Islands at War

This episode Nick talks to Ceri Thomas who visited Guernsey recently. Ceri gives a visitors perspective on the Occupation. Thanks to Ceri for taking the time to record this. Send us Fan Mail If you use the send us a text option and would like us to contact you please leave a contact method such as an email. Follow us on Twitter here or Facebook here. If you want to email in a question send it to o...

It is November 1941 and there is a lot going on!  Dr Fritz Todt visits the Channel Islands to assess what fortifications. French workers arrive and then protest before running amok in Town. We talk about espionage and the arrest of William 'Bill' Symes who was arrested for smuggling information out of Guernsey about the German occupation and forces. He ended up in a concentration camp, b...

In a special episode author Theresa Le Flem popped into the studio to talk about her novel "A Sea of Barbed Wire: Fear, romance and betrayal in Occupied Guernsey" which can be purchased from the Lexicon, the Candie Museum Gift shop, and the Guernsey Information Bureau or Writer’s Block if you live in Guernsey or from Amazon here. Send us Fan Mail If you use the send us a text option and...

You can find photos and links to things we talked about here . Its October 1941 and the Germans are worried about a British attempt to retake the Channel Islands. We had a couple of clarifications and corrections that we talked about. One being the American officer who was in fact Canadian. We reference Operation Attaboy which was planned earlier in the year. We talk about the Fortress Order and t...

In this episode Keith talks to Steve Foote of Blue Ormer Publishing and Chief Executive of the Priaulx Library. They talk about the following books which you can buy. Guernsey Occupation Diaries 1940-45 - Reverend Douglas Ord (edited John Nettles) The Silent War -Frank Falla Guernsey Under German Rule - Ralph Durand Life in Occupied Guernsey - Ruth Ozanne Diary The Battle of Newlands - The Wartime...

In the September 1941 edition we cover a number of aspects of events that month.  As requested by many people we have expanded the podcast to include regular Jersey content so each month going forward there will a more about Jersey. We kick off this episode with the incredible escape of Denis Vibert from Jersey in a tiny boat. Moving on to some rumours of a tunnel being constructed from Jersey to...

In this episode Keith talks to Tim Osborne of Tim's Guided Walks about his recommended books about the German occupation. Tim tells us why these books are so important to him and how they help his tour guiding. Some are out of print but can be obtained from the internet. First book is Ernie Gavey's guide to Fortifications which you can find here Second book is Operation Basalt by Eric Le...

August 1941 - In this episode Keith and Nick look at the German reliance on horses. Then move on to how the Germans ruined the economy and left the Channel Islands virtually bankrupt.  British banks lent money to the Channel Islands governments.  The unusual story of a German who was fluent in Guernésiais (Patois) and the mystery surrounding this.  If you want to find out about Guernésiais your ca...

In this episode Nick chats to Tim Osborne about the Lancaster that landed in Sark, the RAF Typhoon raids on the radars at Fort George, what went at the camps in Alderney and the German railway in Guernsey. Tim is a tour guide, historian and commercial pilot. You can find some of his videos here. He tells the incredible story of the Lancaster that landed in a field in Sark.  Other topics we covered...

It is July 1941, and the V sign campaign really takes hold in Guernsey. We talk in depth about what happened and the ramifications for the local population.  The German occupiers make themselves look a bit silly much to the amusement of the locals. We also talk about RAF bombing raids that happened on the island that month and the damage they caused.   We also answer questions from listeners at th...

Keith and I can't believe we have covered a year of the the Occupation this episode! There was a lot going on some of which was a bit disturbing to say the least.  We talk about one of the first concrete and extensive gun batteries in Guernsey. Batterie Strassburg up at Jerbourg is a complex of 64 different positions around the Jerbourg headland. Housing issues a and much more. You can see pi...

Nick was delighted to be invited to talk to the well known historian and author Dr Philip Blood about the German occupation of the Channel Islands during the Second World War. Phil has written a number of books and contributes to the Fallout Sub stack . Please do go and take a look at the Substack site and if you like the content subscribe. It was an absolute privilege for Nick to be invited to sp...

We start off with controversial suggestions as to rationing of Fish which caused a fuss in the Guernsey Evening Press. Jurat (and later Sir) John Leale headed up the controlling committee after Ambrose Sherwill was arrested, see our podcast episodes September 1940 , October 1940 , November 1940 and December 1940 if you want to understand that saga! There are various pictures associated with the ep...

It is April 1941. The Channel Islands are in their tenth month of being occupied by the German forces. In this episode we cover the Hurricane pilot Sgt Robert Stirling who bailed out of his Hurricane and landed on the small island oof Lihou.  As mentioned in the podcast there is an excellent documentary called “Stirling’s War” which you can find here and watch for free. Tim Osborne who produced it...

In this episode we talk March 1941 of the Occupation of Guernsey in the Channel Islands.   We cover off the end of joke that made the Germans look daft but got too teenage maids in trouble. We look at the impact of sabotage when some phone lines get cut at the airport.  Also the impact of sabotage that the RAF did before they left and subsequent bombing.attacks. The aircraft that upset the Germans...

In this episode we cover the tragic story of some French men who thought they had reached England but instead had landed on a beach in Guernsey. The strange case of the spies and parachutists which has the Germans worried but also makes them look very silly.  The tale of two fishermen and a submarine also makes an appearance.  You can find some of the things we talk about here . Send us Fan Mail I...

Nick was absolutely thrilled to be offered the chance to speak to Melva Stacey.  Incredibly grateful to Melva's daughter Karin for contacting me and asking if I might be interested in interviewing her mother who is 95 years young about her time here during the occupation. I didn't need to be asked twice!  Melva told a fascinating account about how life was for her as a child, her family,...

Part two of our early fortifications special.   Following a number of questions around the fortification of the Channel Islands we were keen to talk about early fortifications.  In the show we deal with everything from the start to late 1941! Basically everything pre-Atlantic wall. We talk a bit about early Luftwaffe activity, Battle of Britain, the repurposing of  Napoleonic fortifications and mu...

Following a number of questions around the fortification of the Channel Islands we were keen to talk about early fortifications. In the show we deal with everything from the start to late 1941! Basically everything pre-Atlantic wall. We talk a bit about early Kommandandt's, early fortifications and the obsession with holding the Channel Islands despite there being no strategic value. A few pi...

January 1941  In this episode we deal with: Lack of vitamin A causes concern Pigeons banned! Fortifications  - a brief overview Depression and other illnesses  Postage issues  Red Cross Letters . If you want to email in a question send it to occupied@gnetradio.com.  Alternatively you can send us a text with the link at the bottom of these notes (only works with iPhones). To see all the pictures an...

December 1940. In this episode we deal with the fate of Symes & Nicolle the two commandos and the civilians that helped them. Find out how they were treated and conditions in  the prison. You can find out about the prison here. We also talk about the repercussions of the raid and how the local population feels about the raid. Also in the show we  look at RAF activity around the islands, a Germ...

November 1940.  There was a lot going on! We continue to follow what is happening to Symes & Nicolle and those that helped them.  The confiscation of wireless sets and more. Luftwaffe aircraft downed during the month including one that crashed on Crevichon. To see all the pictures and documents we talked about head to this link . You can find out more about the occupation on my website Island...

It is October 1940. The two commandos, Nicolle and Symes are still at large  and moving around the island. Much happened in the run up to their surrender, their treatment after they surrender and the consequences following this. More British forces personnel surrender as part of the amnesty. Food is already getting short so we talk about an unusual recipe that was used. You can find some of the it...

The latest episode is out. In this episode Keith and Nick talk you through the events of September 1940. We take a look at the following the civilian perception of what is going on in the war, various commando raids, an escape, RAF operations in the area, a failed rescue attempt, islanders serving in the British forces and much more! The escape is detailed here. You can find pictures on my blog po...

We are back for episode 3!  We now have an appropriate theme tune thanks to our friend Jim Delbridge.   He has kindly allowed us to use his song “5 to 7” from his album ‘The Navigator’.  You can find the video here.  Keith and Nick talk you through the events of August 1940 the second full month of the islands being occupied by the German forces.  We talk about matters  both civilian and military....