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.
Jersey, Saturday 12th May, 1945. Members of Force 135 from the initial Phases of Operation 'Moslem’ still wearing their life-vests congregate at the Weighbridge Transit Area and await orders to move to the Assembly Areas or Objectives. Behind is the Pomme d’Or Hotel that was the Tactical HQ of Force 135.
Two of the four Landing Ship Tank, the US LST 521 and 527, that beached in St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey, on Sunday 13th May, 1945.
The bow doors of the beached American US LST 542 are open and the crew and British troops have commenced disembarkation. St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey on Sunday 13th May, 1945.
The bow doors of the beached American US LST 521 are open and the crew and British troops wait patiently onboard for the tide to recede sufficiently for the ramp to be lowered so that disembarkation can commence. St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey on Sunday 13th May, 1945.
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.
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.
A German Oberleutnant, possibly Feldpoliziinspector u. Dienstellenleiter Richard Bode of the German Secret Field Police (Geheime Feldpolizie or GFP), escorted by armed British troops descends the steps at the head of the New North Quay, on Sunday, 13th May, 1945. He was taken by launch to a waiting LSI anchored in St Aubin’s Bay then on to the UK and a POW camp.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 showing the layout of the wards.
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.
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.
Post war photograph of the tunnel entrance to HO.7/40 better known as the German Underground Hospital in St Andrews.
Post war photograph of the tunnel entrance to HO.7/40 better known as the German Underground Hospital in St Andrews.
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 a surviving concrete lined chamber within one of the larger tunnel complexes with various limbers and field kitchens still in place today.
Post war photograph of naval direction finding tower MP1 at Chouet which fell into the quarry in 1991.
Post war photograph of naval direction finding tower MP1 at Chouet which fell into the quarry in 1991.
Post war photograph of naval direction finding tower MP1 at Chouet which fell into the quarry in 1991.
Post war photograph of Army direction finding tower M5 at Le Prevote. The structure was cladded externally with granite sets during the war which has since been removed leaving the bare concrete of the structure exposed.
The German naval Tower at Chouet, Vale, designated MP 1 (Marine Peilständ und Messtellung 1). The tower fell into Mont Chouet Quarry on 22nd March, 1991. The German Army Artillery range-finding position M2 (Mebstelle 2), at the front of the tower, had fallen some years earlier in 1982.
Section of concrete inscribed by the British Army with '224 Works Section RE 1945' located at St Peter Port harbour. Note RE is an abbreviation for Royal Engineers.