Some More on the German Occupation of the British Channel Islands

The Channel islands are located near the French coast at the east end of the English Channel.

German forces began occupation in July 1940 and it continued until May 9, 1945, the day after the official German surrender in Berlin. During occupation, the Germans built massive fortifications facing toward Britain, many bunkers and observation towers still exist and some have been turned into museums.

Nearly 2,000 Channel inhabitants were deported. Those who were Jewish were sent to concentration camps.

So strong were the German defenses, that the islands were bypassed on D-Day and no attempt made to attack them afterwards. The food supply to the German occupiers was cut off and starvation loomed. This, unfortunately was also bad for the civilian population.

A little-Known Aspect of the War. --DaCoot

German Guns Recovered

From the Feb. 9, 2010 BBC.

During World War II, German forces occupied the British Channel Islands and fortified them as part of their vaunted Atlantic Wall.

After the war, these fortifications were taken down and many of the cannons dumped at the bottom of Grosnez Point in Jersey.

Twenty-six were placed there, but some have been recovered and put on display. One is at Guernsey in Plienmont and another is at Occupation Point. Plans call for another one of the six ton guns to be raised.

I Didn't Know the Germans Occupied Part of Britain During the War. --Cooter