Channel Islands' links with Nazis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.First Edition
SECRET documents released yesterday disclosed links between the civilian administration in Guernsey and the smaller island of Alderney where the Germans ran slave labour and concentration camps, writes Stephen Ward.
British forces evacuated the Channel Islands after the fall of France in June 1940, and advised the Jersey and Guernsey administrations to stay to work under the Germans. Alderney was evacuated.
But a newly released British military intelligence report for
19 April 1944 says 22 Channel Islanders worked on Alderney, including two paid by the States of Guernsey as part of the administration of the island. The document is among 27 thick bundles on the Channel Islands' occupation released by the Government yesterday. It had been classified until 2045.
The Sylt concentration camp was established on Alderney from March 1943 to July 1944, with up to 1,000 prisoners. The islands were not mentioned at the Nuremburg war trials and there were no allied prosecutions for atrocities on Alderney.
However, Obersturmfuhrer Kurt Klebeck, second in command of the camp, was tried for war crimes elsewhere and served seven years. He now lives in Hamburg.
John's story, page 3
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments