JMT Summer Talks: German Occupation of the Channel Islands

The Channel Islands were totally unprepared for the German occupation and it was not until Paris fell on the 14th June 1940 that appeals to London for assistance were made. The Government sent ships to evacuate those Islanders who wished to leave and on the 19th June and for a few days afterwards some 24,000 left leaving almost 68,000 undefended. The Germans arrived on the 30th June 1940. The Channel Islands were the only part of the United Kingdom that was occupied by the Germans.

This talk by Alan Moorcroft will detail the circumstances of the occupation and cover the life of the Islanders over the next five years. Details of the German forces and their efforts to strengthen the Islands so they could not be recaptured along with the methods the population and the occupying forces used to communicate with their family and friends will be covered. The final 9 months, known as the Fortress period, being the most difficult for the Islanders and the occupation forces will be illustrated.

Doors open at 6.00pm. Talks are £3 entry and can be booked online here.