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Storming Hitler's British Fortress: The Commando Raids on the Channel Islands in World War II
In 1940 British forces were withdrawn from the Channel Islands, allowing the Germans to occupy British territory. Hitler was determined to hold onto what he saw as a valuable prize, and the islands were heavily fortified.
However, despite being extensively defended, the occupied Channel Islands remained vulnerable to commando-style raids. Indeed, a total of nine such operations were conducted between 1940 and 1943. Many others were planned but never executed.
Each one was a bold and dangerous expedition, with small groups of men daring to trespass on Hitler’s cherished British stronghold. The first of these attacks, Operation Ambassador, took place on the night of 14/15 July 1940. The second ever raid undertaken by the Commandos, it was focused on the island of Guernsey. Though the mission failed to achieve any of its objectives, valuable lessons were learnt.
In the weeks, months and years that followed, raids were also undertaken against Jersey, Sark, Herm, Burhou and the Casquets lighthouse off Alderney. The final attack, Hardtack 22, was one of the three carried out against the German garrison on Sark. After the second mission, Hardtack 7, had to be aborted, the Commandos returned to the island on the night of 26/27 December 1943, tasked with undertaking a reconnaissance and capturing prisoners. This too was a failure after the raiders entered a minefield; two men were killed and most of the others wounded.
Compiled from official reports and first-hand accounts, each of the raids is packed with intrigue and drama – including the fear of reprisals being taken against the islanders. Each of the missions are explored on the ground today by the authors, with the routes taken and all key locations relating to each attack photographed and described. The planned but never executed raids are also explored. Never before have these stories been told in such detail, and never before in the words of those that took part in the raids and those who ultimately, were most affected.
However, despite being extensively defended, the occupied Channel Islands remained vulnerable to commando-style raids. Indeed, a total of nine such operations were conducted between 1940 and 1943. Many others were planned but never executed.
Each one was a bold and dangerous expedition, with small groups of men daring to trespass on Hitler’s cherished British stronghold. The first of these attacks, Operation Ambassador, took place on the night of 14/15 July 1940. The second ever raid undertaken by the Commandos, it was focused on the island of Guernsey. Though the mission failed to achieve any of its objectives, valuable lessons were learnt.
In the weeks, months and years that followed, raids were also undertaken against Jersey, Sark, Herm, Burhou and the Casquets lighthouse off Alderney. The final attack, Hardtack 22, was one of the three carried out against the German garrison on Sark. After the second mission, Hardtack 7, had to be aborted, the Commandos returned to the island on the night of 26/27 December 1943, tasked with undertaking a reconnaissance and capturing prisoners. This too was a failure after the raiders entered a minefield; two men were killed and most of the others wounded.
Compiled from official reports and first-hand accounts, each of the raids is packed with intrigue and drama – including the fear of reprisals being taken against the islanders. Each of the missions are explored on the ground today by the authors, with the routes taken and all key locations relating to each attack photographed and described. The planned but never executed raids are also explored. Never before have these stories been told in such detail, and never before in the words of those that took part in the raids and those who ultimately, were most affected.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2023
9 people want to read
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October 24, 2023
When France fell in 1940, the British realized that they would not be able to defend the British Channel islands - Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney (yeah- like the Cows)Sark, Herm , and a bunch of smaller islands. Situated off the coast of Brittany, the Islands are very British- even if they rely on the French for much of their supplies. The Germans moved in -happy for the propaganda value of a piece of the British Empire under their thumb. In turn, Churchill saw the Islands as a good potential target for his new "Commando"raiding idea. In this book Simon Hamon, an expert on the Channel Islands' WWII, and writing partner John Grehan tell the story of every raid, real or imagined, carried out on the Islands throughout the war, spending time on the interesting ones- but also telling about or debunking several other events that were mistakenly thought to be raids and were not. The book is lavishly illustrated with B/w photos, but would be improved by more maps
The advantage of trying to operate on the Islands were many and obvious. Getting the Nazis to waste overmany soldiers on the Islands was the aim- as it was never a target for liberation until the NW Europe Campaign was almost over. Whilst operations in France always ran the risk of running into Vichy French Fascists who would collaborate with the Nazis, in the Channel Islands there few collaborators- although the locals did finally grow tired of the "visitors" as German represssions would always follow. Some later "raids" were just a small team getting a download of local events/troop movements from a resident. This is an interesting book about Britons under occupation and those eager to liberate them- and what happened when they met in the war.
There are some adult themes, but few graphic violent passages, so this is a fine book for the Historically inclined Junior Readers over the age of 12/13 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, its a mixed bag. For the Gamer, lots of interesting and not so interesting raids to replay/turn into what ifs- several raids had unrealistic schedules- something gamers can play with. The modeler may not find this so useful although there are a few aplces where Diorama ideas might be generated. For the Military Enthusiast, the Channel Islands give one a tiny view into what an Occupied UK might have felt like- and how keenly the Empire pined to get it back. i enjoyed the book- hope to visit the Islands soon and see for myself.
The advantage of trying to operate on the Islands were many and obvious. Getting the Nazis to waste overmany soldiers on the Islands was the aim- as it was never a target for liberation until the NW Europe Campaign was almost over. Whilst operations in France always ran the risk of running into Vichy French Fascists who would collaborate with the Nazis, in the Channel Islands there few collaborators- although the locals did finally grow tired of the "visitors" as German represssions would always follow. Some later "raids" were just a small team getting a download of local events/troop movements from a resident. This is an interesting book about Britons under occupation and those eager to liberate them- and what happened when they met in the war.
There are some adult themes, but few graphic violent passages, so this is a fine book for the Historically inclined Junior Readers over the age of 12/13 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, its a mixed bag. For the Gamer, lots of interesting and not so interesting raids to replay/turn into what ifs- several raids had unrealistic schedules- something gamers can play with. The modeler may not find this so useful although there are a few aplces where Diorama ideas might be generated. For the Military Enthusiast, the Channel Islands give one a tiny view into what an Occupied UK might have felt like- and how keenly the Empire pined to get it back. i enjoyed the book- hope to visit the Islands soon and see for myself.
Displaying 1 of 1 review