That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
The first world war ended in 1918, with everyone hoping that really would prove to be the last Great War. However it wasn't long before things started to go wrong again in Europe. Adolf Hitler had fought in the first war, and hated the fact that Germany had been defeated. In 1933 Hitler became the Chancellor (the head of the German government). Under Hitler, the Nazi party took all the power, and Hitler effectively became a dictator.
With no opposition allowed within Germany, Hitler started to achieve two of his plans. One was the extermination of Jews, and concentration camps were set up. The other was to gain control of Europe.
He started to take over Europe by invading Austria in 1938; this was a German-speaking nation, and some other European nations felt this was a reasonable arrangement, and that the Austrians were probably reasonably happy with it.
Next on Hitler's list was Czechoslovakia. He argued that he was protecting the large German minority in Czechoslovakia from discrimination by the majority peoples. By this time, other nations in Europe were watching events anxiously. The British Prime Minister was Neville Chamberlain, and he tried to negotiate with Hitler. However, the agreements were short-lived, and it became obvious that Winston Churchill's concern that Germany was out to take over more and more of Europe was justified.
Hitler threatened Poland in 1939. By this time Britain and France had guaranteed help to the Polish people, in case they were invaded by Germany. In 1939 on 1st September Germany invaded Poland and, after giving an ultimatum to the German leader, Britain declared war on Germany on 3rd September.
For the first eight months military activity was limited, with the British and French relying on defence rather than wanting to attack. The Russians tried to create a buffer zone between the USSR and the aggressive German armies. Then suddenly the whole situation changed.
On 9th April 1940, Germany invaded Norway and Denmark; on 10th May they invaded Belgium and Holland. Also on 10th May Neville Chamberlain resigned as the British Prime Minister, and Winston Churchill formed his wartime government. The Germans broke through into France on 12th May and over the next two weeks they pushed the Allied forces back to the coast near Dunkirk. By late May over half a million Allied troops (British and French) were cut off with the English Channel behind them. Hundreds of ships of all sizes from English ports rescued the stranded troops from 27th May to 3rd June, before Dunkirk fell to the German forces on 4th June 1940.
On 16th June Jersey was asked to send all available craft to help with the evacuation of British troops from St Malo. Twenty small boats volunteered and seven potato boats which were in the harbour were also asked to help. Between them, these boats played an important role in rescuing British soldiers from St Malo, before the Germans took the city.
When the outbreak of war was announced in September 1939 some Englishmen living in Jersey were either called up for military service or volunteered, and they left the Island. Some Jerseymen also volunteered to fight with the British forces, and they too left the Island. As the events of May 1940 unfolded, those living in the island grew more concerned about their future. Many English residents left for England and each available ship left the Island full of evacuees.
Then on 19th June the British government decided that the Channel Islands would become a demilitarized zone. This meant that there would be no British troops on duty in the island, and that if the Germans came, there would be no fighting and the islands would surrender.
Between 19th and 21st June thousands of people had to decide whether to stay or go. The Island Militia was evacuated, and many people registered to leave, but then changed their mind. On the 20th and 21st over 30 ships left the island carrying evacuees. About 13,000 people left the Island. The remaining 40,000 waited anxiously to see what would happen.
The progress of the war was to remain uncertain for the Islanders, although some knowledge was gleaned from BBC broadcasts listened to illegally. The Jersey War Tunnels website gives helpful information on the progress of the war, and in particular this graphic brings it to life. Jersey War Tunnels - War in Europe