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.
The floating crane 'Antee’ being manoeuvred in the Old Harbour now better known now as the Albert Marina. This crane was used to offload many of the supplies brought to the island by the Germans including construction supplies and artillery pieces. The pier was fenced off to the public, in the background you can see a number of radio vehicles sited on the Crown Pier.
Fishing boats laid up at the Old Harbour, St Peter Port, following the order for all boats to be moved to main harbours.
Fishing boats laid up at the Old Harbour, St Peter Port, following the order for all boats to be moved to main harbours.
The sunken ship Staffa in Braye harbour, Alderney. The ship was loaded with parsnips and due to leave for Guernsey before breaking away from here mooring.
20mm anti-aircraft gun salvaged in April 1969 by Mr Len Mecham and his crew of divers from the wreck of the VP209 'Dr. Rudolph Wahrenorff'. On cleaning the barnacles from the remains of the magazine five 20mm rounds were revealed.
The 8-foot dinghy in which Dennis Vibert escaped from Jersey to England in September 1941.
One of the many ships used by the Germans to transport war material to the islands which came to grief on the treacherous north coast of Jersey.
A crowd of joyous Guernsey islanders in front of the Growers Co-Operative Society building in St Peter Port on May 9th 1945.
Members of the British Legion, banners flying and led by Mr. T. Macathie, entering Elizabeth College grounds, St Peter Port, Guernsey, for the Reading of the Proclamation and the King’s Message by Channel Island Commander, Brigadier Snow, on Saturday afternoon, 12th May, 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!”
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. 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.
May 9th 1946. At the end of the procession were the members of St John Ambulance Brigade under Ambulance Officer J. Shore.
May 9th 1946. Youth and Sports Clubs were well represented in the Cavalcade. St John’s Church Sunday School May-pole scene came first in Class 14.
May 9th 1946. Youth and Sports Clubs were well represented in the Cavalcade. St John’s Church Sunday School May-pole scene came first in Class 14.
May 9th 1946. Extremely modern was the choice of Mr. A. G. Toms who in Class 12 Decorated Motor Cars brought the UNO right into our midst with petite Jean Potter as a charming statue of peace.
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. In Class 10 Decorated Trade Vehicles (Mechanical) was this radiant and charming bevy of girls who were some of the candidates in the competition for Guernsey’s Holiday Princess being held by the Gaumont Palace.
May 9th 1946. The Home Secretary Mr. Chuter Ede talking to some of the younger entrants in the Cavalcade.
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.
May 9th 1946. Believed to be Elizabeth Taylor winner of the Decorated Cycles with Cyclist in Costume. Class 7, “Guernsey 1746.” Elizabeth went back before living memory to Guernsey 1746, dressed in old-fashioned costume. Behind her can be seen twelve-year-old Hazel Carré in Class 1 who had been an evacuee at St Helen’s Lancashire. She caught the eye with a decorated cycle depicting Freedom while in the same class twelve-year-old John Taylor made a fine cycling “clown”.
May 9th 1946. The Liberation Cavalcade marched in stately procession, headed by “John Bull” (Mr. Wilfred Shirvell), and moved off from the Half-Way punctually at 3 p.m.
Following the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 19th August 1945 conducted by the Rev. T. Davis, Vicar of St James, there was a march past of all the troops that had taken part in the service. Drawn from every unit in the island the troops formed up in the vicinity of the Guernsey Brewery. At 12 noon the troops proceeded along the Coal Quay and the North Esplanade then on to the Weighbridge where Brigadier A. E. Snow OBE took the salute. Beside him on the dais is the Bailiff of Guernsey Victor Carey Esq.
The HM LST 365 beached in the Old Harbour, St Peter Port, Guernsey in September 1945 to collect vehicles of Force 135 and return them to the UK.
SS Sandhill, 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.
German prisoners of war in Guernsey make their way to waiting LSTs that will take them to the England.
German prisoners of war in Guernsey make their way to waiting LSTs that will take them to the England.
Lines of German prisoners of war waiting on the beach to board the three LST, 295, 527 and 521 that beached in St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey, on Saturday 19th May 1945.
Wehrmacht prisoners of war proceed along Victoria Avenue to West Park, Jersey, where DUKWs were waiting on the beach to ferry them out to the LSI anchored in St Aubin’s Bay. Their eventual destination being POW camps in the UK.
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.
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. Brigadier Snow stopped and went across to Mr. Sims. He shook hands with him and asked him how he had lost his two legs. Mr. Sims told the Brigadier that if had happened at the Battle of Cambrai. He added that he was proud and pleased to see British boys here once again.
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.
The American LST 516, piloted by Captain Abbey formerly of Isle de Serk, manoeuvred through the narrow entrance of the Inner Harbour and came to rest within a few yards of the sea wall and moored to the north and south piers of the Old Harbour and waited for the tide to recede. Tommies and Doughboys were singing and shouting and generally giving greeting to Guernsey, from the top deck. Guernsey folk are also welcoming a detachment of British Troops trying to make their way along the Esplanade.
During Saturday morning 12th May, several of the LSTs at anchor off St Peter Port, Guernsey lowered several British LCP(V) and other landing craft which unloaded specialist troops and their equipment. One of the landing craft is seen here unloading a Jeep and a lorry at the slipway of the Old Harbour.
Warrant Officer William F. Walden-Mills, ARCM, LRAM, conducting the DCLI Band in St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945.
Petty Officer John Langlois, son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Langlois, of the Green lanes, arrived in Guernsey on Saturday 12th May and before he had marched more than a few yards was greeted unexpectedly by his sister. PO Langlois, who was educated at Amherst School, joined HM forces in 1936, landed in France on D-Day and was last in the island on leave in 1939.
Lance-Corporal Dispatch Rider, Force 135 (still wearing his life vest) offering sweets to a young Guernsey boy outside the Crown Hotel on the Esplanade, St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945.
Lance-Corporal Dispatch Rider, Force 135, giving out sweets to a group of delighted children on the Esplanade, St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945.
Mrs. Elsie Jory of the Laurels Candie Road St Peter Port had painted her 'Welcome’ sign under the very noses of the Germans in her husband’s workshops whilst he had planted out 150 red and 150 white tulips the previous October.
Gathered with Guernsey States officials on the Court House steps for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony are (left to right front row) Colonel H. R. Power, OBE, MC, No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit; the Bailiff of Guernsey, Mr. Victor Carey; Lieutenant-Colonel E. G. Stoneman, TD, RA, officer commanding 618 Regiment, Royal Artillery, Force 135.
Colonel Herbert Power OBE, MC, Chief Civil Affairs Officer, No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit, Force 135, makes little headway along the Glategny Esplanade after leaving the Royal Hotel. He was besieged by thankful islanders wanting to shake his hand and obtain his autograph. PC 24 Basil Le Page tries to help him through the enthusiastic crowd.
Three German Artillery Carriers (Artillerieträger), AF 65, 68 and 71 moored at the top of the New North Quay, St Helier Harbour, Jersey, on 12th May, 1945. In the foreground can be seen the top of a British Landing Craft.
The first members of the 'Omelette’ advance party, Force 135, to step ashore at the New Jetty, St Peter Port, on Wednesday, 9th May, 1945, at approximately 07.50 hours.
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 Snow boarding 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. Still going ashore. Naval Rating, Alexander Coutanche, Naval Officer and Brigadier Snow aboard J225.