[2] Grouville "Occupation"

The "Phoney War" ends abruptly with the German invasion of Norway and Denmark in April 1940 and of Belgium, Holland and France in May. On July 1940 the Germans arrive in the island.

The German ultimatum demands that white crosses of surrender be painted in prominant places such as the Royal Square and the Airport. The Attorney General, CW Duret Aubin, is amoung the Crown Officers who meet the German invaders at the States Airport on the mroning of 1 July 1940. The Town Hall, "der Rathaus" in German, becomes a favourite site for propaganda photographs of German troops and British policemen. A common sight all over Europe, a Germen soldier keeps watch. In the background is the Observation Tower at La Corbiere which is built as part of the 1941-44 fortification programme. By May 1945 over 67,000 mines have been laid around the Island. Much of the fortification work is carried out by the Organisation Todt which uses up to 6,000 slave workers, mainly Russians and Spanish Republicans. British Intelligence estimate the death rate amoungst slave workers to be 40%. The family watches as german troops of the 216 Infantry Division march through St.Helier.

Please click on the ear to hear a description of the panel above.

1. Trinity

2. Grouville

3. St.Helier

4. St.Peter

5. St.Saviour

6. St.Lawrence

7. St.Ouen

8. St.Brelade

9. St.Mary

10. St.John

11. St.Martin

12. St.Clement