Occupation Of The Channel Islands

The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles that was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II. In mid June 1940, Britain decided that as the Channel Islands were of no strategic value, they would not be defended. Although Churchill was reluctant to do so, the Channel Islands were abandoned without a shot being fired. It was more than two weeks before the Germans eventually moved in to occupy the islands and by 4th July 1940, they had control of all the islands.

Life under German Rule

Once the Nazis arrived, they quickly moved to fortify the islands bringing in infantry, establishing communications and air defences. The also changed the island’s time zone from GMT and traffic was forced to drive on the right instead of the left.

The Nazis also built 4 concentration camps on Alderney and they went into operation in January 1942 with a combined population of around 6,000. Over 700 inmates had lost their lives by the time the camps were closed in 1944.

There was no real resistance movement in the Channel Islands although there were acts of passive resistance and minor sabotage. In 1942, the Nazi’s announced that all residents not born on the islands along with those who had served as officers in World War I would be deported to Germany.

The Channel Islands were ignored as part of the D-Day Landings in Normandy and consequently from June 1944, they were effectively under siege as German supply routes were cut. Between December 1944 and Liberation in May 1945, the Red Cross ship SS Vega made a number of trips to the islands with supplies.

The islands were finally liberated on 9th May 1945 when the war in Europe ended.

2010 Tours

We are able to offer a number of tours to Jersey throughout 2010. Among the dates are tours to coincide with the 65th Anniversary of Liberation (departing 7th May 2010) and the Battle of Britain air displays (departing 5th September 2010). For more information about these special tours, availability and prices, please call on 0208 816 8789 or send us an enquiry via the “Contact Us” form.