Islands at War
A Podcast about the occupation of the Channel Islands by German forces 1940 to 1945. Focusing on personal experiences of those that lived through it using diaries and our own research. Social, practical and military aspects of the occupation of the Channel Islands.
Join Keith Pengelley and Nick Le Huray as they talk you through the occupation month by month. Oh and we drop our own family stories in as well.
We will talk you through the occupation as it happened.
Questions welcome at occupied@gnetradio.com
Islands at War
OCTOBER 1942 - OPERATION BASALT, A ROBBERY AND MUCH MORE....
This episode explores the occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II, focusing on the experiences of the local population, the impact of food shortages, crime, and acts of defiance. The discussion includes personal accounts from diarists, the significance of the Sark raid Operation Basalt, and the legacy of the occupation in terms of memorials and remembrance.
Nick and Keith also talk about a slightly odd bunch running social media accounts on Twitter that keep tagging us their frankly bizarre posts.
Also covered are -
Severe food shortages and restrictions on daily life.
Acts of defiance, such as creating badges made
Crime rates increased as desperation drove citizens to theft.
The Reverend Ord's accounts highlight the psychological impact of war on soldiers.
The Sark raid was a significant military operation with lasting consequences.
The Skelton case raises questions about loyalty and survival during the occupation.
The legacy of the occupation continues to influence memorialization efforts today.
Understanding the past is crucial for recognizing the human cost of war.
Diary that we mentioned of Philip Le Sauteur is available here. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Jersey-under-Swatika-account-ebook/dp/B088P81P1X
Nick's book 'Tides of Defiance' can be preordered here and is out in August 2025.
Follow us on Twitter here or Facebook here.
If you want to email in a question send it to occupied@gnetradio.com. Alternatively you can send us a text with the link at the bottom of these notes (only works with iPhones).
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.
