Good morning
I hope you are all keeping well the Government has released plans for the reopening of various business and attractions and this evening I will be reading through it all, looking at the rules we may be stuck with the distancing rules at 2 meters, but fingers crossed that's not the case.
Have a fantastic day!
Cheers
Phil
80 years ago today in Jersey 2nd February 1941
Today would be the 217th day of the Islands Occupation with 1,557 days remaining.
Local account suggests that the Germans who ransacked the Masonic Temple are now making inquiries regarding church plate, but the matter is eventually dropped. The Bailiff subsequently received an order from the Germans that church bells, and copper, brass in private houses, were to be collected by the local authorities and handed over. Strong representations were made against the order. The Germans did not pursue it.
Further afield
2nd February 1941
The commonwealth graves commission record deaths 187 this day 80 years ago, the average age was 27.
RAF Action
Air reconnaissance over Cherbourg on the 2nd February showed one destroyer in port.
5 Blenheims with a large fighter escort in a Circus operation sent to Boulogne. 4 aircraft bombed Boulogne docks. No losses to Blenheims.
Home Waters
2nd February Minesweeping Trawler Almond mined and sunk off Falmouth 3 survivors but 14 Sailors lost.
Mediterranean
H.M. Ships Renown, Malaya, Ark Royal and light forces operated off Sardinia on the 2nd February. Owing to unfavourable weather the original plans had to be modified, but at dawn 8 Swordfish made an attack on the I'irso Dam which holds the water for the hydro-electric station. Observation of results was impossible, but it is thought that 3 torpedoes hit the dam. Heavy A.A. fire was experienced and one aircraft failed to return. During this operation the Mediterranean Fleet demonstrated in the Eastern Mediterranean, but no enemy ships were encountered.
HMS Ark Royal in 1939, with Swordfish of 820 Naval Air Squadron passing overhead
Occupation Focus
The cover of today's blog is the German Batterie Mackensen which is found on the North East coast of Jersey on private property.
Batterie Mackensen
3./HKAR 1265 3 x 21cm Morser 18 howitzers 11 mile range
8 x Abwehrflammenwerfer 42 2 x s.M.G 3 x l.M.G
As always, much more information on the blue link including exact location and map.
Book Recommendation
The February book recommendation is "Six Days." The story centres around the paratroopers of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and the brave citizens of the quiet French hamlet. The battle of Grainges maybe not as well known as some of the invasion stories but this beautifully illustrated novel captures the true story.
Exploring bunkers Always get permission from the owner Take a torch, a spare and one more for luck Don't go alone & tell someone where you will be and for how long You will get dirty as most are often full of rubbish and may have been used as a public toilet Anything you find still belongs to the person that owns the property Unexploded ordnance is still found in Jersey if you see or find anything that looks like ordnance please call the bomb disposal officer on 01534 612 61
Sources of Information German Documents are housed at The National Archived in Washington or Archive in Kew UK T-78 Roll 317: OKH Coastal and Channel Defenses Files 1940-44 -
T-78 Roll 318: OKH Coastal and Channel Defenses Files 1941-43
T-315 Roll 1639: 216th Security Division War Diary
(Kriegstagebuch), Belgium, France & Russia 1939-42
T-1022 Roll 2423: Various War Diaries (Kriegstagebucher), Channel Islands 1941-44
Atlantic Wall Coastal Battery Lists: Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, & France 1944-45
T-312 Roll 1559: 7th Army War Diary (Kriegstagebuch), France 1941-43 & T-312 Roll 1558
T-315 Roll 1643: 216th Security Division War Diary
(Kriegstagebuch), Belgium, France & Russia 1939-41
T-311 Roll 16: Army Group D War Diary (Kriegstagebuch), Western Front Aug-Nov 1944 Operation Green Arrow - Occupation of the Channel Islands MOD 584 Allied Technical Intelligence Reports 1942-45 German Preparations for Invasion of the United Kingdom 1941-42 B-833, 319th Infantry Division (1941-45) German Seacoast Defenses, European Theatre - prepared by the Artillery Evaluation Board
BBC News & Archives
The Britannica Jersey Occupied by Michael Ginns - ISBN 978-1-905095-29-2 Operation Nestegg Plans Operation Hardtack Plans Operation Basalt Plans RAF Photos care of The National Collection of Aerial Photography
The National Archive of Newspapers Bundesarchiv - Multiple Photos - and Files A Map of slave labour camps. Kindly Provided by Emilio Pérez Photo's and information provided by fans Onsite visits & internet research
Cabinet Papers Second World War memoranda (cab 661- cab 665) After the Battle Multiple Magazines
CIOS Archive & Publications (become a member here)
If we have used any photos or information which you believe to posted without permission, please contact us at info@jerseywartours.com and we will resolve asap.
Jersey War Tours is Registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission as a Non-Profit Organisation - NPO1207
Jargon Help
Widerstandsnest (WN) = Resistance Nest (RN) A small pocket of resistance, these would be made up of small groups of up to 10 men with light weapons. They would man Anti-tank weapons, an observation post or a field gun. Stützpunkt St.P = Strongpoint (STP) Next level up from an RN and consisted of several RN's. STP areas would have a combination of weapons and different branches of the military used. Examples of this can be found with Strongpoint Greve de Lecq and Strongpoint Corbiere Einsatzstellung = Operational Position or Action Post Smaller MG type position generally it was only maned during an alert Feldwache = Field Watch Early resistance nest
Jägerstand
Jäger Casemate was a special design and name for bunkers designed to hold a 10.5cm field gun
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