Outside the Alderney headquarters for the Feldkommondantur 515, the German Civilian administration on 1st May 1941. Hans Herzog the Sonderfuehrer for Alderney is seen with members from the Feldkommondantur 515 Guernsey and Jersey, which were based at the Grange Lodge and Victoria College respectively. Also there was second from the left, Oberst Schumacher and fourth from the left peeping through the gap is Dr. Kratzer.
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.
Photograph of LSI (H) St Helier in 'D-Day’ camouflage carrying Landing Craft Assault and flying her Anti-Aircraft balloon. The reverse has been endorsed, “Passed for transmission through the post but not good for publication.” There are also two signatures, T. McBryde and P. J. Hickson, Surg. Lieut., RNVR, and an oval cachet in red, “Commanding Officer H.M.S. “St Helier” – 8 Feb 1945.” St Helier downed a German Stuka and rescued 10,200 troops at Dunkirk.
Group I, First Lift, of the Channel Islands Liberation fleet, codenamed 'agent’, commanded by Rear-Admiral C. G. Stuart, DSO, DSC, (Retd) serving in the rank of Captain, RN, Naval force Commander, Force 135, bound for Guernsey sailed from Plymouth at 15.45 hours on 11th may, 1945, 'W’ Day plus 7, and arrived off St Peter Port at 07.15 hours on Saturday, 12th May.
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!”
The Ward Room of HMS Bulldog during the first conference with Kapitänleutnant Armin Zimmerman Commander of the 46th Minesweeper Flotilla and Officer on the German Naval Commander’s Staff on Tuesday 8th May 1945. L to R: Rear-Admiral C. G. Stuart, Royal Navy representative; Brigadier A. E. Snow, Chief British Emissary; Captain H. Herzmark (standing) Intelligence Corps Interpreter; Lt-Col E. G. Stoneman (behind Herzmark), Commander 618 Regiment Royal Artillery; Wing Commander 'Archie’ Stewart, RAF Representative; Army Education Corps Senior NCO Clerk (writing); Major John E. Margesson, General Staff Officer II; and Colonel H. R. Power, CCAO.
May 9th 1946. Children of the Billeting Hostel, Hotel de France, under their warden Mrs. H. C. Poat formed a simple but really sincere tableau as they marched along with red white and blue flowing and with each child carrying a placard with “Thank you! Blackley” etc. These grateful boys and girls who spent the war years in England chose a happy way of expressing their gratitude to all the localities and were a notable feature of the procession.
May 9th 1946. The boys from Les Vauxbelets College produced a splendid tableau, a cycling representation of the war year by year leading up to the Liberation of the Channel Islands. They presented a striking picture in their white shirts, flannels, and multi-coloured tam-o-shanters.
May 9th 1946. There were six entries in Class 11 Decorated Heavy Lorries which produced many praiseworthy efforts. In the front was Messrs. Leale Limited’s “At Last” gorse-covered vehicle depicting a sailor hoisting the Union Jack over the conquered Swastika with a bulldog at the rear biting the hind quarters of a helmeted Nazi who was endeavouring to find refuge.
May 9th 1946. Recalling the vivid memories of 9th May 1945 when the two destroyers Bulldog and Beagle anchored off Guernsey was Bertram de la Mare a five-year-old sailor boy with HMS Bulldog inscribed on his cap. Behind Bertram is Kathleen Corbet covered in wood shavings making a striking “I’m a Chip off the Old Block”.
May 9th 1946. Honours in the Junior Class 2 (a) in the Cavalcade for pedestrians in costume easily went to three-year-old David A. Rose, Guernsey’s “Winston Churchill” complete with top-hat cigar and walking stick made a big hit as he strolled along. He is seen here in the sidecar of Mr. F. H. Rose’s decorated motor cycle, “A Churchillian Scene” in Class 22.
The RAF provided air cover for the landings and flew low over the island to “show the flag.” This squadron of fighters flew low over St Peter Port, Guernsey much to the delight of the islanders watching the British troops coming ashore. The mast of the US LST 516 can be seen which was beached in the Old Harbour.