Jersey
under the Swastika!

Page 33 - Philip Frederick Le Sauteur

CHAPTER TEN (SECTION 2)

1942

Several new orders appeared during the first days of March (1942), the first of which was a terse reminder that the sequences of refusing to supply goods, or to do work as ordered, or to do it in such a way as to mar the purpose for which it was issued, would be a heavy fine, imprisonment or — in extreme cases — death — this being intended, presumably, to inspire fear into those who had been evading supplying goods to, or doing work for, the Germans.

The curfew specially introduced for the Jewish people, hitherto the same as for other civilians, now made it compulsory for these people to be indoors between the hours of 8.0 p.m. and 6.0 a.m., it apparently being considered necessary to give an occasional reminder that their existence  was by no means forgotten.

A third edict detailed at some length, and in so-called lawer's English, orders relating to enemy property, the term being defined as the property of any British or Empire national not actually residing in the Channel Islands. A declaration was required of all property, whether real estate or assets of any kind over 500 Marks (about fifty pounds sterling), and the disposal of it was forbidden excepting under German instructions. This seemed to be merely an attempt to legalize the numerous confiscations already effected, and to pave the way for additional confiscations.

The R.A.F. were continually about, and it was obvious that something unusual was foot on the night of March 27th, for great numbers of British planes passed over the Island in a steady and seemingly never-ending stream. They were greeted by an equally sustained barrage of A.A. fire, of every sort — flaming onions, coloured pom-poms and heavy guns all contributed to making the night an inferno of  noise, with the drone of numerous planes overhead and the dull  rumble of distant explosions as a background.

That nigh the R.A.F. were en route to carry out their share of the Commando raid on St. Nazaire. This raid caused even greater precautions to be taken in Jersey against such an attack on the Island. Barbed wire barriers were placed on all roads or, where this was impracticabIe, coils of wire were fastened to one side ready to be spread across at a moment's notice.

The flagstaffs on German hotels, and at Fort Regent, also received a generous quota of barbed wire gainst the possibility of a Union Jack's being hoised by a Commando unit, and the lower windows of the German Headquarters, and many of their hotels, were liberalIy wired.

Patrols were augmented, and for many weeks the troops were put through all manner of anti-invasion exercises, including street fighting, mock invasions, and frequent night exercises.

For the first time since the occupation — with the exception of pre-advetirsed practices — the siren was sounded at noon on April 7th. Planes were certainly about, although no guns were actually fired, and the population entirely ignored the warning, despite a recent order making it a punishable offence for anyone, even A.R.P. personnel, to be out-of-doors during an alarm. There seems to be no doubt whatever, however, that in this particular instance the alarm was genuine, and occasioned by the presence of the R.A.F. in the vicinity.

During the middle of April a new order was issued, requiring a form giving details of all occupants to be kept posted inside the front door of every house. At the same time a duplicate of this statement had to be handed in to  the Authorities. It was also made an offence to sleep in any premises but those on which one's mame appeared unless a special permit was obtained. The object of these orders appeared to be the ability to ge a quick check-up in the case of any British airmen landing and being sheltered by someone in the Island.

The curfew again reverted to 11.0 p.m. on May 1st, the Military Zone curfew becoming 10.0 p,m. and that for the Jewish population 9.0 p.m.

The R.A.F. were passing over the Island quite regularly, and audible evidence of their activity was heard from as far afield as Brest and Le Havre, but the only official notice taken of their presence was the futile wiggling of a few searchlights across the sky — it was generally understood that the phenomenal amount of ammunition wasted on the night of the St. Nazaire Commando raid had resulted in orders that A.A. guns must only open fire if an attack developed.

A further registration was taken of all livestock from cattle down to chickens, at this time, and new anti-A.R.P. measures included the banning of badges as well as armlets.

And during all this time brains were in steep everywhere, the main problem — escape! That thought was never absent from many people. And an unuccessful attempt in this direction was made by three youths on Sunday, May 3rd. They had a 13 ft. open boat, which was equipped with outboard motor and this was taken from the town harbour in a van under the very eyes of the Germans. ln fact, it was freely stated that the German soldiers had actually helped to unload the boat when it arrived at Samares! Petrol was obtained with the assistance of a policeman, for which offence the unfortunate fellow was later awarded a term of imprisonment, and a start on the venture was made on the Sunday evening. Details are lacking, but it appears that the boat was sighted, and that a patrol boat intercepted it. One of the young men was drowned before he could be rescued. It was currently believed that he had jump overboard to evade capture.

Official comments on this unsuccessful exploit were as follows:

On the night of Sunday to Monday, May 3rd/4th, three youths made the attempt to reach England in a motor boat equipped with compass, binoculars and provisions, in spite of the fact it was to their knowledge that such an enterprise was forbidden.

The result of this undertaking was that the boat capsized, that one of the youths was drowned, and the other two were captured and are now faced with severe punishment.

I solemnly warn the population once again against the repetition of similar cases, which can advantage no one but which will entail severe measures, as a result of which the whole population will suffer.

The Military Commandant of the Island of Jersey.
Graf von Schmettow, Major General.

Three boys have tried to leave Jersey secretly in a boat in order to escape to England. Their offence was aggravated by the fact that they had photographic materials in their possession.

It is to be stressed that persons leaving the Island will be proseculted on a charge of favouring the enemy and are liable to heavy penalties or, in certain circumstances, the death penalty.

Parents or guardians may be held responsible for neglecting their parental duty or for giving assistance.

In the event of a similar offence being committed, measures will be taken affecting all men of military age in tbe Island, e.g. internment on the continent.

Der Feldkommandant,
Knackfuss, Colonel.

No publicity was ever given regarding the sentences which the two survivors received, and thcir whereabouts were unknown up to the time of the end of the occupation.

So ended a venture which, on the face of things, could hardly have been hoped to succeed. Starting from the most southerly point of the Island made it necessary for a very big detour to keep clear of the Island, so that over 200 miles lay between them and their ultimate goal. More than half of this lay in an area constantly traversed by German shipping — this in a small open boat with only an outboard motor, and manned by inexperienced youths.

This unsuccessful enterprise had a speedy sequence so far as the Islanders were concerned, for a registration was made of all boats, even including collapsible canoes, and later these were ordered to be brought to the town harbour. In addition to all this, all cameras and photographic materials were confiscated.

The problem of invasion was still worrying the German Authorities and a furtber anti-invasion order was promulgated under wbich it was prohibited to sleep out of doors or under canvas, whilst it was interesting to observe that the Org Todt — hitherto a non-military body — were given intensive fighting training, and even civilian Germans working in the hotels and other organizations were being given a course.  It was possible that the training was intended to check any insurrection amongst tbe cosmopolitan crowd of labourers in the event of a British landing, when, naturally, the Wermacht would be fully occupied. It was ratber pathetic seeing the men, many of them hearded and suffering from various infirmities, marching to the drill grounds, even imitating the army with their songs.

Hope dies hard in the hearts of the expectant, and hopes were raised on May 7th when a vessel of some 12,000 tons arrived in St. Aubin's Bay, along with several smaller ships, the convoy being of such importance as to merit an escort of several destroyers. What were the hopes centered in? That the R.A.F. might pay a visit to the Island! But notbing in that direction happened. Although the convoy remained in the Bay throughout the day — a perfect target for any aircraft — the ships were left undisturbed.