheOccupationthattheleadingmenofthetwobailiwickswerecollaboratorsinthesensethattheywishedtoassisttheGermansinestablishingapermanentNaziadministrationintheChannelIslands.

ThefirstsuggestionofcollaborationcameasaresultofaradiobroadcastbyGuernsey’sPresidentoftheControllingCommittee,AmbroseSherwill.TheGermanshadofferedhimfacilitiesformakingarecordingwhichwastobesenttoLondonintheexpectationthattheBBCwouldtransmititontheHomeServiceforlistenersintheUnitedKingdom.AmbroseSherwill’sintentionwastoreachthoseGuernseypeoplewhohadgoneawayintheevacuationshipsandreassurethemthatallwaswellwiththeirrelativesandfriendswhohadstayedbehind.

InthecourseofthisradiospeechSherwillreferredtotheGermanoccupiersasreasonablepeoplewhohadtreatedtheIslanderswithcourtesyandrespect-whichatthattimewastrue.HemadeapointofsayingthathewasnotspeakingfromascriptwrittenbytheGermansnordidhehaveagunpointingathim.

ThesecomfortingwordsdidnotreachtheevacueesthroughtheBBCwhich,afterconsultingtheMinistryofInformation,hadeveryreasonforwithholding

afterconsultingtheMinistryofInformation,hadeveryreasonforwithholdingtherecording.SofteningupinfluenceswerenotwelcomewhenBritainwaspreparingforaGermaninvasionandfacinguptoairattackswhichweresoontoescalateintotheblitz.WinstonChurchillwasmakinghisstirringspeechesovertheradioandsayingthattheBritishwouldfightinthestreets,onthebeachesandinthehillsandwouldneversurrender.ItisnotsurprisingthattheBBCbannedthebroadcast.Sherwill’sreferencestothegraciousbehaviouroftheGermansseemedalittleoutofkeywiththeprevailingmood.

ButitwasjustwhattheGermansneededfortheirEnglishtransmission,backedbyacommentarywhichcontradictedstoriesofGermanatrocitiesfabricated,theysaid,byChurchill’sgovernment.ThatthecontraryviewcamefromaleadingpersonageintheChannelIslandswasabonusfortheNazisbutAmbroseSherwill’sreputationwasinshreds.ItwasonlylaterthathisnamewasfinallyrestoredafterhehadpreventedtheexecutionofNicolleandSymes,twooftheBritishofficerswhohadlandedinGuernseyasspies.HisarrestandimprisonmentinParisshowedonwhichsidehisloyaltieslay.

GossipaboutthesupposedcollaborationoftheJerseyandGuernseyauthoritiesarosefromsuspicionsthattheywerehavingsecrettalkswithleadingGermanofficials.ItwastruethattheauthoritieshadfrequentconsultationswiththeKommandantur.Thiswashowtheywonconcessionsinmattersaffectingthewelfareofciviliansand,inmorethanonecase,preventedthedeathpenaltyfrombeingcarriedoutonIslanderswhogotintotrouble.

TheBailiffofJerseyintervenedwhentwoFrenchwomen,halfJewish,werearrestedshortlyaftertheD-DaylandingsinNormandyandtakentocourtforacrimeagainsttheReich.Itwasaseriouscharge.Thetwowomen,withmorepatriotismthandiscretion,hadtypedoutmessagesonslipsofpaperurgingmutinyandpassedthemtoGermansoldiers.TheirexecutionwouldhavefollowediftheBailiff,AlexanderCoutanche,hadnotmadeapersonalpleatotheJudgewhoturnedouttobewiseenoughtoseethatexecutingthewomenwaslikelytocauseothertroubles.Heconvertedthedeathpenaltyintolifeimprisonment-atermwhichlastedonlyafewmonthsuntilthewarwasover.

ProtestsfromtheIslandauthoritiesbroughtintoquestionallmannerofincursionsintotheirzonesofinfluencewhichincludedinfringementsofthelegitimaterightsofconqueredpeoplesaccordingtotheHagueConvention.TherewereprotestswhentheKommandantimposeda20%reductioninthebreadrationasareprisalforRAFattacksonGermansshipping.InJerseythe

BailiffprotestedagainsttheKommandant’sorderthatciviliansshouldbuildaroadtoanarmyammunitiondumpandalsoagainsttherequisitionoffoodstockswhichhadbeenimportedfromFrancebytheIslandersthemselves.AllsuchargumentsanddiscussionswereeffectiveonlybecauseofrelationswiththeGermansfosteredbytheauthoritiesinJerseyandGuernsey.

InFrancethepositionwasmoreclearcut.Thelimitsofcollaborationwereeasiertodefine.Ontheonehand,menandwomenoftheresistancemovementriskedtheirlivesinthesabotageofGermaninstallations.Ontheotherhand,Frenchcollaboratorswereclearlyonthesideoftheenemyandhelpedtoimposethenewregimeonthepopulation.Inbetweenthesetwoextremeswerethosewhotriedtocarryontheirdailylivesbydodgingthesystemwheretheycouldandcomplyingorevencollaborating,insmallmatterswhentheyhadto.

AsignificantdifferenceintheIslanders’positioninrelationtotheGermanswasthatresistancecouldnothavelastedmorethanaweek.TheIslandsweretoosmallforanaggressivecampaignofsabotage.Therewasnospacetomanoeuvreortocreatesafehidingplaces.InFrancethemenoftheMaquishadtherefugeofthemountainsandthelongdistancesofFrenchterrainforescape.Theyappearedoutofnowhere,toreuprailwaylinesanddisappearedintothenightlikeghosts.EscapadesofthiskindwereimpossibleinJerseyorGuernsey.

TheIslanderswereinvirtualprisonsofafewsquaremilesoflandsurroundedbysea.AlexanderCoutanche,AmbroseSherwillandothershadtofindwaysofguidingtheirpeoplethroughthehardyearstothetimeofliberation.Theywereontheirown.Theyhadtomakeuptheirownrules.Butatleasttherewereguide-linesandthesedefinedmorethananythingelsetherolestheyweretoplay.

InJerseytheguide-linecameintheformofatelephonecalltoAlexanderCoutancheinthelasthoursbeforetheGermanslanded.ThevoiceattheotherendofthelinewasthatofSirAlexanderMaxwell,Under-SecretaryofStateattheHomeOffice.HiswordstoCoutanchewereprecise:‘“ItistheKing’swishthatyouandtheBailiffofGuernseyremainatyourposts.HewillnotacceptthepositionofnotbeingrepresentedintheIslandsattheirmomentofdanger.YouarecarryingoutthedirectwishoftheSovereign.Weknowthatwecanrelyuponyoutofaceuptothesituation,terribleasitmaybe.Thereisnoadvicethatonecangivetoanybodyintheseconditions.ButwhenwemeetagainIfeelsurethatIshallbeabletosaytoyouthatyouhaveworthilyfollowedtheexampleofBurgomasterMaxofBrussels.”

TheallusiontotheMayorofBrusselswasnotlostonCoutanchewhorememberedtheincidentintheGreatWarof1914.ItisrecordedthataGermanofficercameintotheBurgomaster’sofficeandthreatenedhimwitharevolver.TheBurgomasterrepliedbythrowinghispenonthetableandsaying:“ThatisallIhavetofightwith.”

ThateventinapreviouswarbearsaresemblancetoAmbroseSherwill’ssurrenderofGuernseywhenheputhismedalsonthetableandsaidthattherewerenolongeranyriflesintheIsland.

Sherwillwastogothroughmanytroublesandchangesinthenextfewyears,experiencingsolitaryconfinementinaParisprisonanddeportationtoahostagecampinGermany.ButhelaterspokeofhisadmirationforatoprankingGermanofficer(BaronvonAufsess)whohadsavedhiswifeandchildrenfromdeportation–achivalrousactbytheGermanwhich,ifdiscoveredbytheNaziauthorities,wouldhavemeanthisarrestandexecutionbyfiringsquad.

IncidentssuchasthisshowedthattheGermansandtheIslanderswereoftenclosertoeachotherthantheoversimplifiedpictureofHunsagainsttheirvictims.Theylivedtogetherintheconfinesofthewarsituationandsometimesdevelopedpersonalrelationshipsquitedifferentfromtheconventionalcategoriesofpatriotsandenemy.

WhenthedeadbodiesofBritishsailorsfromthetorpedoedRoyalNavyshipCharybdiswerewashedashoreinJerseyandGuernseytheGermansorganisedasolemnmilitaryfuneralfortheirdeadenemies,allowingUnionJackstocoverthecoffins.Itwas,initsway,asalutetothehumanqualitiesofthosecaughtupinthemaelstromofwar.

DealingwithpersonalproblemsfromdaytodaywastheonlycourseopentoChannelIslanderscaughtastheywereinthegripoftheNazisystem.ThequestiontheyaskedthemselveswashowtoholdfasttoafaiththatonedaythewarwouldendandliberatethemfromHitler’sregimewhichnoone,notevensomeoftheGermans,believedcouldstandagainstthecombinedmilitaryforcesoftheAllies.

Chapter14Hitler’sIslandProjects

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T

heHighCommandinBerlinpivotedonHitlerhimselfwhoneverthelessreceivedadvicefromtheGeneralStaff,Jodl,Keitel,Dönitzandtheiraides.AlthoughtheadvicewasoftendisregardedinfavourofHitler’sintuitions,itwasobvioustoallconcernedthattheWehrmachtwouldhavetogaincontroloftheChannelIslandswhich,ifleftunoccupied,mightprovidebasesfortheRAFandthelightercraftoftheRoyalNavy,thusposingathreattoGermanforcesalreadymassingalongtheChannelcoastsfortheinvasionofEngland.

FromHitler’spointofviewtheIslandswouldhavetobeneutraliseduntiltheinvasionhadbeenaccomplished.TheymightalsohaveapracticaluseassupplyareasfortheGermanlandingsinSouthWestEngland.ButwiththepostponementoftheinvasionHitlerbegantoseethattheoccupationoftheIslandswouldrepresentadiplomatictriumph,anearlysignofBritain’sGermanisation.

SoonthemuchvauntedlandingsinEngland,knownasOperationSealion,losttheirpriorityintheNazitimetablebecauseofaircraftlossesinthebattleswiththeRAF.Inthemeantime,GermanforceshadtakenovertheChannelIslandsandHitlerbecameincreasinglyanxioustomakethemsecure,believingthattheBritishwereawaitingasuitableopportunitytoregainpossessionofthem.Theywouldbeparticularlyvulnerableattimeswhenhisattentionwasdirectedelsewhere,suchaswhendealingwiththeBalkansor,later,whenhisforcesweretocrosstheborderintoRussia.

HethereforegaveorderstofortifyJersey,GuernseyandAlderneywithsufficientarmamentandtroopstoresistpossiblelandingsbytheBritish.TheconstructionofdefencesandtheallocationofadditionalWehrmachtpersonnelthereforewentahead.

ForthenexttwelvemonthstheamountofbuildingmaterialsandarmamentsarrivingintheIslandsconvincedsomeseniorArmycommandersthatHitlerhadtakenaninterestintheseoffshoreareasfarandawaybeyondtheirmilitaryworth.AlongsidetheengineeringconstructionworksupervisedbyDr.FritzTodt,thenumberandvarietyofgunsferriedinwasenoughintheendtoarmseveralfortresseswhich,infact,theIslandswereanditwasthusthatHitlernamedthem.

Thefortificationsmaynothavebeenasexcessiveastheyatfirstseemed.RichardMayne,theOccupationhistorian,writesthataglanceatthenearbycoast

RichardMayne,theOccupationhistorian,writesthataglanceatthenearbycoastofNormandyshowsthattherangeandnumberofthelargergunscouldsupplyartillerycoveroftheseawaysfromCherbourgtoCapFréhel,obviatingtheneedforscoresofbatteriesontheFrenchmainland.

ThelargestgunsinGuernsey,knownastheMirusbattery,werereconditionedbattleshipguns.TheywereusefulforthepurposetheyhadinthecentreoftheChannelIslands,beingcapableofsendinga500poundshelloveradistanceof24miles.InJerseyfour22centimetreFrenchgunswerethelargest.Inaddition,anartillerynetworkextendedlikearingofsteelroundtheIsland,withbatteriesatWestmount,Blanchepierre,LaHaule,St.Aubin,Noirmont,RedHouses,LaPulente,St.Ouen’sChurch,LesLandesandroundtotheEastinSt.Martin,atLaCoupe,VerclutandontoGrouvilleandMaufant.ForuseincaseofattackbyseaorfromtheairtheGermanspossessednumerousflakandmobileanti-tankguns.

FatherBourdedelaRogerie,ofLaSociétéGuernesiaise,andMissKathleenNowlantranslatedthetextofWeDefendedNormandybyGeneralSpeidel,onetimeChiefofStafftoFieldMarshallRommel.ThebookshowsthatHitlerhadaneightyearplanformassivefortificationsintheChannelIslands.Itwasaprojectwhichobsessedhim,perhapsforpsychologicalreasonswhichwentbeyondmilitaryconsiderations.Bythespringof1944theIslandshadthirtyeightstrongpoints,concreteundergroundsheltersforcommandpostsandnetworksoftunnelsforthestorageofammunitionandvehicles.

GeneralSpeidelmakesanastonishingcomparisonwithHitler’sfortificationswhichextendedfromDieppetoSt.Nazaire.Thiscoastlineof1000kilometres(625miles)hadthesamenumberofheavybatteriesas

Hitler’sIslandProjects

theChannelIslandsandonlythirtysevenstrongpoints.AwholedivisionoftroopswasstationedinJerseyandGuernsey,plusananti-aircraftbattalionandatankbattalion.RommelrecommendedwithdrawingalargeproportionofthesemenwhocouldbeusedtomoreadvantageontheContinent.AftertheAlliedlandingsinNormandyhebeggedtheFührertolethimhavethetroopsasreinforcementsbutwasrefused.Hitler’sintelligencereportssuggested–wrongly,asitturnedout–thattheBritishwereabouttoattacktheChannelIslandswithaforceapproximatingtoadivision.Rommelagainpleadedformoremenwithoutsuccess.Attheendofthewartheentiregarrisonsofboth

Islandshadtosurrenderwithouthavingfiredashot.

ThosewhomaythinkthattheGermanchainofcommandproceededfromyeartoyearwithoutdisagreements,withoutfrictionandaccordingtoanespeciallyGermanlogicwouldbesurprisedtolearnthatfewmilitaryoradministrativechangeswerewhatthoseintoppositionsexpected.DevelopmentscameaboutaftercompromisesbetweenwhattheFührerdemandedandwhattheMinistriesandtheofficialsoftheMilitaryGovernmentcouldarrange.Theresultwasoftenaconfusionofhalfrealisedplansandmuchwasteofmanpowerandequipment.

OKWinBerlin(OberkommandoWehrmacht–theHighCommand)decidedin1942tosendacertainMajorLamyonafactfindingmissiontotheChannelIslands.Hecametotheconclusion,afterlookinground,thatthenumberofpersonnelinthegarrisonsandintheKommandanturwasgreatlyinexcessofnormalrequirementsinarelativelysmalloutpostofHitler’sempire.MostoftheactivitiesoftheKommandanturcouldwellbeundertakenbytheArmy,hesuggested,asofficersandmenhadlittletodointheuneventfulyearsof1942,1943anduptoJune1944.MajorLamywantedtoreducethedraininmenandequipmentforwhathesawasanunnecessarydeploymentofGermanresources.

TheseideasdidnotreceiveasympathetichearingamongseniorofficersintheIslands.TheywereonthewholecompetentmilitarymenbutitwouldhavebeennaturaliftheydislikedtheprospectofendingtheirpleasantsojourninJerseyandGuernseyasaresultoftherationalisationofdutiesandsystemsofadministration.Nordidthemilitarycommanderswishtoseetheirarmamentsdown-gradedintheoverallevaluation.

Conflictsbetweenindividualsandthedepartmentsconcernedhadtheeffectofkeepingthingsastheywere.MajorLamy’ssweepingreformshadlittlechanceagainstthecomplicationsofGermanbureaucracy.DisagreementsaboutthefortificationsandmanningoftheIslandsweresymptomaticoflargerproblemselsewhereintheNaziorganisation.TheymarkedasplitbetweenHitler’sinnercircleofyes-menandthemorepracticalmembersofthetraditionalofficerclass.

Thesplitwidenedastheyearswentpast.ItshoweditselfinthesuitcasebombplacedinHitler’sEastPrussiaheadquarterswhentheFührernarrowlyescapeddeathanditledtothesubsequentNightoftheGeneralswhenallthosedisenchantedwithHitler’sconductofthewarfellintothegripoftheGestapo,toendureanignominiousexecutionastraitors.

RevoltsintheGermanArmy,fannedbycatastrophiclossesontheRussianfront,increasedthedisagreementsoverthefortificationsandexcessivemanpowerintheChannelIslands,symbolicastheywereofthewholefaultededificeoftheNaziregime.

Aboveandpreviouspage:Hitler’sordersforthefortificationoftheIslands(Englishtranslation)ThisdocumentcameintothepossessionofLaSociétéGuernesiaise,giventotheSocietybyHisExcellencytheLieutenantGovernorofGuernsey,translationsbeingmadefromtheGermanbyTheReverendABourdedelaRogerieandMissKathleenNowlanwhothenagreddtoafinaldraft.(BycourtesyofthePriaulxLibrary,Guernsey)

Chapter15MovesBehindTheScenes

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helastelevenmonthsoftheOccupationweretochangepersonalattitudes,bothonthesideoftheIslandersandonthepartoftheGermans.TherehadalwaysbeenadifferencebetweenreactionsinGuernseyandthoseinJersey.JohnLeale,PresidentoftheGuernseyControllingCommittee(replacingAmbroseSherwillafterthelatter’sarrestbytheNazis)respectedthebestamongtheGermansandheoncesaidthatitwasimportantthattheGermansshouldhaveagoodopinionoftheGuernseypeople.

MembersoftheGermanforcesreturningafterthewarastouristsfoundnohostilityintheIslandwhichtheyhadbroughtintotheNazisystem.Inatleasttwocases,theyhadmarriedyoungwomeninthebailiwickandwhenreleasedfromprisonerofwarcampsinEngland,hadsettleddownwiththeirChannelIslandwivesandbeenacceptedintothecommunity.

ItwasdifferentinJerseywheremostpeopledidnotshowthesametolerance,possiblybecausetheyfollowedtheleadoftheBailiffwhopreservedformalrelationswiththeoccupiersand,unlikeJohnLealeinGuernsey,didnotconcernhimselfwiththeirgoodopinionorotherwise.

GuernseypeoplewereperhapsmorehumanandlessambitiousthantheirfellowChannelIslandersacrossthewaterinJersey.Butinbothbailiwicksthetrialsandtribulationsofthelastmonthsofthewarbroughttheinhabitantsdowntobasic

tribulationsofthelastmonthsofthewarbroughttheinhabitantsdowntobasiclevelsofsurvival,soldiersandciviliansalike.

Fromthesummerof1944theproblemofsupplyingfoodtotheIslandswasuppermostinthemindsoftheGermansandtheIslandauthorities.IftheFrenchportsoftheCotentinpeninsularandasfarroundasSt.MalobecameisolatedbytheAlliedadvanceinNormandy,GermanshipswouldbeunabletoreachtheIslandswithsupplies.Thismeantthataccumulatedrationsstillinstockandwhatevercouldbeexpectedfromthelocalharvestswouldhavetofeedthepopulationsandthemilitarygarrisonsinthemonthsahead.

TheGermanCommander-in-Chiefofthewest,OberbefelshabervonKluge,realisedthattheChannelIslandsmightfalltotheAllies,notinbattlebutasaresultofstarvation.HerecommendedthatciviliansshouldbetransportedtoFranceorGermanysothatfoodsuppliesdestinedforJerseyandGuernseycouldbeusedexclusivelybytheWehrmacht.

AdecisiononewayortheotherrestedasusualwithHitlerbutitwassofraughtwithimponderablesthathewasquiteunabletomakeuphismindonthequestionofmassdeportations.Thedifficultyofprovidingshipswasanotherproblem.InJulyof1944theseawayfromtheChannelIslandstoSt.MalowasstillopenbutHitler’sindecisionswentonforsolongthatintheendthisroutetoFrancewasclosed.Asaresult,lackoffoodandfuelwastounderminethemoraleofthegarrisonsinthelastsixmonthsoftheOccupation.TheIslanderswerefortunateinnotbeingsenttojointheirEnglish-bornneighboursincampsontheContinentwhereconditionswouldhavebeenrigorousintheextreme.

InOctoberacalculationbytheCommander-in-ChiefoftheIslandsshowedthatcivilianswouldbewithoutfoodfromthebeginningofthenewyear.TheHeadoftheCivilAffairsbranchoftheMilitaryGovernmentinJersey,BaronvonAufsess,foresawthesupplyproblemasearlyasAugust,1944,whentheportofSt.MalofellintoAmericanhands.HecomposedastatementonthesituationforhissuperiorswhichheintendedfortransmissiontotheBritish.Itran,aftertranslation,asfollows.

From31stJanuary,1945,suppliesforthecivilianpopulationcannolongerbeguaranteed.ThereisnoquestionofavoluntarysurrenderoftheIslandsbeforeGermanyisdefeated.Wethereforechallengeyou(theBritish)tobattle.Ifyouwillnotacceptthechallenge,shipswithsuppliesforthecivilianpopulationmustbesentundertheconditionssetoutbelow.Otherwisethecivilianpopulationwillfacestarvation.

facestarvation.

ThewordingofthetextwasespeciallydesignedtopersuadetheBritishGovernmenttoagreetosendthefoodshipswhile,atthesametime,conformingwiththeGermanArmy’sconceptofitssoldierlyhonour.

InthemeantimetheBailiffofJersey,AlexanderCoutanche,sentaMovesBehindtheScenes

memorandumtovonAufsessinthenameoftheStates,emphasisingtheoccupier’sresponsibilityunderinternationallawforfeedingthepopulationandaddingthat,iftheydidnot,theGermanswouldhavetojustifytheirconductafterthewarbeforethehigherauthorityofthenationsconcerned.BaronvonAufsessinhisOccupationDiarymentionsthismemorandumandsaysofCoutanche:“Heisourswornopponent....awilyoldlawyer.”

AppealsforfoodwentthroughseveralchannelstotheBritishGovernmentandtotheInternationalRedCrossinSwitzerland.Noonenowknowswhichoftheseapproacheswasintheenddecisive.TherewastheGuernseystatementofthepositioncarriedtoEnglandbytheredoubtableCaptainNoyen,sailingawayatnightinafishingboat.TherewastheversiontakentoFrancebyNormanRumball,oneoftheyoungmenescapingfromJersey.Twootherversionsoftheappealwentthroughofficialchannels-theBailiffofGuernsey’slettertotheRedCrossinSwitzerlandandacopyofCoutanche’smemorandumtoBaronvonAufsesswhichwentbywayoftheSwissEmbassyinBerlin.

Analternativeproposal,basedonvonKluge’splan,camefromtheGermans.ThiswasanapproachtotheBritishGovernment,tobemadethroughtheProtectingPower(Switzerland),suggestinganevacuationofciviliansfromtheIslands,excludingmenofmilitaryage,withguaranteedfreepassagethroughtheEnglishChannelwithoutinterferencefromcoastalgunsoraircraft.AftermuchdiscussioninCabinet,ChurchillcametoseethatthemostpracticalsolutionwastosendfoodthroughtheRedCross.

NomilitaryobjectionswerevoicedbytheWarOfficewhoseopinioncontinuedtobethattheChannelIslandshadnostrategicimportance.Towhicheversourcetheresponsecanbecredited,thefactisthattheRedCrosscargoshipVegaarrivedintheIslandsattheendofDecemberandthissavedscores,evenhundredsoflives.

ThisadditionalfoodwhichcamefrommanypartsoftheEmpirebutnotablyfromNewZealandandCanadaconsistedoftinnedproductssuchasspam,bakedbeans,milkpowder,cereals,sugarandnecessitieslikesoap.Itbroughtthedailydietperpersonupto1137caloriesbutitshowedthatthenewsupply,thoughvital,wasnomorethanasupplementaryration.Anormaldailyrequirementwouldhavebeen3000calories.Therecipientswereneverthelessgratefulandoverjoyed,evenmoresowhenasecondRedCrossconsignmentarrivedfiveweekslater.

TheCommander-inChiefoftheIslands,vonSchmettow,wasamanwhoactedaccordingtotraditionalarmycodeswhendealingwithconqueredpeoples.HisorderswerethatRedCrossparcelsdestinedfortheIslanderswerenottobetouchedbythetroopsoranyothermembersoftheWehrmacht.ThisattitudewasadheredtoevenwhenGermansoldiersandsailorsweresohungrythattheywentoutscouringthebeachesforlimpetstoeat.

AmongthetopofficersthreestandoutasbeingparticularlyreasonableandscrupulousinadministeringGermanregulations–GeneralvonSchmettow,ColonelvonHeldorfandBaronvonAufsess.Buttheyhadtoactwithintheruleslaiddownbyhigherauthorities,oneofwhichwasthat,withthearrivaloftheRedCrossparcels,theyweretotakealargeproportionoflocalgrains,vegetablesanddairyproductsforthegarrisons.AsaresulttheIslandershadnotmuchmorethantheirRedCrossparcelstoliveon.

Thebleakwinterof1944andthefirstmonthsof1945wastobeatimewhenhumanvaluesweretobetestedinboththeIslandersandtheGermans.Itwasatimewhenhungerandfearengenderedanoutlookofstarkrealism.Thiswasthebeginningofanewurgeforthechangeswhichweretocome,forbetterorforworse,inthepostwarworld.

Chapter16End-Game

I

nthelastyearofthewarthebalanceofpowerbetweenthethreeservicesinHitler’sHighCommandshiftedfromtheArmytowardstheNavy.OnereasonforthiswasHitler’slossofconfidenceinseniormilitarymenafterthesuitcasebombandtherevoltoftheGenerals.TheNavyontheotherhandhadalways

shownunswervingloyaltytotheFührer.ItwasachangeofemphasiswhichaffectedcommandcirclesintheChannelIslands.Anewcomerappearedonthesceneinthesummerof1944totakeoverthepostofChiefofStaff,deputytotheCommander-in-Chief,vonSchmettow.HewasVice-AdmiralFriedrichHüffmeier,muchrespectedintheGermanNavyforadaringexploitin1942whenhecommandedthepocketbattleshipScharnhorstandsavedit,withitssistershipGeneisenau,fromcertainsinkingbytheRoyalNavy.BeingappointedasChiefofStaffintheIslandswasapreludetoHüffmeier’sfinalmovetothepostofCommander-in-ChiefinplaceofvonSchmettow.

TheofficersupervisingallterritoriesintheareaoftheEnglishChannelandtheNorthSeawasOberbefehlshaber-West.HeforesawthatasuddenchangefromvonSchmettowtoHüffmeierwouldcausetroublebetweentheArmyandNavy.ForthisreasonHüffmeierbecameatfirstvonSchmettow’sdeputy,thusbringingaNavalinfluencetobearonpolicydecisionswithoutalarmingtheArmy.

BaronvonAufsess,asHeadofCivilAffairs,observedwhatwashappening.HenotesinhisOccupationDiarythat,inthelatterpartof1944,Hüffmeierseemedtobehavingmoreandmoretosayaboutwhatshouldbedone.Electricitywasbeingdistributedtoogenerously,Hüffmeiersaid,whenitwasneededforNavaldockyardrepairs.Anotherofhissuggestionswasthatrationsforthetroopsweretoohighandthatciviliansshouldalsohavetheirrationsreduced.AtalaterstagehesaidthatciviliansshouldbeevacuatedtotheFrenchmainlandsothatlocalsuppliesoffoodcouldgoexclusivelytothegarrisons.

MeanwhilethetransferofpowerfromArmytoNavywasbecomingmoreandmoreobvious.AlexanderCoutancheinhismemoirsrecallsthatatsometimeinthissiegeperiodvonAufsesstoldhimthatfourpeopleintheIslandwereundersuspicionasbeingunreliable–vonSchmettow,hisChiefofStaffatthetime,vonHelldorf,vonAufsesshimselfandalsotheJerseyBailiff,Coutanche.Itwouldonlybeaquestionoftimebeforeallfourwereremoved,vonAufsesssaidandaddedthataplacehadbeenreservedforCoutancheintheAlderneyconcentrationcamp.

Intheearlymonthsof1945HüffmeiertoldhisnavalchiefatMarineoberkommando-WestthatvonSchmettowwasfailingtoinspirehisofficerswiththewilltoholdontotheIslandsintheincreasinglycriticalsituationdeveloping.TheaxefellonMarch1stwhenHüffmeierwasgivenoverallcommandandvonSchmettowreceivedorderstoreturntoGermanyon

thegroundsofillhealth.AcourtmartialawaitedvonHeldorfforfailingtocarryoutrepressivemeasuresontheIslanders.Infact,vonHeldorfwasaconscientiousadministratorandhehadseentheadvantageoftreatingthepopulationsreasonably.

TheadministrationoftheIslandsbecamemoreandmorelikeagothicmelodrama.Officerslivedinthemidstofsinisterwhispersandrumours.TheysuspectedeachotherofdisloyaltytotheFührerandoflettingslipindiscreetremarksaboutbrotherofficers.Theyhadtoguardtheirlipsasiftheslightestwordmightbetrayatreasonablethoughtwhichcouldleadtothegallows,amodeofexecutionreservedfortraitors.

Asformeninthenon-commissionedranks,theysharedthefeelingsoftheIslanders.BothgroupswantedanendtothewarandtheOccupation.Theywereonacommonlevelofmiseryashumanbeings.OnlyHüffmeierandtheyoungerofficersimbuedwithHitler’sfaithinthefuturebelievedinultimatevictoryorsawthepointofcontinuingthestruggle.

ThepositionofvonAufsess,aknownloveroftheEnglish,wasbecomingincreasinglyperilous.EverydayheexpectedhisarrestandremovaltoGermany.Afriendofhisinthesignalssectionpromisedtolethimknowifatelegramarrived.IfthishappenedhewouldputintooperationhisplanofescapeacrossthewatertoFrancewheretheAmericanArmywas

HeknewthreeJerseypeople-twomenandagirl-whoalsowantedtoleave.TheyownedasailingyawlinGoreyharbourpoweredwithtwooutboardmotors.VonAufsessprovidedpetrolandrationsandarrangedwithanotherfriend,theofficerinchargeoftheharbour,tolettheboatputtoseawhenthetimecame.HeprovidedhimselfwithidentitypapersinthenameofaFrenchlabourerinordertoavoidbeingheldbytheAmericanArmy.

OrdinaryGermansoldiersintheIslandsalreadysawthemselvesasprisonersofwar.RumourswentaroundofprisoncampsinCanadawaitingtoreceivethem.Inthejokingwaythatsoldiershaveinbadtimes,theycalledthemselvestheCanadaregiment.Somewereplanningmutiny.

NewscameindailyofgiganticlossesbytheGermanArmyfightingonitshomefrontagainsttheRussiansintheeastandtheAlliesinthewest.AroundthetopofficersinHüffmeier’sentouragethemelodramareachednewheightsofsuspense.VonAufsessknewthathisescapecouldnotlongbedelayed.Butat

suspense.VonAufsessknewthathisescapecouldnotlongbedelayed.Butatthelastmoment,receivingapostingtoGuernsey,hebecameseparatedfromtheownersoftheboatinGoreyharbourandfromhisfriendinthesignalssection.

Bywatchinghiseverymovehesurvivedand,asdaysandweekswentbyinMarchandApril,heevengainedHüffmeier’sconfidence.QuestionsofloyaltywereirrelevantafterthearrivaloftheBritishliberationforceinMaywhentwenty-seventhousandGermansbecameprisonersofwarandvonAufsesswentwiththemtotemporarycaptivityinEngland.

ThroughouttheyearsoftheOccupationrelationshipsbetweenGermansandIslandersweresometimesonanordinaryhumanleveldistinctfromofficialattitudesaswhentheGermansoldierinGuernseytookCharlesMachontoalastmeetingwithhismother.Amongthehigherranks,MajorLanzshowedanintelligentunderstandingofpeopleinhiscontactswiththeGuernseyStates.GeneralvonSchmettowhandledthoseunderhiscommand,militarypersonnelandcivilians,withtheoutlookandvaluesofanearliergeneration.Aboveallothers,peoplerememberthesterlingqualitiesoftheHeadofCivilAffairsintheMilitaryAdministration,HansMaxvonAufsess,amanofwidehumansympathiesandanexperienceoflifewhichcomprisedallthatwasbestintheEuropeantradition.

ComparisonscanbemadebetweentheGermanoccupationsoftheChannelIslandsandotherpartsofEurope.IthasbeensaidthatJerseyandGuernseysufferedlessfromtheNazisystemthanplacesontheContinent.InthewordsofoneJerseyman,itwasarelativelybenignoccupation,harshandtragicthoughitwasforthoselanguishinginhostagecampsorotherswhofellintothehandsoftheSSincontinentalprisons.

AmongthebestoftheGermanoccupierstherewasarealaffectionfortheIslandswiththeirold-fashionedwayoflifeandtheirscenicbeautiesofvalley,beachandrockycove.Toseethegreencotîlsslopingtowardstheseaandthelushmeadowswiththeirfarmsafterthehardshipsofthewarfrontswaslikecomingtoparadise,oneofthenewcomerssaid.

WhenvonSchmettowwasbasedinJerseyatthebeginningoftheOccupationhehadCardingtonLodgeashisprivateresidenceandlikedtotakewalksintheNoirmontwoods.VonAufsess,too,wascharmedbythelandscapeandthesandybeacheswherehelovedtocanterhishorse.Germanex-servicemen,interviewedafterthewar,saidtheywerestruckbythebeautyoftheIslandsandmanycamebackonholidayinlateryearstoseetheirwartimebilletsandthe

manycamebackonholidayinlateryearstoseetheirwartimebilletsandthegunsiteswhereoncetheyhadkeptguardonthecliffsandpromontories.

In1940theIslanderslookedontheGermanswithsuspicionandwerehardlyoverjoyedatbeingtakenoverbyuniformedforeigners.EvenoriginalNormanfamiliesfeltthemselvestobeBritishwithafundamentalallegiancetotheSovereignofEngland,theirprotectorsincemedievaltimes.If,asoftenhappened,Germansoldiersmadeattemptstobefriendly,theIslanderswereuncertainhowtoreact.Thiswasthetightropetheytrodonalllevels.TheJerseyBailiffandthePresidentoftheGuernseyControllingCommitteehadtoperformdelicatebalancingactswhennegotiatingconcessionsfromtheinvaders.

TheKommandanturandtheWehrmachtheldalltheacesinthisunequalgameuntilthewinterof1944.Powerwastheirstoexertovermenandwomentryingtocarryontheirdailylives.But,astheOccupationentereditslastsixmonthswhensiegeconditionsandfoodshortagesaffectedbothsides,acuriousreversalofpopularsentimenttookplace.WhereasintheearlyyearstheGermanshadbeenthemoreconfidentofthetwo,agraduallesseningoftheirmoralebroughtthemnearertothelevelofthepopulations.ItwasnowtheIslanderswhoseconfidencegrewwitheverypassingday.

Everyoneknewthattheendofthewarwasinsight.FortheGermansnogloriousfuturelayahead.AcompletesocialandeconomiccollapseintheFatherlandwouldfollowinthewakeofdefeat.HalfstarvedsoldiersoftheonceproudGermanarmybegantolooklikebandsofbedraggledscavengers.LeslieSinel,inalatertelevisioninterview,recalledthechangeandsaidhefeltsorryforthem.NoonecouldhavepredictedthatatimewouldcomewhenaJerseymancouldsaythathewassorryfortheGermans.

AfterthewarareturntotheoldwayoflifeintheIslandswasnolongerpossible.Peoplehadbeenthroughtoomuch.Thereweredemandsforanewtypeofgovernment.In1948thecompositionoftheStatesAssemblieschangedtogiveseatstoelectedmembersinplaceoftheunelectedjuratsandparishrectors.Itwasanoutwardsignofthebeginningofanewera.Muchofthepre-warstyleofeverydaylivingwaslostbuttheworlditselfwaschangingandthepeopleintheseoffshorecommunitieshadtochangewithit.

Inspectingweaponryfromanotherage(ElizabethCastle)

Photocallforsummervisitors(FortressEngineerStaff14)

Off-dutyatSt.Ouen’sManor,JerseyInthegardenofFeldkommandanturOfficer’sMess,Jersey

InthegardenofFeldkommandanturOfficer’sMess,Jersey

GermanmilitaryfuneralofRAFSergeantsButlinandHoldenshotdownoverJersey

Germanofficers

fraternising

Soldiers’recreationclub,St.Helier

InteriorwithGermannurses

Theenemymeetsfreeenterprise

Germanofficersinthesun

AustrianandSwissreceptionistscompetewithlocalgirls

Theendofanera–prisonerofficersdisembarkinginEngland

Troopsrelaxonexercise

Cheers!Beforetheshortages

LazydaysonleaveOneforthealbum194

Part3

TheGermans

FranzZurhorst

Chapter17Close-UpoftheOccupiers

M

enandwomeninJersey,GuernseyandSarklivingthroughthewaryearsfrom1940to1945lookedattheGermaninvadersandhadtheirownthoughtsaboutthestrangersintheirmidst.Tosomethenewcomersseemedattimesfriendlyenough.TootherstheGermansworetheforbiddingmaskofintruderswhotookovertheIslandsandintroducedregulationsthat,tosaytheleast,wereinconvenient.SomelivedinfearofarrestanddeportationtotheconcentrationcampsofGermanyforusingsecretradiostoreceivetheBBCnewsofthewar.

NowthattheOccupationhasrecededintothedistantpastpeoplemayaskwhattheGermansthemselvesthoughtoftheIslanderswhommanyofthemmetalmostdaily.AndwhatdidtheGermansthinkofthewarandthestrangefatewhichhadbroughtthemtotheseoffshorecommunities?Aseriesofinterviews

whichhadbroughtthemtotheseoffshorecommunities?AseriesofinterviewscarriedoutbyChannelTelevisionshowedhowtheyrespondedtothelocalpopulationsandtotheirsojournintheIslands.

ThetelevisionteamhadthetaskofpromptingthememoriesofmenlongsincedischargedfromtheGermanarmedforces.Transcriptsoftheoriginalinterviewshavebeenediteddowntothefollowingtexts.MostaretranslationsfromtheGerman.AfewareintheEnglishofthosewhohadagoodcommandofthelanguage.

Thattheinvadersweregoingtobeharshmasterswasverymuchinthemindsoflocalpeopleawaitingtheirarrival.Everyonehadheard,throughnewspapersandtheradio,ofthebitterwindwhichhadblownoverGermanyinthenineteenthirties,latersweepingtheJewsandothervictimsintotheprisonsandconcentrationcampsorintoexile.Itwasthereforeasurprisewhenthenewcomersseemed,onthewhole,tobereasonableandfriendly.

ThebrutalSSinchargeofcampprisons,theguardsoftheTodtOrganizationandtheFieldPolicewereallunderseparateauthoritiesfromthecommandstructuregoverningofficersandmenintheArmy,NavyandAirForceamongwhomwecanrecognise,invaryingdegrees,anormalreactiontolifeandhumanrelationships.

Theygiveanimpressionofwantingtoreachaworkableunderstandingwiththeciviliansandadesiretobeacceptedonanordinarysocialbasis.Oneofthemsaysthatneithersidewantedthewar–nottheGermansnortheIslanders.Itisclearthattheaveragesoldierfeltalmostasmuchavictimofthesituationasthepeoplewhomhehadover-run.

CaptainHansKegelmannhadbeeninatankbattalionontheRussianfrontwherehewaswoundedandplacedamongthosesentbacktothewestinanexchangeofpersonnel.HearrivedinJerseyinthefirstpartof1944.

IhadthegoodfortunetocometoJersey.ItookoveracompanywhichatthetimewasstationedintheAberfeldyHotelandthenweweretransferredtoBrabantinTrinity.IalreadyknewsomethingofthesignificanceoftheChannelIslands–andthehistoricalreasonsforthem–aboutWilliamtheDukeofNormandywhowaslaterthefirstKingofEngland.AlsoIhadsomeknowledgefromschooloftheEnglishlanguage.WewerealittlebitfavourablydisposedtowardstheEnglish-athomeinGermany,too.Therewasakindof–howcanIputit–akinship,andtheywereabitclosertoussimplyonaccountofthe

putit–akinship,andtheywereabitclosertoussimplyonaccountofthelanguageandonaccountofthiskindredrelationshipwhichwascausedbythoseroyaldynasties.

Itfeltalmostlikeathome,Imustsay.TheJerseypeoplewerenormal.Theybehavednormally.Theywerenotafraid.Theywereinarelativelygoodsituation,theywerewelldressed,theyhadbeautifulhouses,theyhadroads.Infact,theyhadeverythingtheyneeded.Therewerewatermains.Wastedisposalwasprovidedandthereweremanyotherthingswhichwehadathome,too.Andsotherewasaperfectimpression,asiftherehadbeennowar.Itwaslikebeingonholiday.

HansKegelmannseemedtodevelopaneasyunderstandingwiththefewJerseypeoplehemet,particularlyawayfromthetowninthecountryparishofTrinity.Whenfoodstockswerelowhehaddealingswithafarmerandboughteggsfromtimetotime.

Wehadourturnips,too–thosecropswhichwerebasicallyinlargequantitiesbutweremonotonous.Therewerealwayspeoplewhokeptusgoing.Youmightcallitbartering,wherewegavesomethingandgotsomethingelseinreturn.Andsothingsweregood.Imustsay,therewerenoagoniesinthissituationwiththeJerseypeople.Therewascloseco-operationinthissense–inahumansense–whichissomethingoutsideofnationalities.Andthequietnessandpeaceintheislandwaswonderful.Therewereveryfewalarmdayswhenplanesenteredtheairspaceorenemypatrolboatsappearedoffthecoasts.Itwasbasicallyagoodtimehere.Jerseywasreallyareservedzonewhichdidn’thavetosuffermuchofthehorrorsofwar–apartfromtherestrictionofconvenience,thescarcityoffoodandpetrolanddieseloilandsoon.Ofcourse,thepeoplewereoccupiedandtheywereunderanotherpowerandnaturallytheycouldn’tdoexactlywhattheywanted.

WhenChannelTelevisionaskedhimifhehadheardofaresistancemovementinJerseyhesaidhedidnotbelievethatsuchathingcouldhaveexisted.

Jerseyisanisland.Therewasnopossibilityofhidinganddisappearing.Itwaseasyfortheoccupyingpowertosearcheverywhere.Andanotherthing,thegeneralsituationwasnotsoseriousorsomenacingfortheJerseypeopleasitwasinFrance.Therewasperhapsmoreasenseofnationalhonourbeingtakenaway.Otherwisetheyhadlittletocomplainabout.Afterall,nogreatdangershadcomefromtheGermanoccupation.Ofcourse,they’dhadenoughofus.But

wariswar.Theyjusthadtomakethebestofit.Ican’tsayImetwithanyresistancegroups.

CaptainKegelmannseemstohavelookedonthebrightsideofthingsandthiswasprobablyhowmostoftheGermanssawthesituation.Now,yearslater,theyremembertheeasy-goingwayoflifeandtheygenuinelydidnotunderstandwhytheKommandanturinJerseyandGuernseyarrangedthedeportationsof1942.NordidtheyknowofthearrestsofthoseaidingtheescapesoftheRussianslaveworkersorofthemartyrdomofCharlesMachonandhisteamwhorantheUndergroundNewsServiceinGuernsey.

AnotherGermanwhohadpleasantmemoriesofthattimewasKurtSpangenburg,asergeantinamachinegunbattalionwhoarrivedinGuernseyin1940.

WewereveryimpressedbyhowbeautifultheChannelIslandofGuernseywas–allwellcaredforlikeabeautifulgarden.AlsothepeoplewereEnglish.WhethertheywereGuernseypeopleorJerseypeopletheywereEnglishtous.AndweknewthatEnglandorBritainhadaspecialassociationwiththeChannelIslands.TheywerethelastpossessionsofNormandywhichstillbelongedtoGreatBritain.Sowemadecontactwiththelocalculturalcircle.Manysoldierssaid,afterbeinginFrance,it’salmostlikeathome,thepeoplearefriendly.YoucouldunderstandEnglishbetterthanFrenchandsothewholeattitudeoftheGermans–itwasverypositive.ManyGuernseypeoplewereemployedbyusaslorrydriversortheywereinthekitchenortheywereintheofficer’smess.

ItwasessentiallydifferentfromFrance.Youcouldmovearoundfreely.Youweren’tforcedtocarryweapons–thatis,pistols.Onlywhatwascompulsory,aknifeinasheath.ThatwasalwayssointheGermanarmedforcesinpeace-timeeven.Butotherwiseyoudidn’tneedanything.AssoonasyouwenttoFranceyouhadtohaveeitherapistoloryouhadtohavearifleonyoubecauseyouhadtoexpecttobeshotbytheResistance.

WeallthoughtthepeopleintheIslandweresocleverandintelligentnottoofferresistancewhichwouldonlyhavebeenadisadvantageforthem–moreofadisadvantageforthecivilianpopulationthanforthesoldiers.ForwesayinGerman–pressuregeneratescounterpressure.Aftercurfew–eleveno’clockinsummer–civilianswouldstillberidingbyontheirbicyclesandwecouldhavestoppedthemandlockedthemupbutwedidn’tthinkofit.Theysaidgutenachtandwe

themandlockedthemupbutwedidn’tthinkofit.Theysaidgutenachtandwesaid‘goodnight’too.Andanotherthing–becausethecivilianpopulationlivedheretheBritishnevermadeabombingattack.IalwayssaidtheChannelIslandswerethebestairraidshelterinEurope.

TocometotheIslandsintheearlydaysoftheOccupationwastoexperiencethemattheirbest.WernerGrosskopfwasanNCOincommandofaplatoon.HerememberedhisfirstsightofthecoastofJerseyastheshipdrewnear.

Itwasawonderfuldaywhenwewentoverthere–bluesky,wonderfulsunshine.TherewasreallyanenthusiasmontheshipwhenwesawtheharbourofSt.Helier,thewhitevillasandhousesandthewonderfulclear,bluesea.AswelandedIwasthinkingbacktomyexchangeasapupil–goingtoEnglandinnineteentwenty-ninetolearnthewaysofEnglishlife.SofromthefirstdayIalwayssaidtomysoldiers–nowweareinacountrywheremilkandhoneyareflowingdayandnight.

Myfirstimpressionofthepopulationintownandalsointhecountrysidewasthattheyhadbeenverymuchshockedbytheoccupation.Itwasquiteunderstandable,thismoodofthepopulationbecauseIamsureanyoccupationintheworldisbadforthecountry.Thefarmerswhenwefirstmetthem...well,theysaid‘goodmorning’andwesaid‘goodmorning.’Itwas,anyway,difficultforthefirstmonthorshouldIsayeventhefirsttwoyearstomakereallyfriendships.IfyoucouldspeakabitofEnglish–alsoFrenchbecausethefarmerswerespeakingthatdialect–youcameintouchveryquickwiththepopulation.

WhentheGermansbeganbuildingconcretebunkersandobservationtowersWernerGrosskopfsawhowtheIslandersviewedtheseadditionstothelandscape.

NotonlyJerseybutGuernsey,SarkandAlderneywerefullofbuildingmachinesandcement.ItwashorriblehowmanypeoplefromtheNaziOrganisationTodtcameovertobuildthesebunkers.Andtheresentment–justofthefarmers–wasverysharpbecause,youmustimagine,wherethesebunkershadbeenbuiltwehadtakenawayperhapsthebestlandofthefarmer.Andthen,fromthevariouscampaigns,theybroughtoverforeignworkersandthatwasagreatdistress–toseethesepeoplelivinginbarracks,gettingsmallrationsandworkingdayandnighttobuildthesebunkersforus.Andwhenonebunkerwasfinisheditoftenhappenedthatthreeweekslaterthepioneershadtoblowitupbecauseitwasin

thewrongplace.AndIwasalwayssayingtomysoldierstherearetoomanycookspreparingthepiehere.

Thattheconcreteconstructionswereaspeciesofvandalismwasanopinionheldevenmorestronglybythelocalinhabitants,farmersornot,whosawtheirsurroundingsdisfiguredbytheseextensivedefenceworks.WernerGrosskopf,likemanysoldiersofallranks,believedthatthefortificationswerefartooelaborate.HealsothoughtthatmostpeopledidnotblametheArmyfortheordersofHitlercarriedoutbytheTodtOrganisation.NordidhethinkthataccusationsofGermanbrutalityweretrue.

AllcitizensofSt.Helierandalsothefarmersandthepopulationinthecountrysidehavefoundout,Iwouldsay,thattheGermansarenotliketheirnewspapersandtheradiohavetoldthem.TheyhaveseenthattheGermansareakindpeople.Andthemainthing,Ithink,isthattheyhaveseenthatwehavebeenverydisciplined.

Notfaraway,intheAlderneyconcentrationcamp,theroutinetreatmentofprisonersincludedexecutionsbyhanging,floggingandbeatingstothepointofdeath.Themethodsofkeepingdisciplinepractisedbythecamp’sSSpersonnelweredescribedbyaGermanprisonerwhosurvived,OttoSpehr,originallyfromHamburg.HiscrimewastodistributeleafletsagainstHitlerandtheNaziregimeforwhichhewentfirsttoprison,thentoaseriesofconcentrationcamps,finallyarrivinginAlderney.Hewasamongabatchofathousandprisonersinthetransport.Alargenumberofthemfoundthatatfirsttherewasnoshelterinthecampforsleeping,asOttoSpehrremembered:

Thefirstfewdaysmostofushadtospendthenightintheopen,therewereonlyfourorfivebuildingsready.Wehadtobuildtheothers.Andsowelayoutsidewherewecould.Thenlaterwehadtobuildbunkers,fortificationsandroads,laycablesandothersuchwork,underthesupervisionoftheSS.

Officiallyweweregiventhesamerationsbythecommissariatasthearmedforcesbecausewewereclassedasmanuallabourers.Butunfortunatelywedidn’tgetthembecausetheSSaskedfordoublehelpingsofbreakfastforthemselvesandsoldtoomuchontheblackmarketinGermany.

Inthemorningwegotupatfiveo’clock,cleanedthebarracks,hadbreakfast–thosethathadanythingforbreakfast.Then,nextwasthelineup.Wewerecountedtoseewhetherwewereallthere.Thatusuallytookawhile.Andthenwe

countedtoseewhetherwewereallthere.Thatusuallytookawhile.Andthenwewenttoworkatsix–eithersixorseveno’clock,dependingonthetimeoftheyear.Therewasawaterysoupforlunch,abitofcabbageorturnipinitorsomethingelse,abitofbacon,afewpotatoes.Andwhenwegotbackintheevening,aboutsixo’clock,therewasacheckagaintoseewhethereverythingwasthere–allthetools.Thatalwaystookhours.Thensupperwasgivenout.Everyonegotapieceofbread–thatis,oneloafwasdividedbetweensixpeople.Thathadtodoforthewholeofthenextday.Andthenthereweretengrammesofmargarineandsometimesasliceofsausageorasliceofcheese.Attheend–somethingtodrinkthatwascalledcoffee.

OttoSpehrwouldonedayreturntohishometown,Hamburg.Todosohehadtosurviveinthecampandheknewthatthebesthopeofsurvivallayinkeepingoutoftrouble.

Therewerealotofbeatingsandotherhardtreatment.Forexample,therewasamanwhomovedafewstepsfromhisplaceofwork.Thiswasreportedtothecampcommandantandhegottwentylasheswiththehorsewhipintheevening.Andsoforeverylittlethingtherewasatleasttwenty,maybetwentyfive.TheRussiansalwayssaid‘twenty-fiveholies.’Therewerebeatingseveryday.

TheSSpeoplewereverybrutal.TherewasaRussianrummagingintherubbishheap.HegotsomepotatopeeloutforhimselfandwasseendoingthisbytheSS.Hewashitwiththebuttofarifle.Theysmashedinthewholeofhisskull.Afterwardstheycalledit‘accident.Skullfractureduetoaccident.’

Therewerealotofhangings.Theyweren’thangedofficially.Theycommittedsuicide–intherecords.Butinrealityitwasmadesurethattheotherprisonersdidthehanging–forwhichtheygotareward.Alotdiedofmalnutrition.Thebodygotveryweak.Aboutthirtymenwereshotbecausetheyallhadtuberculosis.Andtheyjustcalledit‘shotwhileescaping.’Thecampfencewascutandtheyhadtogooutthroughaholeinthewire.Outsidetheywereshot.Shotwhileescaping.

Therewereallkindsofpeopleinthecamp–allnations.Russians,Poles,Czechs.Theywerethemaincontingent.ThentherewereFrenchmen,Norwegians...peopleweretherefromalltheoccupiedcountries.Andalloccupations,too–doctororengineertotheordinaryworker.Therewereathousandofuswhenwecame.Andwhenwelefttherewereonlyaboutsixhundredandfifty–Ican’tsaytheexactnumber.

ToAlderney–butnottotheconcentrationcamp–cameMajorPaulMarkertwiththreehundredandsixtymen.ItwasintheearlydaysoftheOccupationandhistaskwastoorganisedefenceand,clearly,asanArmymanhehadnothingtodowiththeSS.TheChannelIslandsseemedsomethingofanoveltytohim.

Wewereverysurprisedthatwewerepushedsofarwestbutcommandiscommandandwefollowedorders.WhenwelandedinAlderneywefoundalotofdestroyedcars,emptyhousesand,atfirstsight,nopeople.AbouteightdayslaterasocalledMr.Oseltonturnedup.HewasstayinginAlderneybecausehedidnotwanttoleavehiscows.Atthattimehewasaboutfiftyyearsold–anhonest,uprightman,averyrespectableman.Heseemedtobealittlesadbecausehehadnocigarettes.Ontheotherhand,wehadenoughandwhyshouldn’twehavegivenhimany?Sometimeshereturnedourfavourbygivingussomebutterorfreshmilk,andaboveall,hetookmeoutfishing-forlobstersandgeneralfishing.Heknewthecoastverywell.

Lifetherewasveryboringforthemen.ButItooksomeprecautionsagainstthisand,asIhadseveraluniversitygraduatesamongthem,Iformedsomestudygroups.Forexample,somewerestudyingthescienceofindustrialmanagementorengineeringwhileotherswerekeptbusywithmedicalstudiesandproblems.AndthenIhadalandscapegardenerwhostarteddesigningandlayingoutgardens.

Onedayhecametomeandsaid:“Therearetheseoldcasemates.Theyarealwaysdampandtendtokeepthesametemperature–idealforgrowingmushrooms.”Isaid:“Wheredoyouwanttogetthemushroomsfrom?”“SendmehomeonleaveandI’llbringbackenoughspores,”hesaid.AndsoIdid.Wesowedthemushrooms,addedsomehorsemanureandlateronwehadenoughmushroomstofeedallofourthreehundredandsixtymenonceaweek.Thesejobspleasedthemenandstoppedthemfrombeingbored.Accordingtomyexperience,ifpeoplehavenothingtodotheyeasilyfallintodoingsomethingstupid.

PaulMarkertreceivedorderstogotoJerseywherehewastotakechargeoftwohundredrecruits.HefoundJerseymorecheerfulthanAlderney.Therewerecinemas,cabaretsanddances.Thepeopletherewereapproachablealthoughalittlereserved,hethought.

Therewas–howcanIexplain–notreallyahostileatmosphere.Wesortofrespectedeachother.Wetoleratedeachotherandthesituationwewerein.

respectedeachother.Wetoleratedeachotherandthesituationwewerein.Therewasawaron.Whatcouldwedo?Theydidn’twantit,wedidn’twantit.Wedon’treallywanttotalkaboutwhowantedit,dowe?IhavetosaythatinJerseytherewasarelativelygoodunderstanding.IrememberoncewhenIwasdrivingfrommyregimentdowntoSt.Helier-itwasratherasteeproad.Ontherighthandsidethereweresomehouses.Allofasuddenayoungchilddashedoutintotheroad.TheonlythingIcoulddowastopullmycararoundandagainstthekerbstoneinordertoavoidthelittleboy.Thecarwassmashed-theshaftbroken-butthankGodthechildescapedunhurt.Themotherhadseentheaccidentfromawindow.Shecameout,whiteasasheetandtremblinglikealeaf.Shethankedmeagainandagain.Isaiditwasallright–justmyduty.Onecanreplaceacarbuthitachild,no.Hemighthavebeenkilled.

Later,everytimeIdrovepastthehouse,theyrecognisedthenewcarandtheywavedinafriendlyway.Peoplearelikethat.Onehastobehuman,doesn’tone?

MajorPaulMarkertdidnotseemtoknowmuchabouttheslavecampsinJerseybuthedidrecalltheprisonersinAlderney.

IonlyknewtheywerevoluntarylabourersfromtheEast–Ukranians.SometimelaterIsawthattheywereexistingunderthemostmiserableconditions.Reallyyoucouldn’tcallthatliving.Andtherewasaguard–anegro–whobeatthemupmercilessly.IthenhadtheleaderofthecamporderedtomeandItoldhimthatifthisshouldeverhappenagainIwouldshootthenegroonthespot–andheshouldknowthatandactaccordingly.SothatwasstoppedasfarasIknowbutmanyofthelabourersdiedthroughmalnutrition,weaknessandexhaustion.LateritwasdiscoveredthatmuchoftheirfoodwastakenawayandsentbacktoGermany.Therewasaninquiryandthoseresponsiblewereremoved.ButIdon’tknowwhathappenedtothem.Really,Ihaven’tbeeninthecampatall.Ionlywatchedandsawthattheywereterriblybeatenup.Ididnotagreewiththis.Itooknopartinit.AsfarasAlderneywasconcerned,Ididknowthattherewasthisconcentrationcampbutwedidn’twanttohaveanythingtodowiththat.

WhatcomesoutinthesepersonalreminiscencesisthedifferencebetweenthefantasiesinHitler’sdreamsofconquestandtheoutlookoftheaverageGermanintheforces.Oneoftheex-soldierswentsofarastosay:‘Iamapacifist.IamagoodCatholicandalwayshavealoveformyfellowmen.’AndyethewaspartofthemilitarymachinewhichdominatedtheChannelIslandsbetween1940and1945.

1945.

Chapter18ArgumentsandConclusions

I

nthemiddleyearsoftheOccupationGermanofficersandotherrankshadtodealwiththeboredomwhichgoeswithaprolongedperiodofinaction.SomeusedthetimetoimprovetheirknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguage.Othersattendedclassesonusefulsubjectsandtherewasoneinstanceofanofficerstudyinglocalwildflowersandplants.

Soldiershad,ofcourse,militaryduties–parades,drillsandthecleaningofweapons.ButoffdutyhoursallowedtimeforthepursuitofyoungwomensomeofwhomfoundtheGermansanirresistibletemptation.Oughttheytohavehadsuchcloseencounterswiththeenemy?‘“Whynot?”oneGermanisonrecordassaying.“Afterall,wewerenotcannibals.”Astimewentbyanumberofhealthybutillegitimatebabieswereborn.InGuernseythosewhichcouldbeascribedtotheGermanstotalled285fortheOccupationperiod,ahundredmorethanasimilarmaternitycountinJersey.

Onevenuewhereitwaseasyforsoldierstoapproachlocalgirlswasthebeach.TheGermanslikedtogoswimmingandoneofthemsaidthatthebeachwasidealforbreakingdownbarriersbetweentheArmyandtheIslanders.“Witheveryoneinbathingcostumes,wewereallthesame.”

Garrisontalkabouttheprogressofthewarfilledinpartoftheoff-dutytime,althoughopinionswerenotatfirsttoorashlyexpressedforfearofreportsbytheFieldPolice.OnesoldierlatersaidthathebegantohavedoubtsaboutanultimatevictorywhenHitlersenttheGermanArmytoRussia.Awarontwofrontsmust,hethought,endindisaster.TheinvasionofNormandybytheAllieswasanothermomentwhenmanyrealisedthatGermanywouldsufferdefeatsoonerorlater.RommelhimselfsaidthatiftheAlliescouldholdtheirbridgeheadinNormandyfortwentyfourhourstheGermanfrontinFrancewouldlastnomorethanafewmonths.Then,inJuly,1944,thebombinthesuitcasewhichnearlykilledHitlersignalledthattheendwasinsight.Indicationssuchastheseshowedagradualdeteriorationinthemoraleofthetroops.

Lifeinallitsvariouspermutationsunfoldedinthemiddleyearsandsometimes

LifeinallitsvariouspermutationsunfoldedinthemiddleyearsandsometimesprovidedtheGermanswithunusualwartimeexperiences.HansGlauber,aNavypettyofficer,wasinchargeofagroupofsailorsinSarkwhereheandthisteamwereerectingabatteryofnavalguns.SarkwasalwaysdifferentfromtheothercommunitiesinGuernseyandJerseyanditcontinuedtobeexceptionalthroughalltheyearsoftheOccupation.Initssmallareaof2.1squaremilesapopulationof471sustaineditselfbyfarmingandfishing.HansGlauberrememberedthetimewhenheandhisgroupofsailorsfirstarrived:

Ourfirstimpressionwasthatthiswastheendoftheworld.Wehadn’teverseenawildernesslikeSark.Wewerewonderingwhatwehadletourselvesinfor.OurofficialcontactwaswiththeDameofSark,averysevereperson,notatalllikesomebodywhoshouldhavebeeninchargeoftheisland.WehadalwaysunderstoodthatanywhereconnectedwithEnglandwasdemocracy.Then,tocomehereandfindalmostadictatorship–thatwasquiteasurprise.Herwordwasabsolutelaw.Evenus–wehadtodomoreorlesswhatshewanted.

Wehadvariousarrangementswithher.Ifwecutdowntimberandchoppeditupforfirewoodshegaveussomeofit.ShecouldspeakGermanandoneortwopeopleintheIslandcouldalsospeakabit.TheywerealreadyusedtotheOccupationwhenwearrived.

ThecrisisperiodcameinthelastninemonthsofthewarwhenSark,liketheotherIslands,wasshortoffood.PettyOfficerGlaubersaidthatrationsweredowntothebarestminimumandhadtobesupplementedwithwhateverhismencouldfind.Inthoseninemonthshelost47kilosinweight(aboutsevenandahalfstones).

Unlessyou’vebeenreallyhungry,youcannotknowwhatit’slike.Yourwholebeingthinksofnothingbutwhereyoucangetsomethingtoeat.Westartedonrabbitsbutsoonwewereeatingcatsanddogs.Ievenshottwoseagullsandthereisasuperstitionthatinaseagullthereisthesoulofadeadsailor.That’showdesperatewewere.

Onedaywecaughtacat.Firstwecuttheheadoffandskinnedit.Thenweprepareditinatwogallonzincbucket.Wehadtoboilitforabouttwohoursinordertogetridofthebugswhichcatshave.Weaddedsomenettles,afewpotatoesandsomeparsnipsandmadeasortofstew.Thenitwasputonabeautifulwhitetable-clothwiththeproperknivesandforks.Itwasarealfeast.Therewasoneofuswhohadalwayssaidhewouldnevereatacatordog,althoughhewouldeatarabbit.Afterwe’dfinishedIsaidtohim–‘howdidyou

althoughhewouldeatarabbit.Afterwe’dfinishedIsaidtohim–‘howdidyoulikeyourrabbit?’‘Wonderful,’hesaid.ThenItoldhim–you’vejusteatenanicebigtom-cat.Hewouldn’tbelieveit.‘Comeoffit,’hesaidinhisGermanway.Thenweshowedhimtheskin.Whenhesawithewentoutsideandbroughtitallbackagain.Eatingcatswascruelbutthat’sthesortofthingyouhadtodoifyouweregoingtostayalive.

Earlierin1944,beforetheAlliedinvasionofNormandy,foodsupplieswerestilladequate.ItwasatthattimethatLieutenantHansJurgenKillmanndisembarkedinJersey.HeremembershisfirstmonthsintheislandbecauseofhismeetingwithGretchen,thewomanwhoquitesoonwastobehiswife.ShewasanurseintheSoldatenheimattheMayfairHotelinStHelier.HergroupofnurseshadcomeovertogetherandshecouldremembertheirfirstimpressionsofJersey.

Wewereenraptured–theflowers,thedaffodilfieldsandallthepinetreesandtheclimate–ithadalwaysbeenourdreamtocometotheChannelIslands.Therewereaboutsixoreightofusandonesupervisorinthesoldiers’recreationhome.Eachnursehadherownareawhichshewasresponsiblefor.Wehadreadingrooms,gamesroomsandwehadalargevisitors’roomforsocialeveningsandbirthdaycelebrations.

ManysoldierscametotheSoldatenheimjustinordertotalktousandtellustheirworries.Wealwayslistenedandtriedtohelp.Thesupervisormadesurewebehavedproperly.Ourworkwassubjecttoverystrictmorallawsbutitwasalsopossibleforasoldiertofallinlovewithanurse–andviceversa.Youcanseethebestexampleofthatinmeandmyhusband.Butthathadtobekeptasecret.Otherwiseonepartnerwaspostedtoanotherisland.

Herhusband,HansJugenKillmann,hadanadditionalreasonforthinkinghewasluckytohavelandedinJersey.

IhadsomeknowledgeofEnglishfromschoolandwehadaninstructorwhohadstudiedatOxford.HefamiliarisedusthoroughlywiththeEnglishsituation.IknewthereforethatIwascomingtoapeoplewhoaresomehowrelatedtousNorthGermans.ItiswellknownthattheAnglesandSaxonswentovertoEnglandintheyear450.AndsowecouldassumethatthewayoftheEnglishwasrelatedandsimilartoours.Thisiswhywecouldonlybepleasedaboutcomingtothisfront.Wealsoknewthatwewouldbetreatedcorrectly,evenasprisoners-whichwasnotthecaseonalltheotherfronts.

InthemiddleyearsoftheOccupationGermanjudgesarrivedintheIslandsto

InthemiddleyearsoftheOccupationGermanjudgesarrivedintheIslandstopresideovercourtswhichwereinadditiontotheRoyalCourtsoftheBailiffsandJuratsofthetwobailiwicksoftheChannelIslands.ToJerseycameJudgeHeinzHarmsenwho,asitturnedout,provedtohavealiberalpointofviewwhichevidentlystemmedfromanerabeforeHitler.

OnoneoccasionjudgeHarmsenhadtoexaminethecaseoftwoboyswhohadstolendynamitefromanengineer’sstoreofexplosives.Theboyshadbeensearchingfordetonatorswhentheywerearrested.JudgeHarmsenexplainedwhathappened:

ItwastheirintentiontoblowuptheStatesbuildingasaprotestagainstthesupposedcollaborationoftheIslandauthorities.ForthistheboyshadtobepunishedundertheYoungPersonsAct.Butitwasaverydifficultcase.Inmyopinionthepenaltyforwhattheyhaddonewasdeath.Butwejustcouldn’tgivethatsentence.Itwasoutofthequestion.Thenwethoughtofthefollowingwayout.

InGermanywehadtheJuvenileCourtAct–andthatiswhatweappliedinthiscase.Ithadtobeprovedthattheyhadthenecessaryunderstandingattheirageofwhattheywantedtodo.Iruledthattheyweretoostupidforthat.Sotheywerepunishedonlyonthecountoftheft.

AndthenIthoughttomyself–Idon’twantthemtogoinwiththeadultswehadinprison.WhatcouldIdowiththem?IrangSirAubin(CharlesDuretAubin,Jersey’sAttorneyGeneral).Andwecametoanunderstanding.Hesaid:“Iknowafarmerinthenorthoftheislandandhehassometimesgivenastrictroutinetoboyslikethat.Isuggestthattheyaretakentohimandbroughtupbyhardwork.”Iagreedandthematterwassettled.

ThatwastheonlycaseofsabotagewhichIexperiencedasajudgeintheisland.Imustmentionanothercase–notsabotagebutseriousanti-stateactivities.Thereweretwosisters,Frenchwomenbybirth,livinginahouseinSt.Brelade’sBay.TheywereinterestedinartanditwasinthathousethatIfirstsawpaintingsbyMaxErnst.OneofthemcouldspeakGerman.Theothercouldn’t.TheywerearrestedonedaybecauseitwasdiscoveredthattheyhadbeentypingmessagesoncigarettepapersandgivingthemtoGermantroops.Themessagessaid–Killyourofficers.Putsandinyourengines.Yourwarislost.Theywereincitingthetroopstounderminetheloyaltyofthearmedforcesandforthisthepenaltywasdeath.

Wehadabighearingbeforethecourtandofcoursethedeathsentencewasgiven.Butineverydeathsentenceeachofthejudgesmustcommentinasealedenvelopeonthequestionofmercy.Isaidtothedefendingcounsel–aGermanofficerwhowasalawyer–thatheshouldfileapetitionofmercy.Andhesaid-why?Itisrightthattheyarebeingsentencedtodeath.Isaid–ofcourseyoumustfileapetition.Iherebygiveyouanofficialordertofileapetitionformercy.

TheBailiffalsofiledapetition.InithemaintainedthatforahundredyearsnomanhadbeenexecutedintheIsland,andfortimeimmemorialnowoman.AndsofileswerepackedupandaplanecamefromGermanyandtookthemaway.IhopedIwouldneverseethemagain.Thewarwouldsoonbeoveranyway.Justimagine:thefilescameback.IputthemonthetableandwalkedseveraltimesroundbeforeIdaredopenthem.Ifoundwithgreatreliefthattheyhadbeenpardonedandgiventenyear’spenalservitude-thatwouldbeintheislandbecausewewereisolatedaftertheBritishandAmericanswentintoNormandy.

JudgeHarmsenwasanaccomplishedamateurmusicianandinhissparetimehejoinedothermusicalofficerstoplayquartets,oftengoingtoahousewheretheacousticswereparticularlygood.Theirhostseemedpleasedtoletthemusetheroomandthis,theJudgethought,wasanexampleofafriendlyattitudewhichneverthelessdidnotgobeyondwhatwascorrectbehaviourinthecircumstances.

KarlHeinzKassens,anofficerintheGermanNavy,said,“YoufoundfriendlinessineverywayfromtheinhabitantsofGuernsey.ButwhenwelatercametoJerseyitwasnotthesame.TherewasadifferenceinthementalityofthetwoIslands.”

WilhelmReiff,anNCOinanartilleryregiment,saidthatwhenhefirstarrivedinJerseyhefoundthepeopleratherreserved.“Theywereverysuspiciousofus,”hesaid.“Wegottheideathattheyweresaying–theregotheGermans.Theyarebad.Theyarevile.Butafterwardstheysawthattherewasacertainhumanrelationshipbetweenus.”

AttimesitwasdifficultforIslanderstomaintainanaloofattitude.ChristianSchmidt,aprivatestationedinacountryparishinJersey,rememberedafarmeraskinghimifhecouldbringsomesoldierstohelpliftupasickcow.AfterthatSchmidtwasalwayswelcomeatthefarmhouseandofferedciderfromthefarmer’sprivatestore.

QuiteanumberofGermansintheIslandsseemedrelievedwhenthenewscamethroughthatHitlerwasdead.Onesaid“Goodriddance.”Anothersaidthatheknewthiswastheendandthatthewarwaslost.Mostofthemweresurethattheywouldbegoingtoprisonerofwarcamps.Afewhopedtheywouldbeabletogohome.OnesaidthathethoughttheywouldhavetomarchfromSt.MaloallthewaytoGermany.

WhentheyrealisedthattheiroccupationoftheChannelIslandswouldsoonceaseonememberoftheforceswasinaspecialpositiontounderstandtheoverallsituation.HewastheChiefNavalTelecommunicationsOfficer,WilliHagedorn.

“Atleastafortnightbeforethecapitulationwewerejammedontheradiobynight.ItwasthisbigBritishstationontheIsleofWight.FinallywegotaconnectionwiththemandIhadorderstoarrangeameetingpointbetweentheGermanandBritishforces.AfterthecapitulationwecarriedonourwirelessservicefortheBritish.”

WilliHagedornrememberedvariouscontactswithIslandersandmentionedthatheknewofcertainpeoplewhohadradiosetshiddenintheirhouses.Buthedidnotreportthemtothepolice.Mostofthepeopleheknewseemedreasonableandfairtohimandhetreatedtheminthesameway.

“Wehadtwohousekeepersinourofficers’mess,theyweretwoGuernseywomen.WhentheBritishliberationforcewasonitswaytotheIslands,Itoldthemtheyhadbetterstayawayfromusfortheirownsakes.Andtheysaid–no,yougaveusfoodwhenweneededit.Weshallcarryonuntiltheliberationishere.”

WilliHagedornwasanotheroftheGermanswhowasgladtohearthenewsofHitler’sdeath“Wewereelatedbyit.Wethought–nowitmustbeoverinafewdays.Butinfactthewarwentonforthreemoreweeks.ThenwewereallcollectedandmarcheddowntothebeachtogetaboardtheAmericanlibertyboatsandthenontothebigtroopshipsforEngland.LikethousandsofothersintheIslandshewasdestinedforaprisonerofwarcamp.“Imustsay,”saidWilliHagedorn,“thatduringthosedaystheciviliansbehavedinadeeplyBritishway.Theywereveryfair.IthinkitwastheBritishmentality

–theBritishcharacter.Theydon’ttakethingstooseriously.Theycopewiththeactualsituationasitcomes.”AsimilarcommentontheBritishcamefromaGermannavalofficerwhowasinabatchofprisonerstakenaboardoneoftheRoyalNavyships.“TheofficersoftheBritishNavy,”hesaid,“weremarkedlypolite.Attheirhead,thecaptaintreateduswithexquisitecourtesyandhisofficersletusknowthattheyregrettedseeingusinthissituation.”Germanattitudeswerenotalwaysthesamebecausetemperamentsvariedinthedifferentregions.Itisacountrynotofonepeoplebutofmany.TherewerethePrussians,aristocraticandmilitaryminded,theNorthGermans,stubbornandhardworking,theRhinelanders,easygoingandpleasurelovingandtheBavarians,goodhumouredandconvivial.Nevertheless,intheirtimesofnationalcrisistheyjoinedinsupportingaGermanpointofviewontheworldaroundthem,asexpressedintheirwordWeltanschauungwhichincludedabeliefinthesuperiorstatusofGermanyoverthecomityofnationsandamilitantwilltopower.ThreetimesinlessthanacenturytheGermanshavemadewarontheirEuropeanneighbours,ruiningthestableconditionsofnearlyadozensovereignnations-in1870,in1914andagainin1939.Bismarck’sdreamofaGermanhegemonystartedanexpansionbeyondregionalbordersandcarriedoverintotheambitionsofKaiserWilhelmandthemenof1914.Politiciansandsoldiersatthetimejoinedinthepatrioticanthem.‘DeutschlandUberAlles’–IbelieveaboveallinGermany.Withthedeclarationofwarin1914theBritishForeignSecretary,SirEdwardGrey,utteredhispropheticwords:“ThelampsaregoingoutalloverEurope.Weshallnotseethemlitagaininourlifetime.”ThechaosinsideGermanyfollowingthecollapseof1918ledtotheriseofHitlerandthetake-overofallGermaninstitutionsbytheNaziParty.Theill-conceivedVersaillesTreatyof1919haddestroyedtheAustro-HungarianEmpireandleftavastareaofcentralEuroperipeforconquestbyaresurrectedGermanArmy.Itwasavacuumwaitingtobefilled.HitlerfirstimposedhisregimeonCzechoslovakiaandAustriabyinternalsubversionbutthenhewasready,in1939,toinvadePoland.Theeraoftheblitzkrieghadbegun.OrdinaryGermans,hypnotisedalloveragainbypromisesofagloriousfuture,beganthewarbelievinginthecauseofGreaterGermanyandenjoyingthefirsteasyvictories.ButonthebattlefieldsofRussiaandinthewesttheylosttheirinnocence.Thosewholatersawwhathadhappenedwereovercomebyasortofgrief.WernerGrosskopf,onetimeNCOstationedinJersey,rememberedthenewscomingthroughoftheNormandyinvasionandlaterofthebattleswhich

followed.“Itwasterribleforme-andallthesoldiersaroundme-toseehowourboysandtheAmericanboysandyourboyswerekilledonthisdevilishinvasionfrontinNormandyandinBelgiumandGermany.”AnechoofthissentimentemergedafterthewarinaGermansongwhicheveryoneheardontheradioatthetime–SagmirwodieBlumensind.Thewordsexpressedanostalgiaandheartachefortheyearsofsacrifice.“Wherehavealltheflowersgone?Longlongagothegirlsgavethemtotheiryoungmen.Andwherehavealltheyoungmengone?Gonetobesoldiers,everyone.Sotellmewheretheflowersare.SagmirwodieBlumensind.Theyaregrowingonthesoldiers’graves.”Itwasthelamentofageneration.InthenineteenfortiesthoseGermanswhocametotheChannelIslands,stayingforawhile,werethussparedthemassacresofthecontinentalwarfronts.TheirtestimoniesandobservationsondaytodaylivingshowhowitfelttobestationedamongapeoplewhoseliveshadbeenoverwhelmedbytheupheavalsoftheSecondWorldWar.FeweventscouldhaveseemedmoreshockinganddisastrousthanthesuddenappearanceoftheGermansinJersey,GuernseyandSark.Andyetbytheendofthewarsomethinghadchanged.Asidefromtheangerandfearofthoseinthedeportationsorinthecustodyofthepolice,amutualunderstanding,onlyhalfrealised,begantoreducethedifferencesbetweensoldierandcivilian.Itshoweditselfinsmallways.AtthetimeoftheLiberationsomeJerseypeoplecametosaygoodbyetoaGermanofficer.Theysaidwithsomeembarrassment:“YoumustunderstandthatwearegladtohavetheTommiesbackhere.”Andherepliedashewasledawaytocaptivity,“that’sallright.”LookingbackontheWarandtheOccupationaquestioncomesupagainandagain.HowwasitpossiblethatsomanypeoplecouldbepressedintoservicetomakewaragainstthecountriesofEurope.IstheresomethinginthehistoryoftheGermansgoingbacktoAttillatheHunwhichaccountsfortheirambitions?SomecommentatorshavenotedthattheRomanEmpirestoppedattheRhineandconsequentlyitscivilisinginfluencedidnotreachtheterritoriesofthebarbarians.AmorelikelyexplanationisthattheGermans,liketheDutch,theFrenchandtheBritish,wereintheforefrontofEurope’sindustrialandcommercialexpansionofthenineteenthandtwentiethcenturies.Rivalryinthesearchforrawmaterials,marketsandspheresofinfluencepoweredarelentlessdrivetoachievedominionandwealthandtheGermansdidnothaveabalancedpoliticalsystemtocontainit.Thegreatmajorityofpeoplehadtofollowtheleadofwhoevergainedcontrolofthecentralgovernment.Thosewhosawwhatwas

happeningandobjectedsoondisappearedintoprisonsandconcentrationcamps.ThattheenigmaofGermanyliesinpressuresfrominternationalpoliticsiswhatmanypeoplebelievetobethereasonfortheeruptionsofthepastwhichculminatedinthetwoworldwars.Historicalinfluencescontinuouslyshiftovertheyearsfromonenationalmovementtoanotheruntilsuddenlycircumstancesarisewhen,liketheopeningofastrongroomdoorbyturningacodesequenceinthelock,thecountersclickintoplaceandwarisinevitable.Theeffectonpeoplelivingintheareasofconflictleavesthemwiththeimperativeofmeetingthechallengeinonewayoranotherandofseekinganewadjustmenttothesituation.WhenmenandwomenintheChannelIslandsthinkbacktotheoccupationtheirmemorieslingerfirstontheoutwardformsimposedbytheGermanMilitaryGovernmentwithallitsregulations,inconveniencesand,inthecaseofthepolice,itsbrutality.Theyalsorememberexceptionsinthesystem,asshownbyindividualmembersofthearmedforceswhomtheyencounteredinthecourseofeverydaylife.ThoseGermanswhoreturnedastouristsinlateryearsfoundthat,onthewhole,theIslandersacceptedthemasbeingthesameasanyothergroupofvisitors.ButpeoplewhoserelativesorfriendshaddiedintheprisonsorconcentrationcampsoftheNaziregimecouldnotbringthemselvestoforgive.Forthemonlyalifetimecouldhealtheirbitterness.Anothergenerationwouldhavetocomeandgobeforememoriescouldbedimmedandthepastforgotten.Experiencesvaried,somemoreintense,otherslessso.TheOccupationwaslikeanimmensepageantandpeopleplayeddifferentpartsinthedrama.WiththepresentmovementtowardsaunionofEuropeannationsitseemsunlikelythatthedifferencesbetweenthosewhoenduredtheOccupationandtheGermanswhofoundthemselvesintheIslandsasOccupierswilleveragainbesosharplycontrastednorisitconceivablethattheChannelIslandswillsufferinvasionbyanyotherforeignarmy.TheageoldfearoftheFrenchandlatterlyoftheGermanswhichhashauntedthemindsofJerseymenandGuernseymenforcenturiesmustatlastfadeawayinthenewalignmentsoftheEuropeofthefuture.

AbouttheauthorRoyMcLoughlin’sworkinLondonbeganwithreviewingnovelsandplaysforthestoryDepartmentofTwentiethCenturyFoxFilms.HemovedtotheBBCasaradioannouncerandlaterproducednoveltyentertainment,meanwhilecontributingfeaturestotheDailyExpressandtheAlliedNewspapersGroup.

Inthisbook,hesetsthepersonalexperienceofChannelIslandersagainstabackgroundoftheGermanoccupationoftheislandsduringWorldWarTwo.His

otherpublishedworkincludes:TheSeaWasTheirFortune:AMaritimeHistoryoftheChannelIslands&StewardsoftheMediaAHistoryoftheMediainJersey.

Otherproductsrelatedtothisbook:In2003thisbookwasrevisedandtranslatedintoGermanandpublishedinBerlinbyCh.LinksVerlagunderthetitleBritischeInselnuntermHakenkreuz.In2004thescreenrightsforLivingwiththeEnemyweresoldtoGreenEyeProductionswiththeintentionofproducingafull-lengthfeaturefilm.In2005a78-minutedocumentarywasproducedunderthesamename.

Visitthewebsitewww.livingwiththeenemy.comBlBLIOGRAPHYPUBLICATIONS

TheGermanOccupationoftheChannelIslands–OfficialHistory:CharlesCruikshank,OxfordUniversityPress,1975.MemoirsofLordCoutanche:CompiledbyTomPocock,Phillimore,1975.GermanArmourintheChannelIslands:ChannelsIslandsOccupationSociety.

JerseyUndertheJackboot:R.C.F.Maugham,W.H.Allen,1946.OneMan’sWar:FrankStroobant,Burbridge,Guernsey,1967.TheGermanOccupationofJersey:LeslieSinel,LaHauleBooks,1985.Chronicleofthe20thCentury:EditedbyDerickMercer,Longmans,1988.SecondWorldWar:MartinGilbert,Weidenfeld&Nicholson,1989.IslandsinDanger:AlanandMarySetonWood,EvansBrothers,1955.GermanFortificationsinJersey:MichaelGinnsandPeterBryans,Meadowbank,Jersey,ChannelIslandsOccupationReview:EditedbyMatthewCostard,ChannelIslandsOccupationSociety.Hitler’sFortressIslands:CarelToms,Hodder&Stoughton,1978.ChannelIslandsOccupied:RichardMayne,Jarrold,1985.ADoctor’sOccupation:JohnLewis,CorgiBooks,1982.TheSilentWar:FrankFalla,Frewin,1967.JerseyOccupationRemembered:SoniaHillsdon,Jarrold,1986.JerseyundertheSwastika:RalphMollet,HyperionPress,1945.SwastikaoverGuernsey:VictorCoysh,GuemseyPress,1974.TheDameofSark:SybilHathaway,Heinemann,1961.ThevonAufsessOccupationDiary:BaronvonAufsess,Phillimore,1985.

OTHERSOURCES

ImperialWarMuseumArchives.LibraryofImpactVideoProductions.PriaulxLibrary,Guernsey.LibraryofChannelTelevision.JerseyArchivesService.Bundesarchiv,Freiberg,Germany.

INDEXAlderney19,64,65,202Aufsess,Baronvon156,170,180,181,182,183,184,185,186

Baker,PhyllisBaldwin,Stanley122Baldwin,Stanley150BBC

(news)63,76,105,197(crystalset)77(Sherwill)169

Bertram,Billandfamily111Bismarck125Board,Louise100BourdedelaRogerieAppendixBritishCivilAirGuard151Brown,Frederick163Bullen,Roy71,72Burgomaster,Max171Crill,Peter110

DameofSark19,26,67,120Darling,DrAverell23,104Darling,Marcella103,104Darlan,Admiral98Dawson,Geoffrey150DeGruchy’sfire106Donitz,Admiral119Dorey,JuratEdgar153Ducket,Miss122DukeofCornwall’sLightInfantry

30Dunkirk16Duquemin,Cyril78,79

Duquemin,Cyril78,79

Eisenhower,General108Enticott,Bill114Evacuation153

Carey,Victor25,113Carter,Howard82Chamberlain,Neville15,150ChannelIslandsPurchasing

Commission64ChannelTelevision197,199Charybdis171Churchill,Winston26,34,35,117,150,

152,169,181Cohu,Canon105Coley,Yvette23CollinsofLeRiche29Commandos30,31CompanyofTownPilots17ControllingCommittee16Coutanche,Alexander16,25,26,60,

62,67,68,113,118,154,157,158,168,169,170,180,184

Falla,Frank78,105,124Falla,Raymond61,105,113,161Feldkommandantur

(seeKommandantur)Ferbrache,Stanley33FieldPolice(seealsoGeheime

Feldpolizei)189Floyd,John110FortRegent17,25Frampton,Peter105,108French,Judge19FrontPopulaire149GeheimeFeldpolizei70,71,78,158,

160GeorgeVI,King21,63Gestapo60,61Gillingham,Joseph78,79

Index

GingerLou104,121Ginns,Michael85,86Glauber,Hans209

Goebbels,DrJoseph14Gould,Louisa81,121Grey,SirEdward215Grosskopf,Werner201,215GuernseyEveningPress122GuernseyStar78GuillesAllésLibrary69G.U.N.S.newssheet78,200Gussek,Captain61

Hagedorn,Willi214HagueConvention67,170Halifax,Lord150Halliwell,Arthur80HampshireRegiment28,30Harmsen,JudgeHeinz211Harrison,Arthur63,125Hathaway,Sybil19,26,68,120,122LeGallais,Donald77,102,164Hathaway,Robert122LeGallais,Ada164,165Heinkelbombers22,23,24Lindau,AdrniralEugen21Heine,Major-General120Luftwaffe25Heldorf,Colonelvon182Hills,Doreen76Machon,Charles78,105,124,199Hitler14,66,72,83,117,149,159,Markbreiter,Charles23

173,175,180Markert,Paul204Huelin,Les83,115Martell,Philip30,32Huffmeier,vice-AdmiralFriederichMartell,Rosemary101

116,117,119,166,183,184Maxwell,SirAlexander171

Metcalf,Mrs83JerseyFarmers’Co-opeative23,24Mière,Joe79,80,112JerseyEveningPost63McKinstry,DrNoel80Jouault,Jean64,161MinistryofFood17

MinistryofHomeSecurity17Kassens,KarlHeinz213Mirusbattery75Keen,Eileen69Montgomery,General98Kegelmarm,Hans198Killmann,Gretchen210Killmann,HansJurgen210Kluge,Oberbefelshabervon180Knackfuss,Colonel84,85KriegsmarineH.Q.21Krohim,Mihail83

Larbalestier,Ted76Lamy,Major175Lanyon,Hubert78Lanz,MajorDrAlbrecht25,26,157Leale,John68,109,179Leclerc,General109Legg,Ernest78,79Lewis,DrJohn75,80,104,109,162LeBreton,Jack81LeBreton,Phyllis81,82LeBrocq,Norman83,115LeDruillenec,Harold82Mourant,Roy110Mulbach,Paul114,115,116Mulholland,Desmond30,32

Nicolle,Hubert28,33,34,35Norman’sstore23Nowlan,KathleenAppendixNoyen,Fred114

OberkommandoWehrmacht175Oettigen,Princevon67Oselton,Frank64,65,123,204

Page,Miss122Painter,Peter106

Painter,Peter106Parker,John34Paulus,Generalvon98Pope,George64,65,123Portsea,Lord27PriaulxLibraryAppendixSchmettow,Grafvon62,115,182,184,186Schuster,AdmiralKarlgeorg21,22,24SeigneurofSark20Seigneurie,Sark68Seymour,Jennie80,114Sherwill,Ambrose23,25,26,32,33,34,35,67,125,154,158,159,168,170Simon,SirJohn150Sinel,Leslie18,60,74,78,108,116,165Snow,BrigadierA.E.119,120Soldatenheim210Spangenberg,Kurt200Spehr,Otto203Speidel,General173Stroobant,Frank18,19,22,164Symes,James33,34,35

Rang,Werner122Read,Brian116Reiff,Wilhelm213Rey,Father77Rommel98,107,175,208Ross,Edward106Ross,Nan106RoyalHotel,Guernsey25RoyalSquare,the25,117

StMalo17StHelierYachtClub16Todt,DrFritz174TodtOrganisation79TreatyofVersailles149,150,215

Vaudin,George64Vega,S.S.115,181Vibert,Dennis111

Wehrmacht66,85,159,173,186WarOffice17WarCabinet21,24Watson,Ernest,Connétable24Williams,Richard72,87,99,112

AbouttheDocumentary‘LivingWithTheEnemy’isthetrueandpersonalstoryoftheOccupationofJersey.

InspiredbyIslanders,thisdefinitivedocumentarygivesaheart-warmingandheart-wrenchinginsightintoIslandlifebetween1940and1945,asseenthroughtheeyesofthepeoplewhoenduredit.

Featuringinterviewswithover20residents,theGreenEyeProductions,directedbyJulieDaly-Wallman–produceroftheaward-winningmovie‘TheCrookedMile’–andproducedinassociationwithTheMarie-AnthoineFilmTrustandTheJerseyTourismDevelopmentFund,istheculminationofthreeyears’extensiveresearch.

ItwasalsoinspiredbythebooksLivingWithTheEnemybyRoyMcLoughlinandSimonWatkins,andPrisonWithoutBarsbyFrankKeiller(SeaflowerBooks).

ToorderoneoftheseortoviewourfullrangeofOccupationtitlespleasevisitthewebsiteortelephoneusforabrochureon(01534)860806www.livingwiththeenemy.com

ADOCTOR’SOCCUPATIONIn1939Dr.JohnLewiswasbuildingupasuccessfulgeneralpracticeinJersey.In1940,astheGermanswerepoisedtoinvadetheChannelIslands,hemanagedtogethispregnantwifesafelyacrosstoEngland.HethenreturnedtoJerseytolookafterhispatients.In1945theGermangarrisonsurrenderedtotheBritish.FiveyearsofOccupationwereatanend.ThisisthestoryofDr.Lewis’sexperiencesduringthoseyears:afirst-handaccountoflife

intheonlyBritishterritorytobecontrolledbyNaziGermanyduringWorldWarII.240pagesPleasesendme………copiesofADoctor’sOccupation@£5.95(£4.95+£1.00P&P)Iencloseacheque/P.O.for……………madeouttoStarlightPublishingNameAddress

StarlightPublishing,Unit3BBaretteCommercialCentreLaRouteduMontMado,StJohn,JerseyJE34DSTel(01534)860806

224VisitourWebsite:www.LIVINGWITHTHEENEMY.com