My grandfather, Eric Snelling was the man who managed the Regal and Lyric cinemas. His wife and their two sons were sent to the mainland to live with family, while my grandfather stayed on Guernsey. When I visited Guernsey back in 2006 I went to the archives and found the form my grandfather had completed when the Germans occupied Guernsey. My Dad shared many stories of what happened during that time. I've only just found out about this book and I'm looking forward to reading the book.
My mother and father were both from jersey and went through the occupation, heard many stories from dad about the struggles they went through and seeing germans everywhere, very little food and and the ever present danger of been caught steeling food scraps from rubbish bins, i think it effected them both later in life.
What an extraordinary story. The first I time I had found out about the islands being invaded was watching The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and the story really captivated me. Listening to tonight’s show was fascinating. There is such a range of human experience in this story, absolutely unique. Thank you Paul and Duncan for arranging this, take care!
I'm not a novel reader normally, out that historical novel is so well done and researched I loved it! A great way to learn about the occupation and resistance without the dryness of non-fiction.
Paul, Thanks very much for this deeply interesting talk with Duncan on the occupation of the Channel islands-the only part of Britain taken by the Germans in WW11. Among topics discussed were the ambivalence of the British government to the defence of the islands and the resulting resentment of islanders to Churchill. Also the simple daily interaction between the occupied and their occupiers, and the 'getting by' which ordinary people had to indulge in. The tale of the initial German bombing added a sharp tone to this often overlooked story. Very well done indeed!
I was reviewing the Channel Islands at War Week presentations and realized that I never left a comment after this very well done show. The "Variety Shows" section at 52:23 reminded me of Shakespeare's Play Hamlet Act 2, Scene 2 when Hamlet exclaims: " I'll have grounds. More relative than this-the play's the thing; Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." This was a well done presentation which showed that many channel Islanders responded in a very "British" way by escaping into their love of theater-the English spoken word is a weapon in its own right IMHO. I only have to read "Beowulf" to understand the importance of prose to the English. It is a potent propaganda. I also appreciate Duncan's remarks about Admiral Hüffmeier as it coincides with my own research into the Granville Raid in 1945. What a piece of work was that man!
Absolutely fantastic show. Both interviewer and interviewee gave off so many important and refreshing insights. I speak as someone who grew up in Guernsey in the 60’s and 70’s with parents who were there as young adults for the duration of the German occupation, so I know something about it. Well done both of you. This is important work you are doing because it’s all about people, the quality of human understanding and the importance of history to this understanding.
A great presentation from Duncan covering an aspect of the German occupation of Europe that is rarely discussed in mainland UK even now. The issues Duncan goes into regarding the difference between perceived 'collaboration' by the locals and them just trying to get by still grate on raw nerves here. Great show that I was sorry to miss live.
Great show. I have virtually no prior understanding of this facet of WW2 so this was a wonderful introduction. Loved the personal stories reflecting conflicting emotions/perspectives amongst the occupied inhabitants.
Excellent presentation. I recall seeing a poster of a German soldier holding up a mug of Guinness as a tost. Reported to be outside of a pub in Gernsy.
This was an enjoyable topic. Really enjoyed it. The story about the young man singing and breaking down because his parents had just been deported, and the solidarity among the audience was very touching. I seem to get dust in my eyes almost every time I listen to one of your videos anymore. Woody, I certainly appreciate your work.
Woody /Duncan. Fabulous presentation. Very informative. This is one of the great traits with WW2TV, different and u usual topics from different angles! Thanks to you both! Bob
My Nanna was evacuated from the Channel Islands as a young girl with her siblings & Mother. She would not talk about the things she saw. Her father was a soldier and was gassed in one of the many chambers by the Germans.
I have seen several interesting short TV productions and perhaps one movie on the occupation of the Channel Islands. I don't know whether they were truly "historical" but they were quite interesting. I don't know if they are still available on streaming services but they are a rousing good watch if you can find them.
My father went through the occupation and every time I visited the island, even 50 years after the war, he would point out houses where a Gerry bag had lived. The locals never forgot. That's one reason they hated the Potato Peel film, which was completely opposite to the actual experience.
Another short story. My aunt was a young girl during the war and was stuck in Guernsey. Her father was English but was not sent to a camp in Germany because he was a grower and the Germans needed his food. My family took out adoption papers for her with a local neighbour's family, just in case the father was forced into a camp, as she was too young to stay in Guernsey without her family. Just one of many stories of the occupation.
I see that several comments mention a film, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I would warn you if you don't know: the film is entertaining, but historically has flaws. And the "local" scenes are not filmed in Guernsey. The main town of the island is St Peter Port, but the scenes supposed to be in the town are in fact filmed in Clovelly in Devon! Anyone who knows Guernsey will have choked at the sight.
One question I have that is not completely answered is why did 1/2 the population not obey the evacuation order? Why did they stay? In the case of a minister and a doctor, they stayed because they wanted to be of service to the others who stayed. In another case, a Jewish refugee from Vienna did not have British Citizenship, and she was not allowed to evacuate to the UK mainland -- she was deported by the Germans a Jew and died in a concentration camp. Some men sent their families away, but stayed on themselves. But most of the people, ordinary Islanders, why did they stay when they knew it probably meant living under German occupation? They had not the means to mount any meaningful resistance.
I lived in Gsy for 6 years. And met many folk with wartime connections. Actually around four Jewish people were deported to the camps from Gsy including the lady mentioned. None that I know survived. The circumstances surrounding their deportation are , shall we say, murky. Very sad. I recall a business colleague on a short visit ,mentioned to me that his grandfather had served in the occupying forces .. I told him "best not to share your family history"😊😅
Since the British army had deliberately been withdrawn from the islands and any attempt to defend them abandoned at the beginning of the war, it was unconscionable of the British authorities to later militarize the islands by sending in commandos to perform the kind of acts that would bring down retribution on the local people.
My grandfather, Eric Snelling was the man who managed the Regal and Lyric cinemas. His wife and their two sons were sent to the mainland to live with family, while my grandfather stayed on Guernsey. When I visited Guernsey back in 2006 I went to the archives and found the form my grandfather had completed when the Germans occupied Guernsey.
My Dad shared many stories of what happened during that time.
I've only just found out about this book and I'm looking forward to reading the book.
My mother and father were both from jersey and went through the occupation, heard many stories from dad about the struggles they went through and seeing germans everywhere, very little food and and the ever present danger of been caught steeling food scraps from rubbish bins, i think it effected them both later in life.
What an extraordinary story. The first I time I had found out about the islands being invaded was watching The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and the story really captivated me. Listening to tonight’s show was fascinating. There is such a range of human experience in this story, absolutely unique. Thank you Paul and Duncan for arranging this, take care!
If you're interested in the subject I recommend one of the many non-fiction books.
I'm not a novel reader normally, out that historical novel is so well done and researched I loved it! A great way to learn about the occupation and resistance without the dryness of non-fiction.
Paul,
Thanks very much for this deeply interesting talk with Duncan on the occupation of the Channel islands-the only part of Britain taken by the Germans in WW11. Among topics discussed were the ambivalence of the British government to the defence of the islands and the resulting resentment of islanders to Churchill. Also the simple daily interaction between the occupied and their occupiers, and the 'getting by' which ordinary people had to indulge in. The tale of the initial German bombing added a sharp tone to this often overlooked story. Very well done indeed!
I was reviewing the Channel Islands at War Week presentations and realized that I never left a comment after this very well done show. The "Variety Shows" section at 52:23 reminded me of Shakespeare's Play Hamlet Act 2, Scene 2 when Hamlet exclaims: " I'll have grounds. More relative than this-the play's the thing; Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." This was a well done presentation which showed that many channel Islanders responded in a very "British" way by escaping into their love of theater-the English spoken word is a weapon in its own right IMHO. I only have to read "Beowulf" to understand the importance of prose to the English. It is a potent propaganda. I also appreciate Duncan's remarks about Admiral Hüffmeier as it coincides with my own research into the Granville Raid in 1945. What a piece of work was that man!
Absolutely fantastic show. Both interviewer and interviewee gave off so many important and refreshing insights. I speak as someone who grew up in Guernsey in the 60’s and 70’s with parents who were there as young adults for the duration of the German occupation, so I know something about it. Well done both of you. This is important work you are doing because it’s all about people, the quality of human understanding and the importance of history to this understanding.
A great presentation from Duncan covering an aspect of the German occupation of Europe that is rarely discussed in mainland UK even now. The issues Duncan goes into regarding the difference between perceived 'collaboration' by the locals and them just trying to get by still grate on raw nerves here. Great show that I was sorry to miss live.
Howdy folks. Loved this great show about a time and place in WW2 that I knew little about. Extraordinary story, well told by a real expert.
Another fascinating talk from WW2 TV. Thanks so much for hosting this engaging speaker.
Great show. Very interesting show on the often forgotten majority of the war, the civilians.
Just watched Duncan’s presentation today, a brilliant insight into the Channel Islands occupation, thanks Paul and Duncan
Wonderful, brilliant insight. One of your most fascinating guests. I was sorry that it had to end!
Great show. I have virtually no prior understanding of this facet of WW2 so this was a wonderful introduction. Loved the personal stories reflecting conflicting emotions/perspectives amongst the occupied inhabitants.
Excellent presentation. I recall seeing a poster of a German soldier holding up a mug of Guinness as a tost. Reported to be outside of a pub in Gernsy.
This was an enjoyable topic. Really enjoyed it. The story about the young man singing and breaking down because his parents had just been deported, and the solidarity among the audience was very touching. I seem to get dust in my eyes almost every time I listen to one of your videos anymore.
Woody, I certainly appreciate your work.
Many thanks for a wonderful presentation. Fantastic research from Duncan. Look forward to seeing him back again
Our pleasure! and I'm sure he will be back
Woody /Duncan. Fabulous presentation. Very informative. This is one of the great traits with WW2TV, different and u usual topics from different angles! Thanks to you both! Bob
Unusual!!!
Excellent topic and guest. Can’t wait to read more about this. Great interview!
My Nanna was evacuated from the Channel Islands as a young girl with her siblings & Mother. She would not talk about the things she saw. Her father was a soldier and was gassed in one of the many chambers by the Germans.
Very interesting! This channel is brilliant! So many fascinating presentations!
Thank you very much!
I have seen several interesting short TV productions and perhaps one movie on the occupation of the Channel Islands. I don't know whether they were truly "historical" but they were quite interesting. I don't know if they are still available on streaming services but they are a rousing good watch if you can find them.
My wife's grandparents lived in Guernsey through the occupation. Some of her stories were interesting.
My father went through the occupation and every time I visited the island, even 50 years after the war, he would point out houses where a Gerry bag had lived. The locals never forgot. That's one reason they hated the Potato Peel film, which was completely opposite to the actual experience.
Another short story. My aunt was a young girl during the war and was stuck in Guernsey. Her father was English but was not sent to a camp in Germany because he was a grower and the Germans needed his food. My family took out adoption papers for her with a local neighbour's family, just in case the father was forced into a camp, as she was too young to stay in Guernsey without her family. Just one of many stories of the occupation.
I see that several comments mention a film, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I would warn you if you don't know: the film is entertaining, but historically has flaws.
And the "local" scenes are not filmed in Guernsey. The main town of the island is
St Peter Port, but the scenes supposed to be in the town are in fact filmed in Clovelly in Devon! Anyone who knows Guernsey will have choked at the sight.
Yes, it was said in the comments that the book is great but the film isn't
Same issue with the film 'Another Mother's Son', set in Jersey but filmed in Somerset.
Brilliant
Roy Burton looked so young in his identity card.
One question I have that is not completely answered is why did 1/2 the population not obey the evacuation order? Why did they stay? In the case of a minister and a doctor, they stayed because they wanted to be of service to the others who stayed. In another case, a Jewish refugee from Vienna did not have British Citizenship, and she was not allowed to evacuate to the UK mainland -- she was deported by the Germans a Jew and died in a concentration camp. Some men sent their families away, but stayed on themselves. But most of the people, ordinary Islanders, why did they stay when they knew it probably meant living under German occupation? They had not the means to mount any meaningful resistance.
That I don't know, hopefully Duncan will see this
I lived in Gsy for 6 years. And met many folk with wartime connections. Actually around four Jewish people were deported to the camps from Gsy including the lady mentioned. None that I know survived. The circumstances surrounding their deportation are , shall we say, murky. Very sad.
I recall a business colleague on a short visit ,mentioned to me that his grandfather had served in the occupying forces .. I told him "best not to share your family history"😊😅
My grandfather was seen as a collaborator. What people didnt know, is that he ran a ham radio!
They did what they needed to do to survive.
Since the British army had deliberately been withdrawn from the islands and any attempt to defend them abandoned at the beginning of the war, it was unconscionable of the British authorities to later militarize the islands by sending in commandos to perform the kind of acts that would bring down retribution on the local people.
My family were there. You need to read the book - "There Is An Occupation" by Miriam Mahy.
Thanks, or indeed Duncan's book
Where were the British born deported to? Back to Britain?
Yes
I think it was in 1942 a lot of brits were deported to several camps in Germany not back to Britain.
I'm Scott Fawcett, some of my family stayed on the ilse
If anyone wants to order the book, you can do so here: amzn.to/3BPVhsP