The Swedish ship SS Vega, chartered by the International Red Cross to take Red Cross Supplies to the Channel Islands, at the London Berth, St Peter Port Harbour, Guernsey. Note German FK vessels moored alongside and trains on the quay.
Cordite being burnt on the beach in Guernsey 1945, the photographer could feel the heat from over 400 feet away.
Major F. Sargent, Lt-Col Rogers and an Evening Post reporter at Les Landes, 1946. The cliffs at Les Landes, St Ouen, Jersey are sheer and over 200 feet high. These were chosen as the most suitable site for dumping all the German medium and heavy coastal artillery pieces.
A French Char B1-bis tank in one of the German chambers of the tunnel now converted into the Aquarium. These were captured tanks brought to the islands by the Germans as part of Panzer unit 216. The tank was photographed prior to its removal in 1952.
The Germans installed a railway network to move food and materials around the island, these were used extensively during the construction of the fortifications. This derelict locomotive lies in St Sampson along Bulwer Avenue prior to being scrapped.
An armoured steel turret at Fort Doyle during the post war scrap metal drive, workers used gas axes and thermal lances to cut through the enormous steel sections.
An ex-RAF Coles mobile crane lifts a depth charge found at Batterie Mirus by workers of John Upham during the scrap metal drive of the early 1950’s. The charge was originally thought to be a large grease drum used in the operation of the gun, camouflaging its true lethal purpose.
The M19 armoured turret at Fort Hommet has been cut into manageable pieces ready for transport to the United Kingdom as scrap metal.
The steel armoured turret of the M19 automatic mortar at Fort Hommet prior to the scrap men cutting it up and being made ready to be transported to the United Kingdom as scrap metal.
As part of the post war clearance operations ammunition was loaded onto LCTs and dumped in the Hurd Deep. Here we see wicker baskets containing 8.8cm shells about to be thrown overboard by POWs.
The last of the French Char B1 tanks is loaded onto a Landing Craft Tank (LCT), at La Haul Slip, St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey on the 17th May, 1946. These tanks had been captured by the Germans and formed Panzer Abteilung 213 that was stationed in the island. They were returned to France and the French Army.
8.8cm Flak 41 anti-aircraft gun on display at the German Occupation Museum in the 1980`s. Weapons of this model were never installed in the Channel Islands.
A German NCO outside the Kommandantur Office in Jersey with one of the bicycles that were requisitioned during the occupation under Article 53 of the Hague Convention despite considerable protests.
A German stands in front of the Victor Hugo statue in Candie Gardens, Guernsey. The 9,800kg limestone statue was made in 1913 by French sculptor Jean Boucher. It was transported from Paris to Cherbourg and then to Guernsey by steamboat before it was officially unveiled on 7 July 1914.
The press censor Sonderfuehrer Kurt Goettmann appointed on the 27th January 1942 at the age of 32. His previous experience included working in press offices in both Paris and London. The censor role was to ensure that anything published followed the stringent rules set out by the Germans.
German officers listen to a band playing in Market Square, St Peter Port. Note the air raid shelter sign on the wall.
German forces made a mad rush for the well stocked shops in the early days of the occupation. Here we see both Germans and civilians in the High Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey.
German personnel and their guests on the way to the Casquets for an outing in the summer of 1941.
Germans stand alongside one of the cannons of Castle Cornet in St Peter Port. The Castle was the 'Hafenschlosss' (harbour Castle) during the occupation of Guernsey by German forces from 1940 until 1945. The occupying forces built air raid shelters and platforms for anti aircraft-guns to update the Castle for 20th century warfare.
Generalmajor Rudolf Wulf who was the Festungskommandant Jersey at liberation seen here after the award of his Knight’s cross of the Iron Cross, on 12th January 1943. At the time he was an Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-Colonel) in charge of an infantry regiment.
Guernsey, 9th May 1945. Colonel H. R. Power, OBE, MC (late Glosters), Chief civil affairs Officer (CCAO), No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit, HQ Guernsey, Force 135.
Fishing boats laid up at the Old Harbour, St Peter Port, following the order for all boats to be moved to main harbours.
The German jetty at Braye Harbour, Alderney in advanced stages of decay. The jetty comprised of two Krupp sections linked to a Dortmunder Union section which in turn was connected to the existing harbour. The jetty was designed for use as an improvised harbour during Operation Sealion. It was finally demolished in 1979.
The 8-foot dinghy in which Dennis Vibert escaped from Jersey to England in September 1941.
A crowd of joyous Guernsey islanders in front of the Growers Co-Operative Society building in St Peter Port on May 9th 1945.
Vizeadmiral Hüffmeier’s representative Kapitänleutnant Zimmermann returning to his vessel the German minesweeper M4613 after discussing Armistice terms on board HMS Bulldog. He was told to return to his commander and tell him to prepare for Unconditional Surrender. On leaving he arrogantly warned Brigadier Snow to move away from the coast otherwise this would be construed as an invitation to open fire. Astounded by Zimmermann’s effrontery Brigadier Snow is reported to have replied “Tell Hüffmeier that if he opens fire on us we will hang him tomorrow!”
May 9th 1946. The great day finished with a display on a big scale of Brock’s fireworks. The gigantic firework display began at 10.15 p.m. and were fired from the White Rock Pier, St Peter Port.
A cargo vessel from Group III of the Liberation Fleet which arrived at St Peter Port Harbour, Guernsey, on 13th May carrying essential supplies. Once unloaded the much awaited food stuffs were transported to the Detail Issue Depot (DID), ready for distribution to islanders.
As Brigadier Snow was leaving the grounds of Elizabeth College following the reading of the Proclamation he caught sight of two disabled Guernseymen both proudly wearing medals, which had been gained in the World War of 1914-18. They were Mr. Arthur Henry Sims of La Rousalerie, La Ramée, St Peter Port, and Mr. F. T. Corbet, of “Guillemont”, Braye Road, St Sampson. Mr. Corbet, disabled with leg injuries at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, also received a handclasp from Brigadier Snow and said that he would cherish the kind words which the Brigadier bestowed upon him.
Brigadier Snow and Senior Officers of Force 135 salute as the Union Flag is broken out and the DCLI Band played the National Anthem at the reading of the Proclamation and King’s Message Ceremony, at Elizabeth College, Guernsey on Saturday afternoon 12th May 1945.
Eight DUKWs pre-loaded with supplies swam ashore from HM Landing Ship Tank (LST) 234 (Army Serial No. 130) anchored off St Peter Port, Guernsey and drove up the slipway of the Old Harbour much to the amazement of the crowd on Saturday morning 12th May 1945.
Warrant Officer William F. Walden-Mills, ARCM, LRAM, conducting the DCLI Band in St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945.
The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI) Band stops to play in the street leading from Le Pollet into the North Esplanade, St Peter Port. Their schedule was a busy one as they played at the Proclamation Ceremony at Elizabeth College during the early afternoon of Saturday 12th May 1945 and were then transported by ship to Jersey for a similar ceremony in the Royal Square, St Helier later in the day.
Lance-Corporal Dispatch Rider, Force 135, putting a sweet into a boy’s mouth much to the delight of the watching crowd on the Esplanade, St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945. The soldier is wearing a blue armband with the letters 'RP’ (Regimental Police) in red.
A crowd of joyous Guernsey islanders in front of the States building in St Peter Port on May 9th 1945.
The Guard of Honour present arms, the officers salute and the Bailiff removes his Bowler hat as the Union Flag is broken out at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony outside the Court Buildings.
Crowds of Guernsey folk that had waited for the arrival of the main body of the 'Omelette’ advance party climbed on buildings, carts and lorries to get a better view. At 2.15 p.m. on Wednesday 9th May 1945 the British troops landed under the command of Major J. Clement, RA, consisting of 'D’ Battery 618 Regiment, Royal artillery, with additional personnel from 'A’ Battery; Detachment of Royal Engineers; Detachment of royal Corps of Signals; totalling eleven officers, three Warrant Officers and one hundred and fifty four other ranks.
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. Welcoming them ashore are L to R: Mary Marteret, Miss Frazer, unknown, and just in the picture Major Cooke.
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 Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony at the Court House, St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Wednesday morning, 9th May, 1945. The two British officers from Force 135, Colonel Power and Lt-Col Stoneman salute, the Bailiff of Guernsey removed his bowler hat and Members of the Controlling Committee of the States of Guernsey look on as the Union Jack is raised after five years of German Occupation.
The 'Gunners’ a detachment from 618 Regiment, Royal Artillery, part of the initial Force 135 advance party codenamed 'Omelette’ formed up on the St Julian’s Pier and was marched by Captain Hill, RA, along the White Rock towards the Weighbridge with Guernseyman Lieutenant Rex Ferbrache, RNVR, leading the way. At the States Office they stopped put the Union flag up the pole and then marched back along the esplanade to the Royal Hotel. Wednesday morning 9th May 1945.
Photograph taken on the 28th May, 1945 at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, Maître Ile, the Minquiers, and belonged to Brigadier Snow. Brigadier A. E. Snow coming aboard the J225.
Photograph taken on the 28th May, 1945 at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, Maître Ile, the Minquiers, and belonged to Brigadier Snow. Brigadier Snow boarding the J225.
The Brigadier in the stern, Captain Fremantle, Mr Alexander Coutanche and a Naval Rating going ashore at Les Minquiers on 28th May 1945.
Photograph taken on the 28th May, 1945 at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, Maître Ile, the Minquiers, and belonged to Brigadier Snow. Going ashore. Naval Rating, Alexander Coutanche, Naval Officer and Brigadier Snow aboard J225.