CHANNEL ISLANDS |
Occupation
Introduction
So much has been written about the Occupation that this can be no more than a brief outline of those dark years in an enemy-occupied Island.
The first part of our Occupation pages gives an introduction to the main themes, and gives ideas for other resources.
The second part of this section recalls the escape made by Denis Vibert in 1941, and records his report on conditions in Jersey as it was circulated to Jersey people who had been evacuated to England.
The beginning of the war
What happened after World War 1? Who was Hitler? What was he trying to do?
The arrival of the German forces
When did the German soldiers arrive? What did they do?
German defences
How did the Germans fortify Jersey? Why did they build tunnels? Who did all the hard building work?
Employment of the local population
How did people find work? Who paid them? Did they have to work for the Germans?
Movement of people
How many German soldiers came to Jersey? Who were the slave workers? Why were people deported?
What about the children?
What about school? Did children really have to learn German? Did they have any toys?
Living without
What food did they have? How did they get news from England? Why did the Red Cross ship have to come?
Liberation
How long did they have to wait? How was the Island liberated? Who cleared up after the German forces?
Memorials
Where can we find memorials to what happened? What do they mean? What is the Occupation Tapestry? What does it show?
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The information given by Denis Vibert in his report gives us a picture of life in Jersey at the time that he left. He was most insistent that no mention of his name or escape be made in messages to Jersey. Such information would have created significant problems for fellow Islanders and would have resulted in harsh treatment of friends and family still in the Island. Denis Vibert was aged 22 at the time of his escape.
The original document made clear that the information given was sensitive and to be guarded carefully.
"THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS
FOR PRIVATE INTEREST ONLY AND MUST NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICATION IN ANY FORM WHATSOEVER"
"IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT NO MENTION
SHOULD BE MADE IN MESSAGES TO JERSEY OF THE
NAME OF DENIS VIBERT OR OF HIS ESCAPE"
Denis Vibert's escape
Why did his first attempt fail? When did he try again? What problems did he face on his second attempt? Where did he escape to?
Conditions in Jersey 1941
When Denis Vibert arrived safely in England, he spoke about the living conditions of those he had left behind. His reports were written down and circulated privately. If any word of his successful escape had reached the German authorities, life would have become much more difficult for everyone left in Jersey. For this reason typewritten copies of his reports carried several warnings to remind people in England not to say anything in their messages to friends and relatives back home.
Post evacuation and occupation period
What happened in the first few months after the Germans arrived? What happened to the houses of people who had been evacuated?
The military occupation
When did the bombs fall? When did the first German forces arrive? What rules did the Germans make?
Local government
How did the States get on with the German authorities? Could they still do their usual work?
Finance
What happened about money? How did people get paid? Where did the money come from?
Agriculture and farming
How did the farmers manage? What about the potato harvest? Who decided what crops should be grown?
The food situation
What did people eat? How much food was each person allowed? What did the Germans eat?
Fuel and clothing situation
How was the electricity supply? What did people wear? How did they get new clothes?
The barter and black markets and scarcity values
What was the bartering system? What things were scarce? And could you really have anything you wanted if you were rich?
Transport
What happened to the cars? Why was there no petrol? Who was allowed to travel? Which side of the road did they drive on?
The German military
How many soldiers were there? Where did they live? What changes did they make to the airport?
General items
What about dances? church? newspapers? low-water fishing? films at the cinema?
Guernsey and Alderney
What was life like on the other Channel Islands? Was there any contact with them?
Conclusion
"IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT NO MENTION
SHOULD BE MADE IN MESSAGES TO JERSEY OF THE
NAME OF DENIS VIBERT OR OF HIS ESCAPE"
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- German forces
- Old photos and books showing German soldiers in the Island
- Talk to older people you know, and ask them what they can remember of the Occupation
- Employment
- German building projects made in concrete
- The North Road along the coast built by Islanders
- Movement of people
- Memorials to those who escaped, were deported, who died in war
- Children
- Ask about schools during the Occupation
- Ask about toys and games
- Games and toys you could make if you had lived then
- Living without
- Red Cross messages
- Memorials to the S S Vega at the harbour and in the Royal Square
- Memorials
- Memorials around the Island
- Jersey flags flying on Liberation Day
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