Protest, Defiance and Resistance in the Channel Islands: German Occupation, 1940–45

Description

The Nazi occupation of Europe of World War Two is acknowledged as a defining juncture and an important identity-building experience throughout contemporary Europe. Resistance is what ‘saves’ European societies from an otherwise chequered record of collaboration on the part of their economic, political, cultural and religious elites. Opposition took pride of place as a legitimizing device in the post-war order and has since become an indelible part of the collective consciousness. Yet there is one exception to this trend among previously occupied territories: the British Channel Islands. Collective identity construction in the islands still relies on the notion of ‘orderly and correct relations’ with the Germans, while talk of ‘resistance’ earns raised eyebrows. The general attitude to the many witnesses of conscience who existed in the islands remains ambiguous. This book conversely and expertly argues that there was in fact resistance against the Germans in the Channel Islands and is the first text to fully explore the complex relationship that existed between the Germans and the people of the only part of the British Isles to experience occupation. Cover HalfTitle Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Illustrations List of Graphs and Tables Acknowledgements Introduction Definitions The historiography of resistance Book structure Government Structures and Key Personnel during the Occupation Superior Council, Jersey Controlling Committee, Guernsey 1 Symbolic Resistance Red, white and blue: The use of patriotic colours Making a point: ‘buttonhole’ resistance Intangible symbolic resistance: The role of anti-German jokes Cartoons Conclusion: The longevity of symbols 2 The V-sign Campaign and the Fear of Reprisals V-for-victory: A pan-European campaign The V-sign campaign in the Channel Islands The V-sign campaign in the camps V for Victory! 1945 and beyond Conclusion 3 Radio Days Confiscation Radio reception as an authentic means of civilian resistance Clandestine practices The St Saviour’s wireless case GASP GUNS An assessment Crystal sets Conclusions 4 Humanitarian Resistance: Help to Jews and OT Workers Islanders’ responses to the persecution of the Jews Responses to the forced and slave labourers of the Organization Todt Long-term sheltering by individuals and groups 5 Defiance and Deportations Introduction to the deportations Pre-deportation protest and defiance Protest and defiance on the days of the deportations Resistance in the camps Conclusion 6 Institutional Resistance: Political Groups, Clergy and Doctors Constitutional and political traditions in the islands The Jersey Democratic Movement The Jersey Communist Party and its activities The Jersey Democratic Movement after the Liberation The response of the Channel Islands clergy The response of the Channel Islands doctors 7 Women and Resistance Women in the arrest and court records during the Occupation The impact of economic, social and political factors on women’s activities Lucy Schwob and Suzanne Malherbe Symbolic resistance and defiance of the radio ban ‘Military’ resistance and escape Aid to OT workers: The forgotten role of women ‘A question of conscience’: Marie Ozanne Interpretations of women’s conduct 8 Sabotage, Intelligence-gathering and Escape Conditions limiting military-related activities Minor acts of sabotage and the theft of weapons and equipment Intelligence-gathering Escape from the Channel Islands Motives and conclusions 9 The Peculiarities of Being under the Swastika and the Crown: Officials and Their Resistance The rationale for a collaboration narrative The pitfalls of the collaboration narrative Environment and institutions: The unique context of the Channel Islands Occupation The Janus face of legitimacy A tale of two islands Resistance of administrators versus administrative resistance Can good government ever be resistance? Conclusion 10 Economic Resistance and Sabotage* Probing the double meaning The cause célèbre of the 1942 Guernsey police trial Deportation Conclusion 11 Heritage, Memory and Resistance in the Channel Islands Political prisoners: An overview Political prisoner consciousness and the creation of memory Aftermath of liberation Guardians of memory: 1940s–60s The fight for memorialization: The 1990s and beyond Conclusion: Remembering resistance today and tomorrow 12 Conclusion Introduction Phases in the development of resistance A tale of two islands: Resistance in Guernsey and Jersey Who were the resisters? The lack of a resistance movement and the role of individuals How many Channel Islanders were sent to prison during the Occupation for resistance acts? And how many were deported to the c Conclusion Bibliography Index