The initial Force 135 advance party codenamed 'Omelette' formed up on St Julian's Pier and was marched by Captain Hill along the White Rock towards the Weighbridge with Guernseyman Lieutenant Rex Ferbrache leading the way. At the States Office (now the Tourist Information Building) they stopped to put the Union flag up the pole and took this photograph on Wednesday morning 9th May 1945.
Reading of the Proclamation and the King’s Message by Channel Island Commander, at Elizabeth College, St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Saturday 12th May, 1945. At the words “God Save the King” the Union Jack was broken out, the guard of honour gave the Royal Salute and the Force Commander, Brigadier A. E. Snow, OBE, saluted the Union Jack. The DCLI Band then played the National Anthem.
Reading of the Proclamation and the King’s Message by Channel Island Commander, at Elizabeth College, St Peter Port, Guernsey on Saturday 12th May, 1945. Brigadier A. E. Snow, OBE, from the Terrace Steps of Elizabeth College read the Proclamation in a loud clear voice. Behind him are Force 135 senior Staff Officers and Guernsey States officials, members of the Controlling Committee and Jurats of the Royal Court.
The Home Secretary, the Right Honourable Herbert Morrison, in front of the Royal Court, Guernsey with Brigadier Snow, the Bailiff of Guernsey, Lt-Col Stoneman, Major Le Patourel, Rear Admiral Stuart and many others on 14th May, 1945.
A hive of activity taking place at the side door of the Pomme d 'Or Hotel in Conway Street, Jersey. German prisoners are guarded by British troops. The vehicles are a Morris and a Bedford 15 cwt which had been captured by the
British troops gather on the balcony of the Pomme d`Or Hotel following the raising of the Union flag on the afternoon of 9th May 1945.
Accompanied by Generalmajor Wulf and two staff officers standing at the rear of the Royal Navy pinnace the Bailiff and solicitor general wave their hats as they head out to HMS Beagle where the surrender will be signed.
Crowds gather to hear Winston Churchill’s speech in Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey on the afternoon of Tuesday 8th May 1945.
This was the scene in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey on Tuesday the 8th May 1945 as a huge crowd gathered to hear Winston Churchill’s speech to mark the end of the war and a historical moment for the occupied Channel Islands.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Ronald McDonald, RNVR, and Sub-Lieutenant David Milln, RN, shortly after landing at the end of the Albert Pier, St Helier, Harbour, Jersey, on Wednesday morning 9th May, 1945. The German sign behind them advises Achtung Nicht Ankern Hafenspere (Attention No Anchoring Harbour Boom).
The crew of HMS Beagle’s launch make ready to land, and the first Liberators stepped ashore at the end of the Albert Pier, St Helier Harbour, Jersey, on Wednesday morning, 9th May, 1945. The two officers on board were Surgeon-Lieutenant Ronald McDonald, RNVR, and Sub-Lieutenant David Milln, RN.
The crew of HMS Beagle’s launch make ready to land, and the first Liberators stepped ashore at the end of the Albert Pier, St Helier Harbour, Jersey, on Wednesday morning, 9th May, 1945. The two officers on board were Surgeon-Lieutenant Ronald McDonald, RNVR, and Sub-Lieutenant David Milln, RN.
Addresses to the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings. Many people had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Addresses to the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings. Many people had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Robinson, MC, RA, Island commander Jersey, addresses the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings, who had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Robinson, MC, RA, Island commander Jersey, addresses the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings, who had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Robinson, MC, RA, Island commander Jersey, addresses the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings, who had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Robinson, MC, RA, Island commander Jersey, addresses the crowd from a window of the States Buildings, who had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
St Saviour`s tunnel which is featured in many publications as 'The tunnel under the church’ is one of the largest German tunnel complexes in Guernsey. This tunnel was originally constructed as a ration store and in 1944 it was converted into a munitions store. On 9th May 1969 Richard Heaume and John Hayes explored the remains of the tunnel and its contents which had captured the interest of many collectors ever since the scrap men had left in the 1950’s.
St Saviour`s tunnel which is featured in many publications as 'The tunnel under the church’ is one of the largest German tunnel complexes in Guernsey. This tunnel was originally constructed as a ration store and in 1944 it was converted into a munitions store. On 9th May 1969 Richard Heaume and John Hayes explored the remains of the tunnel and its contents which had captured the interest of many collectors ever since the scrap men had left in the 1950’s.
St Saviour`s tunnel which is featured in many publications as 'The tunnel under the church’ is one of the largest German tunnel complexes in Guernsey. This tunnel was originally constructed as a ration store and in 1944 it was converted into a munitions store. On 9th May 1969 Richard Heaume and John Hayes explored the remains of the tunnel and its contents which had captured the interest of many collectors ever since the scrap men had left in the 1950’s.
Post war photograph inside the large tunnel complex known as the German Underground Hospital in St Andrews. This section shows the lined to unlined junction of the tunnel.
Post war photograph inside the large tunnel complex known as the German Underground Hospital in St Andrews showing the unlined section of the tunnel.
During the Occupation the German forces excavated numerous tunnels in Guernsey, these were used for various purposes and many still survive today. Here we see one of the only remaining limbers with a wooden wheel almost fully intact.
Post war photograph of naval direction finding tower MP1 at Chouet which fell into the quarry in 1991.
Typical of many albums, be they tourist or occupying forces, a scenic view of the cliffs and rocks of Guernsey’s south coast. Seen here is L’Angle with Tas de Pois d’Aval (Gull Rock) seen right taken c.1941, prior to the building of the tower MP4 and the German coastal artillery battery of Batterie Dollman. This Photograph is from a small collection of six taken by an unknown German soldier posted to Guernsey in 1941 with 319 Infantry Division.
Post war photograph showing several structures of Batterie Steinbruch prior to their removal during the quarry expansion at Les Vardes, St Sampson.
Inside the command post of Batterie Elefant, Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey where plotting information is collated then communicated to the gun positions for aiming and firing. This was situated in close proximity to the 'Paper House’ and the observation tower.
The battery commander and the battery sergeant-major of Batterie Elefant inside La Jaoniere, Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey. Note the field telephone and the assortment of hand stamps on the table.
Group photograph showing members of artillery Batterie Elefant which was situated at Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey. The photo was taken in the grounds of what is now Les Bourgs Hospice and the building in the background is known as Les Marronniers.
Batterie Elefant situated at Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey consisted of three 21cm Morser 18 guns with a range of 16.7km. This was a medium howitzer that had the ability to fire at high angles of elevation. The three guns were mounted on open platforms. Here, the battery commander poses for a photograph alongside one of his guns. Note he is wearing the ribbon of the 1914 Iron Cross, 2nd Class in his second buttonhole, which he won in World War 1.
Post war photograph looking through the observation slit of the command post of Batterie Dollmann, Pleinmont. In the background MP4 a naval direction finding tower can be seen.
Ornate cast concrete plaque commemorating the death of Uffz. Hirscher who drowned and another soldier Ritscher, cause of death unknown but possibly from aircraft attack. The plaque was removed from Brehon Tower and is now on display at the German Occupation Museum.
Post war photograph of Brehon Tower which housed two 2cm Flakvierling anti-aircraft guns on the roof, each weapon comprised of four barrels per gun. The tower also housed a 10.5cm K331(f) gun facing north.
The open breach of the 30.5cm K14(r) gun at Batterie Mirus which was the largest German naval installation in the Channel Islands.
The open breach of the 30.5cm K14(r) gun at Batterie Mirus which was the largest German naval installation in the Channel Islands.
The open breach of the 30.5cm K14(r) gun at Batterie Mirus which was the largest German naval installation in the Channel Islands.
With the Mirus barrel loaded on to a 48-wheel trailer the convoy of halftracks is preparing to leave the Cambridge berth and head across the island to the construction site. Batterie Mirus was the largest German installation in the Channel Islands and housed four 30.5cm naval guns.
Filming of 'Appointment with Venus’ on the Channel Island of Sark. The plot is set during the outbreak of WWII when the Ministry of Agriculture and the War Office join forces to launch a daring mission to rescue a highly lucrative pedigree cow, Venus, from the German-occupied Channel Island of Armorel. English Army Major Valentine Moreland (David Niven), his A.T.S. assistant Nicola Fallaize (Glynis Johns), radio operator Forbes (Patric Doonan) and ship’s pilot Trawler Langley (Noel Purcell) are dispatched to the small island to rescue Venus. Problems arise when the German commander on Armorel, Weiss (George Coulouris), also discovers the cow’s value and intends to evacuate Venus back to Germany. The film went on general release in 1951.
Filming of 'Appointment with Venus’ on the Channel Island of Sark. The plot is set during the outbreak of WWII when the Ministry of Agriculture and the War Office join forces to launch a daring mission to rescue a highly lucrative pedigree cow, Venus, from the German-occupied Channel Island of Armorel. English Army Major Valentine Moreland (David Niven), his A.T.S. assistant Nicola Fallaize (Glynis Johns), radio operator Forbes (Patric Doonan) and ship’s pilot Trawler Langley (Noel Purcell) are dispatched to the small island to rescue Venus. Problems arise when the German commander on Armorel, Weiss (George Coulouris), also discovers the cow’s value and intends to evacuate Venus back to Germany. The film went on general release in 1951.
Filming of 'Appointment with Venus’ on the Channel Island of Sark. The plot is set during the outbreak of WWII when the Ministry of Agriculture and the War Office join forces to launch a daring mission to rescue a highly lucrative pedigree cow, Venus, from the German-occupied Channel Island of Armorel. English Army Major Valentine Moreland (David Niven), his A.T.S. assistant Nicola Fallaize (Glynis Johns), radio operator Forbes (Patric Doonan) and ship’s pilot Trawler Langley (Noel Purcell) are dispatched to the small island to rescue Venus. Problems arise when the German commander on Armorel, Weiss (George Coulouris), also discovers the cow’s value and intends to evacuate Venus back to Germany. The film went on general release in 1951.
Filming of 'Appointment with Venus’ on the Channel Island of Sark. The plot is set during the outbreak of WWII when the Ministry of Agriculture and the War Office join forces to launch a daring mission to rescue a highly lucrative pedigree cow, Venus, from the German-occupied Channel Island of Armorel. English Army Major Valentine Moreland (David Niven), his A.T.S. assistant Nicola Fallaize (Glynis Johns), radio operator Forbes (Patric Doonan) and ship’s pilot Trawler Langley (Noel Purcell) are dispatched to the small island to rescue Venus. Problems arise when the German commander on Armorel, Weiss (George Coulouris), also discovers the cow’s value and intends to evacuate Venus back to Germany. The film went on general release in 1951.
Filming of 'Appointment with Venus’ on the Channel Island of Sark. The plot is set during the outbreak of WWII when the Ministry of Agriculture and the War Office join forces to launch a daring mission to rescue a highly lucrative pedigree cow, Venus, from the German-occupied Channel Island of Armorel. English Army Major Valentine Moreland (David Niven), his A.T.S. assistant Nicola Fallaize (Glynis Johns), radio operator Forbes (Patric Doonan) and ship’s pilot Trawler Langley (Noel Purcell) are dispatched to the small island to rescue Venus. Problems arise when the German commander on Armorel, Weiss (George Coulouris), also discovers the cow’s value and intends to evacuate Venus back to Germany. The film went on general release in 1951.