The Germans surrendered Alderney on 16 May 1945, seven days after the liberation of Guernsey and Jersey.
The SS canteen was larger than the prisoner kitchen, even though far fewer people ate thereRecords from survivors mentions how hard life was for people sent to work at the forced labour camp, which became a concentration camp. Here there’s a mixture of Victorian and WW2 fortifications with informative sign boards.
The prisoners comprised approximately 500 Russians and Ukrainians, 180 Germans, 130 Polish, 60 Dutch, 20–30 Czech and 20 French nationals, most of whom were classed as political prisoners. However, eye-witness testimony and various contemporary sources reveal many more perished. Residents were forced to sell their cars and houses; speak German in schools; give up weapons, boats and cameras; and had limited access to beaches. According to the propaganda of the Nazi party, ceasing the deserted and undefended islands was the 'last stepping stone before the conquest of mainland Britain'.The researchers hope that by showing there are clear signs and concrete evidence of Alderney's darkest moment it will encourage locals to embrace the history and protect it. The Nazis were unaware the Allied forces had stopped protecting the islands and over the next two weeks began reconnaissance fights over their shores. However, the people of Alderney could not immediately return to their island due to the huge clean-up operation needed which included the removal of over 30,000 landmines.December 1945 that the islanders began to return to their devastated island, overrun with rats and imposing concrete fortifications with many of their houses completely derelict and most of the wood, including front doors and furniture missing, having been used as firewood by the Germans. They did not administer medical treatment at Sylt: sick prisoners who were able to walk were sometimes permitted to visit the hospital at Norderney.One-fifth of the camp's inmates reportedly died between August 1942 and January 1943. We are no longer accepting comments on this article.Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media GroupHunt for Hitler's missing uranium: Physicist reconstructs...World War II bunker used by 'Churchill's secret army' who...Reddit will start suspending users who consistently upvote...Did 'snowman' Arrokoth bring life to Earth?
Hitler believed the occupation of the islands had value as a propaganda tool. Instead, the residents were evacuated to the mainland.