Historical Sites (20th Century)

The best-preserved collection of German Second World War defence works in Western Europe During the Occupation the Germans fortified the Islands out of all proportion to their strategic value, in order to fulfil Hitler's personal directive that they be turned into "impregnable fortresses". Hitler was obsessed with the idea that the Allies would try to regain the islands at any price, and issued "Construction Orders" that resulted in over 20% of the material that went into the so-called 'Atlantic Wall' – a line of massive defence works which stretched from the Baltic to the Spanish frontier – being committed to the Channel Islands.

The Channel Islands Military Museum Features German And Civilian Memorabilia, Giving An Insight Into The German Occupation Of Jersey And Housed In A Real German Bunker! Come And Witness Wartime Jersey And What Life Was Like During The Occupation.

Liberation Day is celebrated each year on 9 May, to mark the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II. It is celebrated as Jersey’s national day. On 9 May 1945, HMS Beagle, which had set out from Plymouth, arrived in Jersey to accept the surrender of the occupying forces. Two naval officers, Surgeon Lieutenant Ronald McDonald and Sub Lieutenant R Milne, were met by the Harbour Master who escorted them to the Harbour Master’s Office where they together hoisted the Union Flag, before also raising it on the flagstaff of the Pomme D’Or Hotel.

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