From the 13th to the 19th May, 1945 the majority of the German garrison were evacuated to POW camps in the UK. Here, German POWs are driven down to West Park, Jersey by DUKW.
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.
On the afternoon of 9th May, 1945, the first detachment of troops of Task Force 135, led by Colonel Robinson, landed at the Albert Pier. After marching to the Weighbridge, they set up their headquarters at the Pomme d'Or Hotel. Upon their arrival, the Harbourmaster, Captain Richmond, hoisted the Union Flag over the balcony.
Crowds gather outside the harbour office in St Helier, Jersey on 9th May 1945 to witness a large Union Flag being draped from the first floor by Surgeon-Lieutenant McDonald with the assistance of Sub-Lieutenant David Milne.
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.
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.
DUKWs from 1758 Independent Platoon, Royal Army Service Corps, came ashore at the Old Lifeboat Station Slip on Saturday 12th May, 1945. They drove along Commercial Buildings and initially parked in the Transit Area at the Weighbridge.
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.
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.
During the Occupation the German forces excavated numerous tunnels in Guernsey, these were used for various purposes and many still survive today. Shown here is the southern end of the main gallery with a half track body section in the foreground. The tunnel on the left leads to the central entrance of the complex and the right to the storage area where may limbers and field kitchens survive.
Post war photograph of the direction finding tower MP2 at La Corbiere, Jersey. The tower was constructed in reinforced concrete and camouflaged to look like it was constructed in stonework in an effort to resemble one of the many Napoleonic period towers that were sited around Jersey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Doyle Monument, Jerbourg. The road approaching is blocked by boulders placed by Commandos during Operation Ambassador in July 1940.
Photographed from the vicinity of the Imperial hotel on 8th June 1941, this view of Rocquaine Bay shows its most obvious feature, Fort Grey. Known to locals as the 'Cup and Saucer’ an interesting feature is the Martello Tower painted white as this was subsequently camouflaged by the Germans. This Photograph is from a small collection of six taken by an unknown German soldier posted to Guernsey in 1941 with 319 Infantry Division.
Castle Cornet viewed from the White Rock on 9th April 1941. No German defence works are built yet, though of interest are the antennas surmounting Castle Cornet, the chimneys seen left removed post war and other structures also removed. This Photograph is from a small collection of six taken by an unknown German soldier posted to Guernsey in 1941 with 319 Infantry Division.
The arrival of a 22cm gun battery at the White Rock, St Peter Port ready for transportation to the gun site. The guns could be disassembled into several lighter loads to facilitate movement if heavy tractors were unavailable. Note the anti-landing poles on the granite wall to prevent enemy landings.
Post war photograph showing several structures of Batterie Steinbruch prior to their removal during the quarry expansion at Les Vardes, St Sampson.
Post war photograph showing several structures of Batterie Steinbruch prior to their removal during the quarry expansion at Les Vardes, St Sampson.
Barrel recovered from Brehon Tower, note that the sign suggests that it is a 88mm gun but is in fact a 10.5cm K331(f) gun.
Barrel recovered from Brehon Tower, note that the sign suggests that it is a 88mm gun but is in fact a 10.5cm K331(f) gun.
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.
This distinctive building was known as the 'Paper House’ and was constructed of lightweight materials resembling paper. The building was situated on a vinery at Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey which formed part of Batterie Elefant. The Germans built a fire control and observation tower alongside the building which was draped in camouflage. The 'Paper House’ was demolished in 1978.