When The Germans Came

by Duncan Barrett

In the summer of 1940, Britain stood perilously close to invasion. One by one, the nations of Europe had fallen to the unstoppable German Blitzkrieg, and Hitler's sights were set on the English coast. And yet, following the success of the Battle of Britain, the promised invasion never came. The prospect of German jackboots landing on British soil retreated into the realm of collective nightmares. But the spectre of what might have been is one that has haunted us down the decades, finding expression in counterfactual history and outlandish fictions. What would a British occupation have looked like?

The answer lies closer to home than we think, in the experiences of the Channel Islanders - the only British people to bear the full brunt of German Occupation. For five years, our nightmares became their everyday reality.
The people of Guernsey, Jersey and Sark got to know the enemy as those on the mainland never could, watching in horror as their towns and villages were suddenly draped in Swastika flags, their cinemas began showing Nazi propaganda films, and Wehrmacht soldiers goose-stepped down their highstreets.

Those who resisted the regime, such as the brave men and women who set up underground newspapers or sheltered slave labourers, encountered the full force of Nazi brutality. But in the main, the Channel Islands occupation was a `model' one, a prototype for how the Fuhrer planned to run mainland Britain. As a result, the stories of the islanders are not all misery and terror. Many, in fact are rather funny - tales of plucky individuals trying to get by in almost impossible circumstances, and keeping their spirits up however they could. Unlike their compatriots on the mainland, the islanders had no Blitz to contend with, but they met the thousand other challenges the war brought with a similar indomitable spirit.

The story of the Channel Islands during the war is the history that could so nearly have come to pass for the rest of us. Based on interviews with over a hundred islanders who lived through it, this book tells that story from beginning to end, opening the lid on life in Hitler's British Isles.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II

413 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2018

About the author

Duncan grew up in London and read English at Jesus College, Cambridge. He is the editor of Ronald Skirth's First World War memoir The Reluctant Tommy (Macmillan, 2010) and co-author of Star Trek: The Human Frontier (Polity, 2000) and Zippy and Me: The Remarkable Life in Puppets of Rainbow's Ronnie Le Drew (forthcoming, 2011). He also works as an actor and occasional theatre director.

Reviews

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eletään vuotta 1940. Saksalaiset ovat valloittaneet Länsi-Euroopan Englantia lukuunottamatta. Koko Englantia? Tarkemmin ottaen, pienet Kanaalisaaret eivät pidä enää puoliaan miehittäjiä vastaan. Elämä ei ole aina helppoa Jerseyn, Guernseyn ja Sarkin saarilla...

No niin, vitsit sikseen. Duncan Barrettin "Hitler's British Islands" (Simon & Schuster, 2018) on erinomainen tietokirja, joka käsittelee toisen maailmansodan kenties vähemmän tunnettua lukua. Saksalaiset onnistuivat valloittamaan Britannian kruunun alaisuuteen kuuluvat Kanaalisaaret ilman vastarintaa. Churchillin kuuluisasta puheesta huolimatta rannoilla, pelloilla ja kaduilla ei taisteltu, sillä armeija piti saarien puolustamista käytännössä mahdottomana. Siviiliväestöä pyrittiin evakuoimaan pois miehittäjien jaloista, mutta moni myös jäi aloilleen, epätietoisena tulevasta. Saksalaiset pommittivat saaria ennen miehitystä, mikä vaati lukuisia kuolonuhreja.

Barrett kuvailee kirjassaan siviiliväestön ja miehittäjien yhteiseloa, joka vuosien saatossa ehti saada hyvin monipuolisia sävyjä. Saksalaiset pyrkivät itse esiintymään mallikelpoisesti, sillä Kanaalisaaria pidettiin melkoisena propagandavoittona, ja kuri miehitysjoukkojen keskuudessa oli tiukkaa. Siviiliväestöön kohdistuneista rikoksista seurauksena saattoi olla kuolemantuomio. Suurin osa saksalaisista komentajista oli olosuhteet huomioon ottaen varsin leppoisaa väkeä.

Lapset ihailivat ainakin aluksi miehittäjien reippaita otteita ja komeita univormuja, mutta myös aikuisväestö joutui aika ajoin tarkistamaan mielipiteitään miehittäjistä. Lopussa saatettiin yhdessä huokaista sodan päättymisen johdosta.

Saksalaisten ja paikallisten välille syntyi rakkaussuhteita, joiden taustalla saattoi löytyä niin syviä tunteita kuin pelkkä halu parantaa elinolosuhteita. Sitä ei aina katsottu hyvällä, ja sodan jälkeen monet naisista joutuivat nöyryytetyiksi ja joutuivat kenties kasvattamaan jälkikasvunsa yksin. Barrettin kuvauksen mukaan miehitysaikana syntyi myös kauniita ja koko elämän mittaisia rakkaussuhteita.

Vastarinnasta ja sääntöjen rikkomisesta seuranneet rangaistustoimenpiteet saattoivat toisaalta olla saarelaisille hyvin ankaria. Saarelaisille tulivat mantereen vankilat tutuiksi, ja muutamien taival päättyi Auschwitzin kaltaisiin paikkoihin. Lisäksi saarilla toimi myös leirejä, joissa itäeurooppalaiset työläiset joutuivat kohtaamaan epäinhimillistä kohtelua.

Negatiivisesti väleihin vaikuttivat myös radioiden takavarikointi, brittiväestön pakkosiirrot sekä saksalaisen lääkärin murha. Viimeksi mainitun rikoksen tutkiminen on eräs kirjan jännittävimmistä luvuista, ja juoni on loppuhuipennusta myöten kuin parhaasta dekkarista.

Normandian maihinnousun jälkeen Kanaalisaaret jäivät rintaman taakse mottiin. Saksalaiset eivät antautuneet ennen virallista aselepopäivää, minkä seurauksena asukkaat ja miehitysjoukot joutuivat kärsimään suoranaisesta nälänhädästä. Vallankaappaussuunnitelmat olivat vireillä, mutta samaan aikaan Hitlerin kuultiin tehneen itsemurhan.

Suosittelisin kirjaa kaikille, jotka haluavat lukea toista maailmansotaa käsittelevän kirjan, mutta eivät ole niinkään kiinnostuneita taisteluista vaan ihan tavallisten miesten, naisten ja lapsien elämästä hyvin poikkeuksellisten olojen keskellä. Aina voi myös itse miettiä, miten olisikaan itse sopeutunut elämään vieraan vallan alla.

Lukeminen aiheutti myös lievän matkakuumeen, joten ehkäpä kun tästä maailmanlaajuisesta epidemiasta selvitään, on aika ottaa suunta kohti Kanaalisaaria! Sitä ennen taidan kuitenkin lukea vielä romaanin Kirjallinen piiri perunankuoripaistoksen ystäville.

[Clive Grewcock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unusual comment perhaps, but I would have preferred a better balance between the scant factual time line and the numerous reminiscences and anecdotes (many of which frankly give the impression of having been embellished with time). I would also have been interested in a more in depth exploration of how Channel Islanders view the mainland Britain that withdrew all troops from the islands on the fall of France, failed to alleviate the starvation in the winter of 1944 and only returned to the islands after Doenitz surrendered of behalf of the Third Reich.
In short as a history it seemed shallow and overly focussed on pranks played on the occupiers, many of which seem improbable.

[Thelastwordreview · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Hitler’s forces rampaged across Europe and then finally France fell to the Nazis, Hitler then turned his attention to across the Channel. Mainland Britain prepared for a similar Blitzkrieg but the Channel Islands lay perilously close to the French coastline, it was now apparent that they would be alone and not defended by Britain. In Duncan Barrett’s Hitler’s British Isles this is the definitive account of the Channel Islands five-year occupation by German forces during the war.

Writer Duncan Barrett interviewed over one hundred people on the islands who had direct experience of the war under the Nazis. When it was announced that the Channel Islands would not be defended, an evacuation took place in 1940 of British forces and also many of the children. Though some could not come to terms of being separated from their parents and stayed on despite the fear of what was on the horizon.

It was June 1940 and the Luftwaffe arrived over the islands bombing and strafing many lost their lives during the attacks. The Islanders were not in a position to fight back. The occupation had begun and the Channel Islands were now under Nazi control. These are British Islands and they had been invaded. Over on the mainland the Battle of Britain was about to begin.
Many on the islands had their homes taken over and families had to move out. The effects of the invasion now came into force. Food was rationed and as the war went on food was scarce and the inhabitants went hungry.

At first those that represented the islanders co-operated with their occupiers. Many of the German soldiers believed the war would be over very quickly, but after the Battle of Britain they knew they were on the Islands for some years. Many of the German soldiers believed that being on the Islands prevented them later from being sent to the front line when Hitler invaded Russia.
There was a small Jewish population living on the Channel Islands and many went into hiding sadly though many were found and rounded up and sent to concentration camps never to return.
As the war went on it was clear the Nazi command was intent on turning the main Islands into a fortress and the Organisation Todt brought around 15,000 men as slave labourers were brought in from the Eastern Europe and they were badly abused and many died of hunger or killed during the building of the fortresses. One of the sadder stories was that of Louisa Gould who helped some of the men and was caught. Louisa was sent to the infamous Ravensbrück Concentration camp. She was killed in the gas chambers.
By latter part of 1944 the Islanders were starving there was little food remaining and pets were killed to survive. Now Red Cross Parcels started to arrive and just in time.
There are many horrific stories that are uncovered in Barrett’s outstanding book, and as the war ended, some of the Islanders sought justice on those who were a little too close to their German Masters. It was time for retribution.
When the war ended it was a time of trying to pick up the pieces of shattered lives. Many sent to Europe never returned. Then there is the story of a young woman from the Island of Sark who fell in love with a German and when he was sent to England as a prisoner after the war after a number of ‘arranged’ meetings it was clear their love was too strong and they married and then later returned to Sark to live their lives in peace.

Duncan Barrett has well researched the stories of the occupation of the Channel Islands and must be complimented on how well this is set out against the personal stories of those involved. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My Copy was provided by the publisher for review.

[Colin Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched and informative study of he German Occupation of the Channel Islands in the Second World War. Eminently readable, this account of the suffering and privation of the islanders, is at times quite chilling with its stories of deportations and imprisonments and the terrible treatment meted out to the slave labourers used to build Hitler's Atlantic defences. The risks taken by the islanders to maintain their way of life under the shadow of their 'captors' and the lengths that many of them went to defy the German military is quite remarkable. In some cases whilst the relations between the occupiers and the islanders were reasonably civilised, and the actions of some of the troops were generous, there were many occasions when the lives of the locals were threatened. It was interesting to read about the various locations that I'd visited long after the events of the wartime years.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read into the lives of Channel Islanders during the German occupation of World War II. The author has skilfully woven the stories of individual islanders into the narrative, bringing to life the five years of occupation they endured under Nazi rule. As a glimpse of what life might have been like for those on the mainland, had Britain not won the war, it is a sobering read and a significant addition to wartime social history.

[Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this by chance in a bookstore one day, and quickly realised that despite my fascination with WWII, I didn't know anything about this books subject matter: the German occupation of the Channel Islands during the war.

This book tells a narrative of the occupation from 1940 to 1945, put together from an extensive series of interviews from surviving islanders, as well as diaries and memoirs from the time.

Its compelling reading. The book follows an ensemble of characters in detail, full of anecdotes that give a feel for the minutiae of occupation as well as an overall image. I found myself getting irrationally attached to their stories.

Fascinating reading. Absolutely recommend.

[Kay Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society this is a must read. I found this book a fascinating story about what happened during the occupation of the Channel Islands. What the people went through was sad amazing and incredible. Having the photos in the book helped put faces to the people involved and their strength during that time was a credit to them all. The human spirit lives on.

[Connor Sampson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Content Warning: Sexual Assault.

As a general overview of the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands, it does the job fine. It will take you from the arrival of the Nazi troops to their final belated surrender.

This book focuses on the everyday lives of the islanders and some of the occupying soldiers. It does this by interweaving a collection of anecdotes, creating an oddly nostalgic picture of scrappy islanders playing pranks on their Nazi oppressors.

The book gets excited about incidents of "cultural exchange" between the occupied population and the occupying force; it generally leans towards a picture of a world where everyone is just a person trying to live their life. It devotes a significant time to the romance between a Nazi doctor and a local girl, lamenting when the course of events separates them, and celebrating when their relationship survives.

This narrative of love surviving against the odds is problematic. The book freely admits that the doctor worked for the Nazi military brothel which was setup on the island. The brothel itself is described unsympathetically, with the book never attempting to tell the story of the women inside. The book describes how our doctor examines the women for signs of STDs, going on to say:

“Despite being surrounded by half a dozen young women in various stages of undress, Werner told himself that he was there in an official capacity, and mercifully his patients conducted themselves with such an air of cool, polite professionalism that the young man was spared any potential embarrassment.”

Lets think about that for the moment. We're discussing a medical representative of the occupying force, carrying out mandatory examinations on the enslaved women, who are fresh from being assaulted by dozens of men each day. The book feels it necessary to discuss whether this would cause him to become aroused, while the women are simply not worth discussing?

This is the fundamental problem of the book. It wants to portray the occupation as not so bad, but to do so it has to skip over horrendous crimes. It expects me to be invested in whether this brothel-doctor is able to maintain a relationship with a local girl. When describing locals being shipped off to concentration camps, it takes great pains to explain that they sung a lot, got fed, and generally had a better time being shipped to a concentration camp than they would have if they'd just stayed home.

The most generous view of this book is that the author tried to make a narrative about how common humanity could transcend even the horrors of occupation.

The least generous view is as follows; the book frames the occupation of the island as a model of Nazi occupation of Britain. It then portrays the occupation as not great, but generally manageable as long as you don't needlessly attempt to oppose the occupying force. It is actually rather nice if you're into brothel doctors. The message, of course, is that a Nazi occupation of Britain wouldn't have been that bad, because the occupying troops are just like you. It's a terrible point of course, as we can see from the rest of Europe that Nazi occupation was catastrophic.

[Terence S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hitler’s British Isles is a fascinating look at how the Germans occupied the Channel Islands during World War II. Author Duncan Barrett investigates the often overlooked history of the islands’ occupation, and tells the stories of how the residents, and the invaders, spent the war.

I'll admit, I barely knew about the story of the Channel Islands’ military occupation before reading this. I knew that it had happened, but more as an interesting fact of the war than in terms of concrete information. Barrett's book showed not just how the Nazi takeover unfolded, but also sheds light on the human aspect of the occupation. He uses personal accounts from occupation survivors and their families, and historical documents, to tell the stories of collaborators, resistants, opportunists and ordinary people - both local residents and German soldiers - who lived and died in those isolated territories.

Barrett vividly recounts the story of the German occupation, from the first air raid on Guernsey in 1940 to the belated liberation of the islands five years later. He shows both the good and bad sides of the supposed ‘model occupation’, highlighting how some islanders found the German soldiers to be friendly and kind, while others, like the islands’ Jewish residents and people who spoke out against Hitler, suffered the worst of Nazi brutality. Barrett shows how the Nazis attempted to use the Channel Islands as a model for their planned invasion of Britain itself, and how the invaders fought to hold the islands, and win over their residents, when the war turned against them.

However, there are some aspects of this book that could use some improvement. Barrett’s use of personal testimonies shows the human side of the invasion, but this book seems to rely almost entirely on these accounts, some of which do seem as if details have been forgotten or exaggerated over time. Also, I would have liked to see this book link the occupation of the Channel Islands with the overall war a bit more thoroughly. As it was, this book seemed to treat the Channel Islands occupation in isolation, and I feel like tying in some of the events of the wider war and their impacts would have provided context for the events of the occupation.

Overall, Hitler’s British Isles offers a fascinating look at one of World War II’s more obscure theatres of combat. Barrett relates the stories of soldiers and civilians alike to reveal, in intimate detail, what life was like in the only British land Hitler ever conquered. Although Hitler's British Isles isn't exactly a comprehensive history of the Channel Islands campaign, it is still an interesting and very readable story of the Channel Islands occupation, and worth the read if you're into WWII history.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A piece of history largely ignored. The occupations in Europe are far better known and documented.
Herbert Morrison, Home Secretary in the wartime coalition of Winston Churchill, but a Labour MP, allegedly said, as WWII was ending, that he had enough whitewash to cover the Channel Islands. The story of a German occupation of part of the British Isles did not tie in with Churchill’s glorious portrayal of invincibility! Besides, there was an uncomfortable suspicion that the islanders may not have resisted as completely as the Westminster government would have wished.

However, it appears that the UK more or less abandoned the islands to their fate, apart from a few ill planned sorties which only served to worsen conditions.

The occupation began fairly gently- it was intended as a “trailer” for the greater conquest of the UK, but as Hitler’s hopes of an early victory evaporated, the lives of the inhabitants gradually worsened, both in terms of nutrition and in repression.

The author suggests this miniature occupation may be a useful pointer to “what would have happened if...”, a subject which has spawned several novels and films.

Bad things happened, but generally this occupation was rather different from that of nearby France, both in levels of outright collaboration and in armed resistance.

I found it a fascinating story of individuals, occupied and occupiers, slave labour (Operation Todt) during 5 long years.

[Brenda Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad, one of four boys, was evacuated at the age of 6 prior to the German invasion of Guernsey and separated from his parents and his brothers, two of whom stayed behind with his older and youngest brother. I've heard a few of the stories in the book from dad and now completely understand why he'd never eat a turnip and couldn't go back to live on Guernsey. I got the impression that the German soldiers had a pretty nice time in the Channel Islands, apart from a couple of mad episodes when Nazi extremists briefly took hold. It's very interesting, have just experienced a "war without bullets" during the Christchurch earthquakes (see my book You can't rush an earthquake) just how different people respond. Collectively the islanders experienced a four year grieving alongside the restrictions and hardships placed upon them, particularly as they felt abandoned by Churchill, who does not appear to have shared his reasons for simply offering boats to aid evacuation. My dad said that morals disappear when you have to survive and the book shows this, but also the conflict in morals between what is good for the individual vs what is good for the many. I was surprised how Guernsey men and woman were quick to morally judge each other, which may be a function of a small, cliquey society, which may need to have this unity to stay strong. My dad said that the donkey stubbornness that characterised the island culture he knew saw the Germans kicked out, but on reading the book it seems to me that to live on an island you have to have a real sense of identity and a backbone. That certainly shines through. I'm impressed that the author based his book on interviews with over 100 different people and linked these with a timeline in chapters that show how the war was felt here. It gives me some insight into why he and two of his brothers who were evacuated decided to move to New Zealand to start afresh, yet never felt that he was part of the wider community.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duncan Barrett’s When the Germans Came chronicles the barely remembered story of the five year Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. In 1940, despite his soaring rhetoric about pitchforks on the beaches, Churchill ordered the demilitarization of the four islands effectively ceding them and their 90,000 British subjects to the mercies of Nazi Germany. While initially the Germans instituted a relatively light handed rule conditions deteriorated. Food became scarce, deportations and executions expanded and properties were seized as tens of thousands of Wehrmacht soldaten were stationed there. Jews were rounded up and sent to concentration camps, with the cooperation of island authorities. It was a foretaste of what British occupation would have looked like if Hitler had won the Battle of Britain. Fascinating piece of WWII history.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

The first book, and probably the last, I have ever given 5 stars. It is so well constructed and written that, although a series of anecdotes, it comes across as a real, cliffhanging thriller, just as much as any novel. We become so involved with the lives of the protagonists that we await breathlessly finding out whether their eventual fate turns out well, often after terrifying risks and dangers, or tragic. There is also even plenty of humour amongst all this in the way the islanders celebrate narrow escapes. The courage of so many, including lives risked for others, and lost, is awe-inspiring. And the sometimes bittersweet relations with the occupying Germans is instructive. One of the best 'war stories' I have read.

[Roy McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amongst the best general accounts of the Occupation that I've read. The author has produced an excellent overview based both on his reading and by embedding himself in the Channel Islands and seeking out first hand accounts to give some enthralling detail behind the main narrative with which many are familiar. The book leans somewhat towards Guernsey and Sark and, knowing more of the Jersey story, it did provide new insight for me into what happened elsewhere. As to the Jersey accounts I felt it relied overmuch on the Leo Harris and (my hero) Bob Le Sueur's stories but I nit pick. I'd recommend this book to anyone as an excellent, factual and entertaining introduction to those grim years.

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this history of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II, Duncan Barrett takes on one of the most difficult of all literary and historical tasks: to weave a coherent and compelling narrative out of a heap of individual and unrelated stories – and he succeeds remarkably. Barrett manages to make this collection of tales a book that is almost impossible to put down, as well as a portrait of what might have happened had the rest of Britain fallen to the Nazis. It’s an excellent history but an even better story, woven from individual threads expertly interlaced. Highly recommended.

[BrianC75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. In a younger life I worked in Guernsey from 1967 to 1973 on and off. I loved the island. The 'Occupation' phenomenon was still alive and healthy then and was promoted as a major tourist draw.
Duncan Barrett's book is a well written and balanced account of those years. He is comprehensive in his coverage and does not avoid issues of collusion and collaboration.
Took me back in to names and places I had known well during my time there.
Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this book as as a result of Enemy At The Door on Talking Pictures tv.
There are so many interesting stories that you wonder why the tv series did not utilise more of them.
Having been to the islands on a number of occasions it brought memories of the islands flooding back.

[Paddy McKeating · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprising book from start to finish. People being sent to death camps for the most minor of transgressions, relationships between the occupied and occupiers, life under nazi rule, all with engaging primary sources and a real feel for life on the Channel Islands throughout World War Two.

[Flowergarden24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting because what occurred on the Channel Islands during WW2 isn't well known or frequently discussed when reading WW2 history. It was good to read about what the Germans were feeling as well as the Islanders.

[Darren Togwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of life on the only British territory the Nazis managed to occupy; a taster of things to come should they have reach the mainland. Easy to read and covers the lives of the islanders, occupiers, and British military who attempted to infiltrate the islands.

[Biggus · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating book. Who knew eh? Entertaining, informative and pretty decently narrated by the author. Great last sentence.

[Simon Pitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written. Engaging and insightful along with the darker aspects and impacts of occupation.

Well worth a read

[june m milner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgotten history

Very interesting. I knew very little detail of this occupation . Fascinating reminder that we are all but human .

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable and interesting read. Little ever seems to be said or taught about the occupation of the Channel Islands and this book for me was an education.

[Sophie Toovey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, compelling and interesting, real human focus.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during Hitler’s War.

[Saul Warren-howles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book and insight what it was to live like under occupation. Having visited Guernsey it made things even more poignant.

[CR Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to the author for his hard work in the research. The book tells the largely forgotten story of the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands during World War Two. This is something that I had not really thought much about. The book is very detailed and draws from first hand evidence to recount the tale. What I did find surprising is Churchill's apparent ambivalence to the plight of the Islanders; perhaps this is something that his biographers seem to gloss over.

I appreciate that this book may not appeal to those who do not have an interest in this period of history but it is a well written account of life during the German occupation.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a hypothetical, but an actual historical event. During the darkest days of WWII, as the Nazi war machine inevitably churned towards London, Winston Churchill elected to withdraw military support from the lightly populated Channel Islands. While many affected residents chose to evacuate, a sizable number also remained behind to experience several years of life under steady German rule.

Naturally, we can only speculate about how a mainland occupation might have played out, but in this smaller case study, the two sides got along fairly well. The Nazis, anxious to maintain a content and cooperative populace, ruled with a steady but forgiving hand. The Brits largely obeyed stricter new laws while still exercising light resistance where they could. Spats and disagreements would inevitably spring up, but both parties seemed to understand that they were thrust into this predicament by larger powers and worked to coexist through a bad situation. One which, unhappily, lingered until the war’s dying days, as the isles weren’t of strategic importance and their liberation was, thus, not a top priority.

It was interesting to read this perspective immediately after Steinbeck’s The Moon is Down, which offered a more cynical take on the same scenario. In that fiction, the German army was taken aback and eventually overwhelmed when they weren’t revered and respected by the conquered masses. In reality, the soldiers’ shared view was more grounded and realistic. Don’t rock the boat, basically, lest we all slip into the vortex.

[Telogaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing.