In this episode of Islands at War, hosts Keith Pengelley and Nick Le Huray delve into the complexities of life in Guernsey during the German occupation in December 1942. They discuss the establishment of prohibited zones, the registration of local labour for German work, and the pervasive rumours of German withdrawal. The conversation also touches on the economic challenges faced by the islanders, including supply shortages and the rise of the black market. As Christmas approaches, the hosts reflect on the struggles of families to celebrate amidst scarcity, and the ongoing efforts to control communication and information flow by the occupying forces.

Takeaways

• The establishment of prohibited zones was a significant military strategy.
• Local labour registration was a contentious issue during the occupation.
• Rumours of German withdrawal circulated widely among the islanders.
• Supply increases were often misleading and did not reflect true availability.
• The black market thrived due to resource scarcity and economic pressures.
• Christmas in 1942 was marked by hardship and creativity in celebrations.
• Wireless communication remained a point of control for the Germans.
• The Germans used fear tactics to maintain control over the population.
• Local responses to German policies varied, with some pushing back against labour demands.

The impact of the occupation on daily life was profound and multifaceted.

So much to talk about that has often been overlooked, covered here and in part two which will follow.

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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.