BLITZ KIDS: CHANNEL ISLANDS UNDER OCCUPATION

The Blitz Kids worry about their friend Alice, who lives on Jersey in the Channel Islands, the only part of Britain occupied by the Germans during World War II. George remembers holidaying there before the war and wonders what has happened to Alice, as they haven’t received any letters from her.

Meanwhile, Alice keeps a secret diary, describing how life has changed under occupation. At first, people were scared as German soldiers marched through the streets and families were forced to put out white surrender flags.

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Over time, things became harder. Food was scarce, identity cards were issued and the Germans even changed the clocks to their own time! Alice’s school was taken over, so she had to attend a new one where German lessons were compulsory.

Alice and her mum forage for food and trade what little they have, but some people work with the Germans and report their neighbours, making it dangerous to speak freely. One day, British planes drop leaflets with real news, but they must hide them quickly before the Germans find them. With no letters allowed, Alice’s mother and their neighbours build a secret radio hidden under the floorboards to listen to war updates.

As the years pass, life becomes even tougher – no coal, no bicycles, no proper bread, and the winter is freezing. But Alice stays hopeful, playing the piano for her neighbours… and covering up the sound of their secret radio!

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She dreams of freedom and misses her friends, but she doesn’t know how much longer she can endure.

In 1944 the was such a shortage of food that the Red Cross sent food parcels for the Islanders. The Germans troops were ordered by their officers to deliver them… and not take any themselves…

The Channel Islands were liberated on 9th May, 1945 and Alice was finally able to write to George about her experiences.

Next time: The Blitz Kids explore how the war changed entertainment, from the National Gallery to wartime cinema!

More facts…

After the Germans occupied France in 1940, the UK Government decided that the Channel Islands would not be defended and all troops were removed.
Ships were sent to evacuate anyone who wished to leave the island. More than 25,000 islanders registered to leave but many changed their minds and only 6,500 actually left.
1940 – on 28 June the Germans bombed St. Helier harbour and La Rocque, not knowing that the islands were undefended. On 1 July an ultimatum was dropped over the islands – the islanders had to show their willingness to comply by flying white flags. 100 German troops arrived that day and set up defences. The islanders were given orders – a curfew from 11pm to 5am. Within a year, there were over 11,500 Germans troops on the islands.
1942 – in June the Germans required all radios be handed in, and in September announced that all British-born islanders would be deported to Germany – 1,200 people in all.
Informants – People would send letters to the German Commander informing on other islanders who were selling or hoarding food, helping escaped slave workers or even just listening to the radio! The post office tried to intercept as many letters as they could – steaming them open and telling those who were being informed so they could destroy any evidence.
1944 – on 6 June islander were awaken by the drone of aircraft overhead. The Allies were storming the beaches of northern France. Whilst they hoped for the troops to rescue them, they would have to wait for another year. By November islanders faced starvation. The Germans insisted it was not their responsibility to feed the islanders, whilst the UK government refused to send food. In December 1944, the Red Cross delivered 100,000 food parcels containing such forgotten delicacies as tea, coffee, biscuits, chocolate, marmalade, cheese and tinned meat on board the SS Vega. These were for the islanders, and there were none for the Germans! The Red Cross made six further trips to Jersey, keeping islanders supplied.
1945 – on 8 May two Royal Navy destroyers arrived and on 9 May a declaration of unconditional surrender was signed. Celebrations lasted for several days, with people singing and dancing in the streets.