Liberation: The Aftermath – Part 2

Liberation: The Aftermath – Part 2

13th May and beyond

Under the inquisitive gaze of Islanders, St Aubin's Bay became a hive of military activity during the days following 12 May 1945.

Most captivating were four voluminous Landing Ship Tank, or LSTs, who arrived on 13 May to beach on the sands. Crewed by British and American sailors and stuffed full of vehicles and equipment, they welcomed visitors onboard to enjoy gladly accepted jam sandwiches.

The LSTs also provided transport for the departing German garrison, which numbered over 11,000 at liberation. Disarmed, marshalled and lined-up, most left from St Aubin's Bay between 13 and 20 May 1945 bound for UK POW camps.

A small number of retained Germans worked alongside Force 135, restoring the harbour and airport and busily clearing weapons, mines and other munitions. British troops would remain until clean-up and restoration was complete, visiting Home Secretary Herbert Morrison announced on 15 May. But a return to civilian control was planned as soon as practically possible.

A sign of returning normality was Jersey's first post-war mailboat from England. Symbolically, the 'Isle of Guernsey' mailboat carried more than just letters and parcels on 26 June 1945. Among her officially welcomed passengers were the first returning Islanders displaced by war.

Most evacuees departing so hurriedly in June 1940 had arrived in England with little idea of what would become them. Lacking family or friends there, the British Government settled them across the north of England. Now, with Jersey's liberation, most were ready to come home.

Just a few arrived on that first boat, thousands more followed over the weeks and months to come. While grateful to be back, there was a challenging reintegration ahead. Two Island communities sundered by war faced getting to know each other again.

That first boat also brought the first returned internees. Their moment of liberation had come as victorious Allied forces overran southern Germany at the end of April 1945. With the region in turmoil, however, a frustrating delay awaiting travel documents and transport ensued.

There was further frustration once in the UK, awaiting permission to come home. It was not until August 1945 that most internees returned to joyous reunions with friends and family last seen nearly three years earlier.

By that time, the Island was ready for one final part in its liberation story. Having completed their allotted tasks, the troops of Force 135 prepared to leave. On 23 August, the States Assembly held a special sitting to bid farewell to their commanding officer, who was departing the next day.

Coming to Jersey was a delight for all the liberating forces, Brigadier Snow told an appreciative chamber, but for him it was, 'the greatest experience he had known.' Yet time had come, in accordance with promises made, for the Island's handover to its normal system of government on 24 August.

For Jersey's liberators it was also time to say farewell, Snow concluded with a flourish, "A helot - goodbye."