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In June 1942,
the Germans commanded that all wirelesses be handed in. In September 1942,
it was announced that all British-born islanders would be deported to
Germany - 1,200 people in all.
For people
who became friendly with Germans, there was trouble - other islanders
didn't think they could trust those who mixed with the enemy.
Women who
spent time with the soldiers were known as 'Jerry-Bags' and were shunned.
Some islanders worked for the Germans, either as plumbers and electricians
or as general labourers. They were lured by high wages and extra rations.
Informants
Dozens of
letters were sent to the German Field Commander informing on other islanders
who were selling or hoarding food, helping escaped slave workers, or listening
to the radio.
The post
office tried to intercept as many of the letters as they could - steaming
them open and destroying them. Letters that got through often led to death
or deportation for those that were informed on.
Illicit
activities
The islanders
began to paint the V-for-Victory symbol on doors and signs around the
island. Teenagers also stole from the barracks, hiding weapons and explosives.
Radios were
hidden all over the place - in chimneys and piles of manure. Islanders
also built their own crystal radios.
There were
more than 140 attempts by islanders to escape - but it was extremely dangerous.
Nine people drowned, 24 were imprisoned, and one was shot on the beach.
Red
Cross relief
By November
1944, the islanders faced starvation. The Germans insisted that it was
not their responsibility to feed the islanders, whilst Churchill was determined
to let the Germans starve - even if this meant that the islanders starved
too.
Eventually
an agreement was reached, and in December 1944 the SS Vega arrived in
Jersey, with food parcels for every islander. There were none for the
Germans, and morale was low.
Liberation
On 8 May
1945, two Royal Navy destroyers arrived in Channel Island waters, and
on the 9th May a declaration of unconditional surrender was signed.
The celebrations
continued for several days, with people singing and dancing in the streets.
But for the islanders who had helped the Germans it was not so joyful.
They were attacked by angry crowds and swastikas were painted on their
houses.
After
the war
After the
war ended, Jersey underwent many changes in many areas. In
the States, 12
elected senators were added, and the number of deputies was increased
to 29.
Educational
facilities were greatly expanded, with several secondary and primary schools
built. There were also important changes in island law - divorce was legalised
in 1949, the Channel Island Court of Appeal was brought into operation
in 1964, and a Juvenile Court was created in 1969.
Public
utilities were also expanded - mains drainage was extended, new reservoirs
and dams were built, and a desalination plant was added. Hospital services
were increased and diversified, and more homes were built for the old
and infirm.
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Occupation memories
