Tag: Guernsey

JULY 1943 – THREE YEARS OF OCCUPATION, HEALTH, RATIONS, ARRESTS AND RESISTANCE

This conversation explores the experiences of the Channel Islands during the German occupation in World War II, focusing on the third anniversary of the occupation, the struggles faced by the local population, health crises, rumours of deportations, social policies, and acts of resistance. Through diary entries and reflections, the speakers discuss the profound impact of the occupation on daily life, health, and social structures, emphasising the importance of remembering and documenting these experiences.

  • The third anniversary of German occupation was marked by reflections on hardship and hope for liberation.
  • Diaries reveal the struggles of daily life under occupation, including food shortages and loss of privacy.
  • Health issues, particularly tuberculosis, were exacerbated by rationing and poor living conditions.
  • Rumors of deportations created anxiety among the local population, despite reassurances from German officials.
  • Social policies, such as family allowances, were debated amidst concerns about post-war recovery.
  • Acts of resistance included stockpiling weapons and subtle forms of defiance against German authority.
  • The Germans implemented strict regulations to suppress social gatherings and dissent.
  • The local population faced harsh penalties for minor infractions, reflecting the oppressive atmosphere of occupation.
  • The impact of the occupation on health and social structures was profound and long-lasting.
  • The conversation highlights the importance of remembering and documenting the experiences of those who lived through the occupation.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the blog post.

I also co-host a podcast with Keith Pengelley in which we talk about the occupation of the Channel Islands month by month using first hand accounts, diaries and our research in the archives. You can find us on all the major podcast services. Just search “Islands at War” or visit our podcast page here.

You can also follow the blog on Twitter at @Fortress_Island where I share other information and photographs. If you prefer Facebook I also have a page there. 

If you would like to receive email notifications of future blogs, you can sign up to the right of this blog post or here. Feel free to look around the website, where I have categorised posts to make them easier to find and other resources such as tours, places to visit and films that may be of interest.

If you have questions or information to share you can contact me by email on Contact@Island-Fortress.Com.

You can also find articles, podcasts, TV appearances and other social media etc here.


I will be adding more as time permits. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please share it on social media or add a comment if you did. Feedback is always appreciated.

Also happy to be contacted with questions about the war in the Channel Islands, media appearances, podcasts etc.

© Nick Le Huray

PODCAST – SPECIAL EPISODE – INTERVIEWS WITH SOME WHO WERE CHILDREN DURING THE OCCUPATION, AN EVACUEE EXPERIENCE AND MORE.

Unfortunately Keith is currently unwell having succumbed to the latest bout of the flu that is doing the rounds.  So instead of the scheduled July 1943 episode we have some interviews for you.  Thank you to Katie Roger for voicing one of the stories which was received as an email. 

In this episode of Islands at War, host Nick Le Huray shares personal stories from individuals who experienced evacuation during World War II, focusing on the unique narratives of Mary Jay, Johnny Thomas Boalch, and Val Le Feurve. The episode highlights the chaos and emotional turmoil of wartime decisions, the kindness shown by individuals during the occupation, and the varying experiences of evacuees. Additionally, the episode discusses upcoming community events related to the history of the Channel Islands, encouraging listener engagement and participation.

  • The episode features personal stories from evacuees during World War II.
  • Mary Jay’s unique evacuation experience highlights the chaos of wartime decisions.
  • John Thomas Boalch shares his memories of kindness from a German soldier during the occupation.
  • Val Le Feuvre recounts her husband’s challenging experiences as an evacuee in Glasgow.
  • The podcast emphasizes the importance of community and shared history in understanding wartime experiences.
  • The stories reflect a mix of adventure and hardship faced by evacuees.
  • The impact of the war on families and communities is a central theme.

Future episodes will continue to explore the history of the Channel Islands during the war so don’t worry July 1943 is coming soon!

Also details of some upcoming events.

You can find the episode here or by clicking our rss feed here.

JUNE 1943 PODCAST -BREAKING INTO SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES, BINOCULARS BUNGLE, UNITED CLUB RAID, CENSORSHIP AND CINEMA!

This episode of ‘Islands at War’ explores the multifaceted impact of WWII on the Channel Islands, focusing on the German occupation’s effects on daily life, community resilience, and cultural shifts. From curfew breakers in Sark to the challenges of food shortages and black market activities, the hosts delve into personal stories and historical insights that illustrate the struggles and adaptations of islanders during this tumultuous period.

The podcast discusses the ongoing impact of WWII on the Channel Islands.
Curfew breakers in Sark highlight the challenges of occupation.
Guernsey’s film arrivals reflect censorship and cultural shifts.
Daily life is heavily influenced by the German occupation.
Young entrepreneurs emerge amidst black market activities.
Raids and surveillance are common in Guernsey.
Luxury shops face scrutiny from German authorities.
Jewellery inspections reveal the Germans’ interest in valuables.
Food shortages create significant hardship for residents.
Crime related to food scarcity becomes prevalent.

Explanation of what the Chief Pleas of Sark is can be found here.

Find out more about Sark and visiting this wonderful Island click here.

We talked about the binoculars causing a raid on the United Club caused by some binoculars! These are believed to be those very binoculars!

The view afforded from the United Club.

Picture below shows quite how close the United Club on the left was to a building full of Germans at the Crown Hotel, now the Ship & Crown.

Below is the minesweeper that we talk about being sunk M483 – Minesweeper

You can catch the podcast here

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the blog post.

I also co-host a podcast with Keith Pengelley in which we talk about the occupation of the Channel Islands month by month using first hand accounts, diaries and our research in the archives. You can find us on all the major podcast services. Just search “Islands at War” or visit our podcast page here.

You can also follow the blog on Twitter at @Fortress_Island where I share other information and photographs. If you prefer Facebook I also have a page there. 

If you would like to receive email notifications of future blogs, you can sign up to the right of this blog post or here. Feel free to look around the website, where I have categorised posts to make them easier to find and other resources such as tours, places to visit and films that may be of interest.

If you have questions or information to share you can contact me by email on Contact@Island-Fortress.Com.

You can also find articles, podcasts, TV appearances and other social media etc here.


I will be adding more as time permits. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please share it on social media or add a comment if you did. Feedback is always appreciated.

Also happy to be contacted with questions about the war in the Channel Islands, media appearances, podcasts etc.

© Nick Le Huray

MAY 1943 – RAF RAIDS, STAND OFF WITH THE GERMANS, DISASTROUS RATIONING CUTS & SHIPPING SUNK! PODCAST EPISODE OUT

In this episode, we explore the complex situation in Guernsey during May 1943, focusing on the rationing cuts imposed by the Germans and the resulting controversies.

The discussion covers the rationale behind these cuts, the impact of RAF bombing on supplies, and the challenges faced by medical professionals and the Controlling Committee.

We also delve into the psychological effects of war on civilians, the differences in rationing between Guernsey and Jersey, and the increased activity of the RAF. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of the Channel Islands amidst ongoing struggles for food and with the Germans.

  • Rationing cuts were announced in May 1943.
  • The Germans justified ration cuts by blaming British bombings.
  • Exemptions for German workers caused public outrage.
  • Medical assessments indicated severe health risks from rationing.
  • The Controlling Committee struggled to communicate effectively with the public.
  • Protests against rationing cuts were largely ignored by the Germans.
  • The RAF intensified air raids around the Channel Islands.
  • Morale was boosted by news of Allied victories.
  • The Guernsey purchasing body faced challenges during an RAF attack.
  • Financial management during occupation was complex and problematic.

Below is one of the ships lost.

You can find the episode here

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the blog post.

I also co-host a podcast with Keith Pengelley in which we talk about the occupation of the Channel Islands month by month using first hand accounts, diaries and our research in the archives. You can find us on all the major podcast services. Just search “Islands at War” or visit our podcast page here.

You can also follow the blog on Twitter at @Fortress_Island where I share other information and photographs. If you prefer Facebook I also have a page there. 

If you would like to receive email notifications of future blogs, you can sign up to the right of this blog post or here. Feel free to look around the website, where I have categorised posts to make them easier to find and other resources such as tours, places to visit and films that may be of interest.

If you have questions or information to share you can contact me by email on Contact@Island-Fortress.Com.

You can also find articles, podcasts, TV appearances and other social media etc here.


I will be adding more as time permits. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please share it on social media or add a comment if you did. Feedback is always appreciated.

Also happy to be contacted with questions about the war in the Channel Islands, media appearances, podcasts etc.

© Nick Le Huray

IWM PODCAST LIVE FESTIVAL – INTERVIEW WITH IWM’s HEAD OF PUBLIC HISTORY, JAMES BULGIN.

Nick spoke to James Bulgin about a range of topics in front of a live audience at the Imperial War Museum.

  • James’s connection with Guernsey.
  • James’s career and how he became the museum’s head of public history.
  • Curating the Holocaust Galleries at the museum.
  • Books that he has written.
  • Upcoming publications aim to shed light on the Holocaust and the Nuremberg Trial. 
  • The Channel Islands were the only part of Britain occupied by Nazi Germany.
  • Personal stories and memories are crucial for understanding the occupation.
  • There has been a recent outpouring of memories from the last generation of survivors.
  • Resistance in the Channel Islands took many forms, including subtle acts of defiance.
  • The strategic importance of the Channel Islands was often misunderstood during the war.
  • Liberation narratives differ significantly between the Channel Islands and mainland Britain.
  • The impact of living memory on historical narratives is profound and complex.
  • There is a growing interest in the history of the Channel Islands in educational contexts.
  • Cultural events and documentaries are helping to raise awareness about the occupation. 

Click the player below or follow the link.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the blog post.

I also co-host a podcast with Keith Pengelley in which we talk about the occupation of the Channel Islands month by month using first hand accounts, diaries and our research in the archives. You can find us on all the major podcast services. Just search “Islands at War” or visit our podcast page here.

You can also follow the blog on Twitter at @Fortress_Island where I share other information and photographs. If you prefer Facebook I also have a page there. 

If you would like to receive email notifications of future blogs, you can sign up to the right of this blog post or here. Feel free to look around the website, where I have categorised posts to make them easier to find and other resources such as tours, places to visit and films that may be of interest.

If you have questions or information to share you can contact me by email on Contact@Island-Fortress.Com.

You can also find articles, podcasts, TV appearances and other social media etc here.


I will be adding more as time permits. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please share it on social media or add a comment if you did. Feedback is always appreciated.

Also happy to be contacted with questions about the war in the Channel Islands, media appearances, podcasts etc.

© Nick Le Huray

APRIL 1943 PODCAST IS OUT! 18 ARRESTED AND TRIED IN JERSEY, SINKING SHIPS, RAF RAIDS AND MORE!

This episode delves into the experiences of the Channel Islands during the German occupation in World War II, focusing on the crackdown on radios, the arrests of resistance members, the role of women in wartime labour, rationing issues, and the impact of air raids. We discuss various incidents, including trials, sabotage, and the fate of escaped Frenchmen, while also reflecting on community responses to the occupation and the use of art as propaganda by German soldiers.

Also looking at RAF air raids and their impact on rationing, a funeral for downed airmen and much more.

  • The crackdown on radios was a significant aspect of German control.
  • Resistance members faced severe consequences, including trials and harsh sentences.
  • Women were called upon to fill labor shortages during the occupation.
  • Rationing and food supply issues were critical challenges for civilians.
  • Air raids had a profound impact on the islands and their inhabitants.
  • The Germans used propaganda to maintain control and suppress dissent.
  • Sabotage and resistance activities were met with harsh reprisals.
  • The fate of escaped Frenchmen highlighted the dangers of resistance.
  • Community responses to occupation varied, with some supporting resistance efforts.
  • The legacy of these events continues to be remembered and commemorated.

Some pictures relevant to this episode are below.

Notice from the Jersey Evening Post. A similar notice, with some of the words highlighted in bold, was published in the Guernsey Press.
UK NATIONAL ARCHIVES DEFE 2/1296
Coastal defence of the Channel Islands: report by Major G E Rice.
Includes 153 photographs depicting: Fortifications after German occupation of Channel Islands photographs taken by Major G G Rice. Dated 1945.

More details about the Wellington Bomber and a funeral parade by the Germans can be found here 431 Squadron Wellington X HE213 SE-F Sgt. Bidmead.

You can catch all our episodes on this link.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the blog post.

I also co-host a podcast with Keith Pengelley in which we talk about the occupation of the Channel Islands month by month using first hand accounts, diaries and our research in the archives. You can find us on all the major podcast services. Just search “Islands at War” or visit our podcast page here.

You can also follow the blog on Twitter at @Fortress_Island where I share other information and photographs. If you prefer Facebook I also have a page there. 

If you would like to receive email notifications of future blogs, you can sign up to the right of this blog post or here. Feel free to look around the website, where I have categorised posts to make them easier to find and other resources such as tours, places to visit and films that may be of interest.

If you have questions or information to share you can contact me by email on Contact@Island-Fortress.Com.

You can also find articles, podcasts, TV appearances and other social media etc here.


I will be adding more as time permits. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please share it on social media or add a comment if you did. Feedback is always appreciated.

Also happy to be contacted with questions about the war in the Channel Islands, media appearances, podcasts etc.

© Nick Le Huray

PODCAST MARCH 1943 – COURT CASES, DEPORTATION, BLACK MARKET AND MORE

In this episode, we explore the events of March 1943 in the Channel Islands during World War II. The conversation covers various topics including naval actions, the deportation of Jewish women, the impact of electricity rationing, and the emergence of a black market. We also discuss the tragic story of the Ogiers, collaboration among locals, and the mental health struggles faced by the population under occupation. The episode concludes with a tribute to an aircraft crew that lost their lives in the vicinity of the islands.

Plaque for the three Jewish ladies who were deported and tragically died.

Sgt. D H Yorke – 21Sqn. Ventura I. AE742 – Down West of Guernsey sadly did not survive.

Ventura AE742 

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the blog post.

I also co-host a podcast with Keith Pengelley in which we talk about the occupation of the Channel Islands month by month using first hand accounts, diaries and our research in the archives. You can find us on all the major podcast services. Just search “Islands at War” or visit our podcast page here.

You can also follow the blog on Twitter at @Fortress_Island where I share other information and photographs. If you prefer Facebook I also have a page there. 

If you would like to receive email notifications of future blogs, you can sign up to the right of this blog post or here. Feel free to look around the website, where I have categorised posts to make them easier to find and other resources such as tours, places to visit and films that may be of interest.

If you have questions or information to share you can contact me by email on Contact@Island-Fortress.Com.

You can also find articles, podcasts, TV appearances and other social media etc here.


I will be adding more as time permits. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please share it on social media or add a comment if you did. Feedback is always appreciated.

Also happy to be contacted with questions about the war in the Channel Islands, media appearances, podcasts etc.

© Nick Le Huray

FEBRUARY 1943 – DEPORTATIONS, MILK MISBEHAVIOUR, MINEFIELDS & WHIRLWINDS

This episode delves into the complex and harrowing history of the Channel Islands during World War II, focusing on the deportations of 1943. 

The conversation explores the motivations behind these deportations, the key figures involved, and the impact on the local population. 

It highlights personal stories of those affected, the resistance movements that emerged, and the broader context of life under occupation. The hosts reflect on the psychological toll of war, the struggles for resources, and the resilience of the community amidst adversity.

General Erich Muller – Commander of the Channel Islands from May 1941 to September 1943.
Colonel Friedrich Knackfuss is well known in Jersey (Channel Islands) as the Feldkommandant of the Civil Affairs Department of the German military government of the Channel Islands during the occupation.
Sgt Williams Whirlwind 263 Sqn

Also mentioned are the appearance on 1 November 2025 at the Imperial War Museum Podcast Live.   Details here https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/podcast-livech the latest episode here or on the embedded video below.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the blog post.

I also co-host a podcast with Keith Pengelley in which we talk about the occupation of the Channel Islands month by month using first hand accounts, diaries and our research in the archives. You can find us on all the major podcast services. Just search “Islands at War” or visit our podcast page here.

You can also follow the blog on Twitter at @Fortress_Island where I share other information and photographs. If you prefer Facebook I also have a page there. 

If you would like to receive email notifications of future blogs, you can sign up to the right of this blog post or here. Feel free to look around the website, where I have categorised posts to make them easier to find and other resources such as tours, places to visit and films that may be of interest.

If you have questions or information to share you can contact me by email on Contact@Island-Fortress.Com.

You can also find articles, podcasts, TV appearances and other social media etc here.


I will be adding more as time permits. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please share it on social media or add a comment if you did. Feedback is always appreciated.

Also happy to be contacted with questions about the war in the Channel Islands, media appearances, podcasts etc.

© Nick Le Huray

JANUARY 1943 – PART ONE – SHIPPING SHOCKER, AIR RAIDS, A CRAFTY FRENCHMAN, PARTIES AND MUCH MORE!

It is January 1943 and as with December 1942 it will be a two episode month because so much happened.   

In the first January 1943 episode Keith and Nick talk about:- 

  • New Year Parties – some have more fun than others.
  • A crafty French trader who is hedging his political and financial bets.
  • A shocking month for German shipping including the Schokland, VP703 and a Minesweeper.
  • Appalling treatment of Russians onboard the Xaver Dorsch.
  • Multiple air raids including hedge hopping Americans.
  • Orders, Orders Orders….

Xaver Dorsch (Photo from archeosousmarine.net)

DECEMBER1942 – PART 1 BLACK MARKET, PROHIBITED ZONES, FORCED REGISTRATION FOR LABOUR, REGISTRATION OF GUESTS, RUMOURS OF GERMAN DEPARTURE!

In this episode of Islands at War, hosts Keith Pengelley and Nick Le Huray delve into the complexities of life in Guernsey during the German occupation in December 1942.

They discuss the establishment of prohibited zones, the registration of local labour for German work, and the pervasive rumours of German withdrawal. The conversation also touches on the economic challenges faced by the islanders, including supply shortages and the rise of the black market. As Christmas approaches, the hosts reflect on the struggles of families to celebrate amidst scarcity, and the ongoing efforts to control communication and information flow by the occupying forces.

Takeaways

  • The establishment of prohibited zones was a significant military strategy.
  • Local labour registration was a contentious issue during the occupation.
  • Rumours of German withdrawal circulated widely among the islanders.
  • Supply increases were often misleading and did not reflect true availability.
  • The black market thrived due to resource scarcity and economic pressures.
  • Christmas in 1942 was marked by hardship and creativity in celebrations.
  • Wireless communication remained a point of control for the Germans.
  • The Germans used fear tactics to maintain control over the population.
  • Local responses to German policies varied, with some pushing back against labour demands.
  • The impact of the occupation on daily life was profound and multifaceted.

So much to talk about that has often been overlooked, covered here and in part two which will follow.