You can read more about Major Chambers attempt to communicate with the island Kommandant here.

If you want to purchase a copy of my book or find out more pleasse go here.

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You can find out more about the occupation on Nick’s website Island Fortress here.

Thanks to Gnet Radio for recording the podcast and thanks to Jim Delbridge for the use of his song ‘5 to 7’ as our theme.

As August 1944 unfolded, residents of the Channel Islands found themselves in a precarious situation, balancing between hope and despair as they awaited the Allies' arrival. This month’s episode of Islands at War dives deep into the daily lives and concerns of the islanders, as narrated through various diaries and first hand accounts.

A Return from Silence

It’s been a while since our last episode, and in that time, both Keith and Nick have been busy. From tour guiding to research, they’ve gathered fascinating insights to share with you. As they reconnect, Keith expresses gratitude for the listeners’ continued interest, saying, "It's nice that people have actually been inquiring as to when this part two of August nineteen forty-four is going to be out."

The State of the Islands

By mid-August, islanders were coming to terms with a grim reality. As Keith notes, "The Islanders had sort of come to the conclusion that the Allies were going to sort of hove into view soon. They’re probably going to face another winter." There was a profound sense of disappointment and uncertainty, as the anticipated liberation seemed to linger just out of reach.

Diary Insights

The episode highlights the poignant entries from various diarists, including Mr. Le Sauteur from Jersey. He recorded the frustrations felt by Americans in St. Malo, stating, "The Americans are fed up playing around St. Malo." This was a time of escalating tensions, with heavy bombardments affecting both sides and the island’s inhabitants caught in the crossfire.

Life Under Occupation

The conversation shifts to the conditions faced by islanders, including food shortages and the psychological toll of war. Nick remarks on the severe rations, emphasizing, "The vegetable diet is primarily what they're down to at this point... hardly any meat." The impact of malnutrition is palpable, with residents experiencing significant weight loss.

The German Perspective

The episode also delves into the mindset of German officers as they grapple with the impending doom of their regime. As Keith points out, "The prospect of the looming gallows distorts things for everybody." This reflects the anxiety and fear that permeated through ranks as the war began to turn against them.

A Glimpse into the Future

Despite the dire circumstances, there is a flicker of hope. Violet Carey, another diarist, captures the restless excitement among islanders, noting, "People are living on their nerves far more than they would have been up to this time." With aerial activity increasing and the Allies closing in, the atmosphere is thick with anticipation.

As we reflect on this tumultuous period, it’s clear that the stories of the Channel Islands during August 1944 are not just about survival, but about resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

To hear more firsthand accounts and insights from this pivotal moment in history, listen to the full episode of Islands at War.

You can find Nick's new website here

Send us Fan Mail

If you use the send us a text option and would like us to contact you please leave a contact method such as an email.

Follow us on Twitter here or Facebook here.

If you want to email in a question send it to occupied@gnetradio.com.

You can find out more about the occupation on Nick’s website Island Fortress here.

Thanks to Gnet Radio for recording the podcast and thanks to Jim Delbridge for the use of his song ‘5 to 7’ as our theme.

In this episode we introduce a new diary, Baron Hans Max Baron von und zu Aufsess, you can get his diaries here.

His diary chronicles in detail his dealings with the civilian population, his ‘parishioners’ as he called them, and with the leading island politicians in Jersey and Guernsey. There were disagreements and wrangles but by and large Aufsess managed to oversee an occupation considerably less oppressive than any other in Europe.

The Escape of Graham Buckingham.

One of the most gripping stories from the diaries is that of Graham Buckingham, a local footballer sentenced to two years imprisonment for theft. His daring escape from German custody highlights the desperation and resourcefulness of those living under occupation. After evading capture, he sought refuge with local families, navigating a treacherous landscape fraught with danger. His story illustrates the lengths individuals would go to in order to resist oppression and maintain their freedom.

HMS Rodney shells Alderney. Watch it here

We run through events of the month day by day.

Nicks book "Tides of Defiance" can be purchased here

Send us Fan Mail

If you use the send us a text option and would like us to contact you please leave a contact method such as an email.

Follow us on Twitter here or Facebook here.

If you want to email in a question send it to occupied@gnetradio.com.

You can find out more about the occupation on Nick’s website Island Fortress here.

Thanks to Gnet Radio for recording the podcast and thanks to Jim Delbridge for the use of his song ‘5 to 7’ as our theme.