Storming Hitler's British Fortress

The Commando Raids on the Channel Islands in World War II

Simon Hamon, John Grehan

• Publisher: Frontline Books
• Year: 2023
• eBook ISBN: 9781473893795
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: German History
• Index: History

In 1940 British forces were withdrawn from the Channel Islands, allowing the Germans to occupy British territory. Hitler was determined to hold onto what he saw as a valuable prize, and the islands were heavily fortified. However, despite being extensively defended, the occupied Channel Islands remained vulnerable to commando-style raids. Indeed, a total of nine such operations were conducted between 1940 and 1943. Many others were planned but never executed. Each one was a bold and dangerous expedition, with small groups of men daring to trespass on Hitler's cherished British stronghold. The first of these attacks, Operation Ambassador, took place on the night of 14/15 July 1940. The second ever raid undertaken by the Commandos, it was focused on the island of Guernsey. Though the mission failed to achieve any of its objectives, valuable lessons were learnt. In the weeks, months and years that followed, raids were also undertaken against Jersey, Sark, Herm, Burhou and the Casquets lighthouse off Alderney. The final attack, Hardtack 22, was one of the three carried out against the German garrison on Sark. After the second mission, Hardtack 7, had to be aborted, the Commandos returned to the island on the night of 26/27 December 1943, tasked with undertaking a reconnaissance and capturing prisoners. This too was a failure after the raiders entered a minefield; two men were killed and most of the others wounded. Compiled from official reports and first-hand accounts, each of the raids is packed with intrigue and drama – including the fear of reprisals being taken against the islanders. Each of the missions are explored on the ground today by the authors, with the routes taken and all key locations relating to each attack photographed and described. The planned but never executed raids are also explored. Never before have these stories been told in such detail, and never before in the words of those that took part in the raids and those who ultimately, were most affected.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title
• Copyright page
• Contents
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1 ‘Let Me Have a Plan’
• Chapter 2 Anger And Ambassador: July, August and September 1940
• Chapter 3 Tomato, Attaboy, Blazing And Aimwell: The Cancelled Operations
• Chapter 4 Dryad And Branford: September 1942
• Chapter 5 Basalt: 4 October 1942
• Chapter 6 The Raid That Did Not Happen
• Chapter 7 Huckaback: 27/28 February 1943
• Chapter 8 Petrify, Whitticism, Pussyfoot, Catswhiskers and Hadrian: December 1942, January and April 1943
• Chapter 9 Constellation: July 1943
• Chapter 10 Hardtack 7: December 1943
• Chapter 11 Hardtack 28 and 22: 25/26 December 1943
• Chapter 12 ‘Nowhere That Can Be Considered Safe’
• Appendices
• Appendix A: Volunteers for Special Service
• Appendix B: Details of Second Lieutenant Nicolle’s Report on Guernsey, 12 July 1940
• Appendix C: 319 Infantry Division Statement on Basalt
• Appendix D: German Garrison on Sark Post Basalt
• Appendix E: Hardtack 28: Report of the Interview ofJohn and Hedley Le Breton
• Appendix F: Translation of the Fuhrer Befehl, Hitler’s ‘Commando Order’
• Notes
• References