Jersey
under the Swastika!

Page 30 - Philip Frederick Le Sauteur

CHAPTER NINE (SECTION 4)

1941

Indeed, instances could be given of the ingenuity displayed in every trade in minimising the inevitable inconveniences resulting from the complete severance from the resources on which the Island had so heavily relied. The benefits of modern civilization had for so long been enjoyed that everyone had come to regard luxuries as actual necessities — and who can blame them for this attitude, at once so practical and sensible — but the foregoing, and what has been written elsewhere in this record, will give some indication that the people generally did not lie down under things, but, indeed, created a sort of "new order" all of their own — a new order of compromise and makeshift, and of a greater appreciation of the numerous little comforts which prior to the occupation, had been accepted as a matter of course.

During this period, the R.A.F. raids on Cherbourg, Granville, Brest and Lorient were distinctly audible, though there was some disappointment that the many ships coming to Jersey were left untouched. Throughout the month of August, an average of some fifty ships a week entered the harbour, bringing vast quantities of material, and the quays were a hive of industry as the lorries carted the stuff away to the various sites all over the Island where fortifications were being built.

Preliminary details of the fuel rationing revealed that an average family would have to manage on 2 cwts. of logs, 1 cwt. of coal and sometimes 1 cwt. of peat per month.

It is possible that questions may be asked later on about the quiescent attitude adopted by the Islanders towards the Germans, but it is vitally necessary in comparing events with those of other occupied territories to take into account the very restricted size of the Islands and the proportionate size of the occupying forces. At one period towards the end of 1941, for example, there were in the region of 8,000 troops in Jersey alone, against a population of less than 40,000, so that the potential number of unarmed "revolutionaries" were greatly outnumbered by the armed forces.

And, because of the restricted size of the place, and probably also as a result of direct intent, the troops were so intermingled amongst the population that any attempt at a big scale secret organization would almost certainly have been doomed to failure. There were probably many who would have been willing to accept reasonable risks to help, but who at the same time realized the utter impossibility of action without disastrous consequences to themselves as well as everyone else.

The Islanders were thrilled on Sunday afternoon, October 13th, by the sight of several R.A.F. planes wheeling and twisting overhead. Heavy A.A. batteries opened up to them without any effect, confirming the fact that the planes were British, as they were too high up for people to distinguish their markings.

On the evening of the following day more planes appeared on the scene, and these also were greeted by gunfire. Unfortunately, these machines arrived a little late, however, as throughout the day several ships had been bringing more and more troops into the Island, but only one ship was left out in the bay when the planes appeared, and this one, of course, very quickly made for the comparative safety of the harbour.

Nine nights later, the R.A.F. were greeted on their way to and from Brest with heavy flak. One of the machines lost the whole of its bomb racks, complete with H.E. and incendiaries, these regrettably landing on Victoria village. Some damage was done to houses and greenhouses in the neighbourhood. The only casualty was an elderly man whose house was badly damaged and who personally suffered very badly from shock.

As in the case of the air-raid just prior to the occupation, the States accepted the responsibility of putting right the damaged parts. It had been wondered what the reaction of the Germans would be — as expressed in the press, to such incidents — but the matter was completely ignored.

The sky at this particular season seemed to be exclusively the property of the R.A.F. for it was only on the rarest occasions that the searchlights were answered by the Luftwaffe recognition signals.

On the night of the 26th October the sound of a plane flying low was followed by a burst of intense flak. Streams of vari-coloured lights zig-zagged across the sky, each of them making a little "pop" as it went out, for all the world as if it were a fireworks display on some gala night. The intricate pattern of red, green and white, framed between the beams of powerful searchlights, made it seem impossible that any plane could be in the sky and survive. The whole display lasted less than a minute, by which time "His Nibs" of the R.A.F. had gone, accompanied by many sighs of relief from the watchers below.

The Islands had become a veritable hornets' nest of A.A. guns during the past month or two, and the operating searchlights were certainly very different from the poor affairs of the previous winter.

On the night of the 28th October, the R.A.F. were guided, this time by the German heavy batteries. A few of the leaflets primarily intended for Nantes were dropped over Jersey — a gesture on the part of some unknown R.A.F. crew which was greatly appreciated by the Islanders.

Recognition of the fact that the possibilities of invasion were now in the reverse direction was shown in the A.R.P . instruction that when (not if) fighting developed in the Island, A.R.P. personnel were to remain indoors — they hoped!

The month of November brought no respite in the shipping traffic. At one time there were over fifty ships in the harbour simultaneously. These ranged from tugs and patrol boats to steamers of upwards of 4,000 tons. Immense quantities of equipment ranging from office furniture to sectional huts were spread all over the quays. Significantly however, despite the large number of ship arrivals the shortage of food became more and more acute — even potatoes becoming very difficult to obtain.

Another registration was ordered during November — that having respect to those not normally resident in Jersey prior to July 1st, 1940 — that is, English people who were unfortunately caught in the Island by the arrival of the German forces. They were required to register, and many conjectures were made as to the reason for this step.

A more worrying notice appeared in the press about this time — a notice demanding information as to the whereabouts of Dennis Vibert. It had been common knowledge that he had been successful in escaping from the Island in a motor boat, and the tale had apparently reached the ears of the German Authorities. Quite naturally, reprisals against the population generally were expected, but, singularly, no more was heard of the matter, and there was some relief in the notion that information anent the amount of fortification being carried out by the Germans would reach the ears of the Military Authorities in England.

(Incidentally, Vibert had been picked up by a British war vessel not far from the British coast. He afterwards served in the British forces.)

We had some information regarding Alderney, whose civil population had all been evacuated. We learned that the Island had a garrison of 1,000 troops, and was reported to be well fortified, whilst, as regards the tiny Island of Sark, there were some 150 soldiers, and for the first time in the Island's history motor vehicles were being used there — hitherto such vehicles had been banned by law.

As a result of a drunken brawl at the Cabaret which had been opened at West's for the benefit of the troops, and to which the residents had been invited, three German sailors were so "wound up" that they tumbled over the pier and were drowned. Believed to have been involved in this affair, two other men — one a Jerseyman and the other an Englishman — were sentenced to six months' imprisonment in France.

Also sent to a French prison was a well-known farmer, locally noted for his temper. He got arguing with a German officer who was billeted on him. He finished up by reinforcing is arguments with a whip!

Several other accounts of people having been sent to France for various terms were current in the Island, these mostly for smuggling food and other goods into the Island for sale on the "Black Market", but these affairs were invariably settled without publicity, it was not always possible to obtain confirmation of the rumours.

As time went on, however, so many of the inhabitants were given prison sentences for so many petty offences that it was absolutely impossible to keep any tally on them. Friends would reappear after an interval with the intelligence that they had just served a month, whilst others would come along with the information that they were awaiting a vacancy in the local gaol to serve their time! There was always a waiting list, despite the fact that the men were herded in several to a cell.

Regulations dealing with the hours for the use of gas having been completely ignored by everybody, it was now definitely cut off excepting between the hours of 7.3 a.m. and 2.0 p.m. and from 5.0 p.m. until 9.0 p.m. With no alternative means of lighting — no paraffin, and the few candles still unused fetching 1/9 each — this was a great inconvenience to those whose houses were not equipped with electric power. There was another — and very real and dangerous snag — the peril to the occupants through taps being left turned on when the mains were cut off. There were several accidents in consequence of such omission.

The cessation of the tea ration, too did nothing to cheer the people.

For the holidays, there was an extended curfew, this to be until 1.0 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, with an extension in gas and electricity hours till midnight. With singular lack of tact — or else with intent to prevent too much complaisance, these concessions were published side by side with a reiteration of the threat of the death penalty for anyone who kept pigeons!