When The Germans Came - The Occupation of the Channel Islands
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Published 2022-09-27
Part of Channel Islands at War Week
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The Channel Islands are an archipelago in the English Channel, off the coast of Normandy. They include two Crown Dependencies: the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey, consisting of Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm and some smaller islands. Although they are not part of the United Kingdom, the UK is responsible for the defence and international relations of the islands. They have a total population of about 171,916.
In the summer of 1940, Britain stood perilously close to invasion. One by one, the nations of Europe had fallen to the unstoppable German Blitzkrieg, and Hitler's sights were set on the English coast. And yet, following the success of the Battle of Britain, the promised invasion never came. The prospect of German jackboots landing on British soil retreated into the realm of collective nightmares. But the spectre of what might have been is one that has haunted us down the decades, finding expression in counterfactual history and outlandish fictions. What would a British occupation have looked like? The answer lies closer to home than we think, in the experiences of the Channel Islanders - the only British people to bear the full brunt of German Occupation. For five years, our nightmares became their everyday reality.
The people of Guernsey, Jersey and Sark got to know the enemy as those on the mainland never could, watching in horror as their towns and villages were suddenly draped in Swastika flags, their cinemas began showing Nazi propaganda films, and Wehrmacht soldiers goose-stepped down their highstreets.
Duncan Barrett joins us on WW2TV to talk about the occupation. He is a writer and editor, specialising in biography and memoir. He grew up in London and studied English at Jesus College, Cambridge. twitter.com/barrettsbooks
Buy the book:
When the Germans Came: True Stories of Life under Occupation in the Channel Islands by Duncan Barrett
UK uk.bookshop.org/a/5843/9781471148163
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All Comments (21)
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What an extraordinary story. The first I time I had found out about the islands being invaded was watching The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and the story really captivated me. Listening to tonight’s show was fascinating. There is such a range of human experience in this story, absolutely unique. Thank you Paul and Duncan for arranging this, take care!
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My mother and father were both from jersey and went through the occupation, heard many stories from dad about the struggles they went through and seeing germans everywhere, very little food and and the ever present danger of been caught steeling food scraps from rubbish bins, i think it effected them both later in life.
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My grandfather, Eric Snelling was the man who managed the Regal and Lyric cinemas. His wife and their two sons were sent to the mainland to live with family, while my grandfather stayed on Guernsey. When I visited Guernsey back in 2006 I went to the archives and found the form my grandfather had completed when the Germans occupied Guernsey. My Dad shared many stories of what happened during that time. I've only just found out about this book and I'm looking forward to reading the book.
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A great presentation from Duncan covering an aspect of the German occupation of Europe that is rarely discussed in mainland UK even now. The issues Duncan goes into regarding the difference between perceived 'collaboration' by the locals and them just trying to get by still grate on raw nerves here. Great show that I was sorry to miss live.
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Excellent topic and guest. Can’t wait to read more about this. Great interview!
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Paul, Thanks very much for this deeply interesting talk with Duncan on the occupation of the Channel islands-the only part of Britain taken by the Germans in WW11. Among topics discussed were the ambivalence of the British government to the defence of the islands and the resulting resentment of islanders to Churchill. Also the simple daily interaction between the occupied and their occupiers, and the 'getting by' which ordinary people had to indulge in. The tale of the initial German bombing added a sharp tone to this often overlooked story. Very well done indeed!
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Absolutely fantastic show. Both interviewer and interviewee gave off so many important and refreshing insights. I speak as someone who grew up in Guernsey in the 60’s and 70’s with parents who were there as young adults for the duration of the German occupation, so I know something about it. Well done both of you. This is important work you are doing because it’s all about people, the quality of human understanding and the importance of history to this understanding.
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Excellent presentation. I recall seeing a poster of a German soldier holding up a mug of Guinness as a tost. Reported to be outside of a pub in Gernsy.
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I was reviewing the Channel Islands at War Week presentations and realized that I never left a comment after this very well done show. The "Variety Shows" section at 52:23 reminded me of Shakespeare's Play Hamlet Act 2, Scene 2 when Hamlet exclaims: " I'll have grounds. More relative than this—the play's the thing; Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." This was a well done presentation which showed that many channel Islanders responded in a very "British" way by escaping into their love of theater-the English spoken word is a weapon in its own right IMHO. I only have to read "Beowulf" to understand the importance of prose to the English. It is a potent propaganda. I also appreciate Duncan's remarks about Admiral Hüffmeier as it coincides with my own research into the Granville Raid in 1945. What a piece of work was that man!
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Just watched Duncan’s presentation today, a brilliant insight into the Channel Islands occupation, thanks Paul and Duncan
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Another fascinating talk from WW2 TV. Thanks so much for hosting this engaging speaker.
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Howdy folks. Loved this great show about a time and place in WW2 that I knew little about. Extraordinary story, well told by a real expert.
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Great show. I have virtually no prior understanding of this facet of WW2 so this was a wonderful introduction. Loved the personal stories reflecting conflicting emotions/perspectives amongst the occupied inhabitants.
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Wonderful, brilliant insight. One of your most fascinating guests. I was sorry that it had to end!
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Great show. Very interesting show on the often forgotten majority of the war, the civilians.
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This was an enjoyable topic. Really enjoyed it. The story about the young man singing and breaking down because his parents had just been deported, and the solidarity among the audience was very touching. I seem to get dust in my eyes almost every time I listen to one of your videos anymore. Woody, I certainly appreciate your work.
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Many thanks for a wonderful presentation. Fantastic research from Duncan. Look forward to seeing him back again
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Woody /Duncan. Fabulous presentation. Very informative. This is one of the great traits with WW2TV, different and u usual topics from different angles! Thanks to you both! Bob
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My wife's grandparents lived in Guernsey through the occupation. Some of her stories were interesting.
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Another short story. My aunt was a young girl during the war and was stuck in Guernsey. Her father was English but was not sent to a camp in Germany because he was a grower and the Germans needed his food. My family took out adoption papers for her with a local neighbour's family, just in case the father was forced into a camp, as she was too young to stay in Guernsey without her family. Just one of many stories of the occupation.
