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Nazi defence of The Channel Islands ......WW2.

SoundAsa£
SoundAsa£ Posts: 22,477
in Not Sports Related
I am currently watching a TV documentary and I am gob smacked at what I am seeing and hearing, you learn something new everyday.
Hitler had a completely illogical thought process regarding the Islands bordering on obsession.
It became “the most heavily defended place on earth”......now I bet not many of you would have thought that for one moment, I know I didn’t.
13 miles of underground tunnels were dug.....countless anti aircraft and gun in placements built, it was virtually impregnable, with an inordinately large garrison of thousands of troops that would have been much better used elsewhere on the mainland.
It even had a small concentration camp run by The SS where around 4,000 prisoners were put to death!
Much to the irritation of his military chiefs and advisers, he was convinced that we would retake the Islands and use it as a platform to invade the rest of Europe, no amount of reasoning with him could change his mind and a small fortune was spent on armaments and  defensive measures.
The bloke was mad as a box of frogs, not a shot in anger was ever fired!

Comments

  • Lordflashheart
    Lordflashheart Posts: 5,619

    There are many many derelict fortifications on the islands - brilliant places to visit - underground hospitals - museums - I recommend the Channel Islands as a place to holiday, as blokes (and the ladies if they wish !!) can go off at look at war stuff, plus the beaches are superb for those that want to sunbath

    My son has been badgering me to go back there next year and we are looking at doing just that 

  • IdleHans
    IdleHans Posts: 10,961
    Having spent 6 months working in Guernsey, I would add that the quality of restaurants is extremely high, I didn't have a single bad meal in all that time.
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,219
    Hitler was mad?

    Wow, who would have guessed?

    He also left huge armies in Norway for similar reasons.
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,595
    Spent a lot of time in Jersey and Guernsey at my last job, both fantastic places.
  • Horsfield9
    Horsfield9 Posts: 3,082
    DaveMehmet said:
    Spent a lot of time in Jersey and Guernsey at my last job, both fantastic places.

    Were you in the SS ?
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,595
    Horsfield9 said:
    DaveMehmet said:
    Spent a lot of time in Jersey and Guernsey at my last job, both fantastic places.

    Were you in the SS ?
    Nein 
  • iaitch
    iaitch Posts: 10,223
    Don't tell him your name Horsfield9.
  • Croydon
    Croydon Posts: 12,727
    Jersey war tunnel museum is well worth doing if you're interested in this kind of thing
     A fascinating look at a part of the war I had no idea about.
  • Karim_myBagheri
    Karim_myBagheri Posts: 12,697
    Must of watched the same or similar documentary. Abandoned places I think it was. Great series. I also was astonished by the size of the underground network. 
  • Goonerhater
    Goonerhater Posts: 12,677
    first went 50 years ago with parents been back several times love the Channel Islands.

    If your in Jersey go to the Dog and Sausage in St Helier its run by proper Charlton.Upstairs bar full of Charlton stuff
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  • Baldybonce
    Baldybonce Posts: 9,640
    I read recently that the reason Hitler gave the order for Allied commandos to be shot was because of a raid on the Channel Islands that went wrong  and the captured Germans were found shot with their hands tied. How true i don't know.
  • mistrollingin
    mistrollingin Posts: 3,868
    Ian Hislop made a very good documentary about the Channel Islands during the war a few years ago.
  • Chizz
    Chizz Posts: 28,331
    Anyone interested in the second world war and the Channel Islands should research the extraordinary life of Eddie Chapman, aka Agent Zigzag. 
  • Lincsaddick
    Lincsaddick Posts: 32,348
    Chizz said:
    Anyone interested in the second world war and the Channel Islands should research the extraordinary life of Eddie Chapman, aka Agent Zigzag. 
    Chizz said:
    Anyone interested in the second world war and the Channel Islands should research the extraordinary life of Eddie Chapman, aka Agent Zigzag. 

    saw a film, Triple Cross about him (loosely) a long while back .. con man, villain, double agent and patriot


  • mistrollingin
    mistrollingin Posts: 3,868
    Chizz said:
    Anyone interested in the second world war and the Channel Islands should research the extraordinary life of Eddie Chapman, aka Agent Zigzag. 
    Agent Zig Zag by Ben Macintyre is required reading on the subject.

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