Hamon, Simon/Grehan, John Storming Hitler's British Fortress

The Commando Raids on the Channel Islands in World War II

In 1940, British forces withdrew from the Channel Islands, allowing the Germans to occupy British territory. Hitler was determined to keep what he considered a valuable prize, and the islands were heavily fortified. However, despite their extensive defences, the occupied Channel Islands remained vulnerable to commando raids. In fact, a total of nine such operations were carried out between 1940 and 1943. Many more were planned but never carried out. Each one was a daring and dangerous expedition in which small groups of men ventured to penetrate Hitler's cherished British stronghold. The first of these attacks, Operation Ambassador, took place on the night of 1415 July 1940. The commandos' second raid focused on the island of Guernsey. Although the mission failed to achieve any of its objectives, valuable lessons were learned. In the weeks, months and years that followed, raids were also carried out on Jersey, Sark, Herm, Burhou and the Casquets lighthouse off Alderney. The last attack, Hardtack 22, was one of three attacks 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 to 27 December 1943 to carry out a reconnaissance mission and take prisoners. This attempt also failed after the attackers hit a minefield; two men were killed and most of the others were wounded. The descriptions of the individual raids, compiled from official reports and eyewitness accounts, are full of intrigue and drama including the fear of reprisals against the islanders. The authors have investigated all the missions on site and photographed and described the routes and all the important locations associated with each attack. The planned but never executed raids are also examined. Never before have these stories been told in such detail, and never before from the perspective of those who took part in the raids and those who were ultimately most affected by them.