Liberation 80: Lunchtime Talks

Thursday 01 May 2025 at 13:10

Presented by Robert Hall, join us for a compelling exploration of the Channel Islands’ wartime legacy. For over 50 years, the Channel Island Occupation Society has preserved and restored the German fortifications that still shape our landscape today. As first-hand accounts of the Occupation become rarer, these enduring structures have become vital storytellers—helping us remember, reflect, and understand this pivotal chapter in our history.

Friday 02 May 2025 at 13:10

Join Mark Boleat as he explores how Jersey’s economy was dramatically reshaped during the Occupation years. Discover how the island struggled towards self-sufficiency, how everyday life changed under severe rationing, and how informal markets and barter systems became essential for survival. This talk offers a compelling look at resilience, adaptation, and the economic ingenuity of a community under pressure.

Before the German Occupation, Jersey’s economy was closely tied to the UK, depending heavily on imported goods and sustaining itself through exports of agricultural produce and a thriving tourism sector. But with the abrupt severing of ties in 1940, the Island was forced to adapt — fast.

Wednesday 07 May 2025 at 13:10

Step back into a pivotal chapter of Island history with Sue Hardy as she explores the extraordinary years following Liberation — a period marked by both joy and hardship. Discover how the euphoria of freedom and the return of loved ones was met with the realities of rationing, austerity, and the challenge of rebuilding. From the grit of everyday life to the simple pleasures that brought a sense of normalcy, this talk captures the spirit of a resilient community navigating change. Join us for a moving and insightful look at a time when, despite everything, happiness endured and the island began to heal.

Thursday 08 May 2025 at 13:10

The Role of Tobacco During the German Occupation – an alternative currency. Discover the fascinating story of how tobacco—once dormant for over two centuries—was revived during the German Occupation and transformed into a vital part of the island’s wartime economy.

This talk explores tobacco’s unexpected rise as both a valuable commodity and an informal currency, becoming a primary source of income for many islanders. Andrew Gilson will delve into the evolving responses of both the German Military Government and Jersey’s civil authorities, from initial resistance to reluctant regulation, as they grappled with this emerging alternative economy. Join us for a compelling look at resilience, resourcefulness, and the unintended consequences of economic disruption during wartime.

Monday 12 May 2025 at 13:10

Marking 80 years since the liberation of those deported to civilian internment camps in Germany during World War II, this thought-provoking talk explores the complex aftermath of internment. Drawing on the experiences of Channel Islanders held in camps such as Biberach, Wurzach, Laufen, Liebenau, Dorsten, and Compiègne, Professor Gilly Carr reveals how memory, trauma, and place shaped each internees’ response to their ordeal.

From anger and bitterness to friendship and forgiveness, this is a powerful story of how individuals and communities processed their internment — and how their differing experiences influenced the ways they remembered, returned, and sought justice. Join us for a compelling journey through pain, resilience, and the pursuit of reconciliation.

Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 13:10

Join local historian Ian Ronayne for a powerful and moving account of this wartime disaster. Discover the story of the ill-fated warship and her crew, the fierce battle that led to their loss, and the extraordinary response of Islanders—living under German Occupation—who risked much to honour the fallen. Learn how this chapter of history continues to resonate to this day.

In November 1943, the tides around Jersey began to bring in a harrowing sight—bodies of British sailors washing ashore, day after day. These men were from HMS Charybdis, a Royal Navy cruiser sunk in action alongside HMS Limbourne. The tragedy left a lasting mark on the Channel Islands, forever linking the name “Charybdis” with sorrow and remembrance.

Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 13:10

The German Occupation left a lasting imprint on island life—its memories still vivid in the minds of those who endured it. These years were marked by hardship, resilience, and quiet acts of defiance. One of the most pressing concerns during those five difficult years was securing enough food. The German Military Government quickly seized control of agriculture—regulating everything from crops and fertiliser to livestock and storage. But despite their efforts, one thing continued to elude them: the secret breeding of pigs.

Join Jane Aubin for a fascinating glimpse into this little-known aspect of life under Occupation. Discover how pigs became a symbol of survival and resistance, and hear first-hand accounts from those who remember the ingenuity, risk, and occasional humour that came with hiding a hog.