Liberation: The Aftermath – Part 3
Clearing Up
While Force 135 may have departed, the task of clearing-up and making safe continued until June 1946. British troops dumped or destroyed over 26,000 tons of ammunition and thousands of weapons during that time. Until completed, the threat to Islanders remained graphicagly clear.
As early as Liberation Day, one young Islander had been seriously injured playing with abandoned ammunition on the New North Quay. Sadly, further injuries and even loss of young lives would occur over the months and years to follow.
Concrete fortifications proved more problematic to remove. A few inconveniently placed specimens faced destruction, but the effort involved usually outweighed benefits. Stripped of metalwork during post-war scrap drives, most bunkers were landscaped over or blocked up. It was time to, bury the starkest evidence of occupation and move on.
Truly moving on meant addressing one uncomfortable but lingering question. How had Islanders behaved under the duress of enemy occupation?
Following liberation, there had been swift justice for a few blatant collaborators, with arrests and deportations. Yet some British politicians seemed determined to find evidence of widespread support for the occupying forces. Had Jersey too swiftly surrendered its 'Britishness', they surmised, too fully cooperated with the enemy.
Rightly, more level-headed investigators found no case to answer . Left to-fend for themselves in 1940, Islanders and their leadership had pragmatically adapted to survive the trials of occupation. There had been cooperation, when the interests of Islanders were at stake, but not collaboration. In 1946, Alexander Coutanche received a much-deserved knighthood in recognition of his wartime achievements.
Clearing Up
While Force 135 may have departed, the task of clearing-up and making safe continued until June 1946. British troops dumped or destroyed over 26,000 tons of ammunition and thousands of weapons during that time. Until completed, the threat to Islanders remained graphicagly clear.
As early as Liberation Day, one young Islander had been seriously injured playing with abandoned ammunition on the New North Quay. Sadly, further injuries and even loss of young lives would occur over the months and years to follow.
Concrete fortifications proved more problematic to remove. A few inconveniently placed specimens faced destruction, but the effort involved usually outweighed benefits. Stripped of metalwork during post-war scrap drives, most bunkers were landscaped over or blocked up. It was time to, bury the starkest evidence of occupation and move on.
Truly moving on meant addressing one uncomfortable but lingering question. How had Islanders behaved under the duress of enemy occupation?
Following liberation, there had been swift justice for a few blatant collaborators, with arrests and deportations. Yet some British politicians seemed determined to find evidence of widespread support for the occupying forces. Had Jersey too swiftly surrendered its 'Britishness', they surmised, too fully cooperated with the enemy.
Rightly, more level-headed investigators found no case to answer . Left to-fend for themselves in 1940, Islanders and their leadership had pragmatically adapted to survive the trials of occupation. There had been cooperation, when the interests of Islanders were at stake, but not collaboration. In 1946, Alexander Coutanche received a much-deserved knighthood in recognition of his wartime achievements.
There was further recognition, however, of a need for change in this post-liberation world. The war had not just physically altered Jersey, but greatly affected its people's outlook and expectations.
A 1946 Privy Council Committee recommended the radical overhaul of Island government. Non-elected States Members, the Jurats and Rectors, must give way to newly created Senators and more Deputies, especially representing urban populations.
A 1946 Privy Council Committee recommended the radical overhaul of Island government. Non-elected States Members, the Jurats and Rectors, must give way to newly created Senators and more Deputies, especially representing urban populations.
In 1948, the first election took place under the new system. Among those joining the States was its first female politician, Deputy Ivy Forster who had been incarcerated by the Germans in 1944 for aiding escaped slave workers.
By the time of that election, Jersey had marked three anniversaries of liberation. There were parades, services, ceremonies and celebrations. The tradition understandably took hold, especially after 1952 when 9 May became a public holiday.
Among most significant was the 50th anniversary in 1995. That year saw Liberation Square opened in front of the Pomme d'Or Hotel and unveiling of a bronze Philip Jackson sculpture commemorating the joyous moment of freedom. Its events, which included a re-enactment of the troops landing and flag-raising, have helped shape Liberation Day traditions and ceremonies ever since.
Long may they continue!
By the time of that election, Jersey had marked three anniversaries of liberation. There were parades, services, ceremonies and celebrations. The tradition understandably took hold, especially after 1952 when 9 May became a public holiday.
Among most significant was the 50th anniversary in 1995. That year saw Liberation Square opened in front of the Pomme d'Or Hotel and unveiling of a bronze Philip Jackson sculpture commemorating the joyous moment of freedom. Its events, which included a re-enactment of the troops landing and flag-raising, have helped shape Liberation Day traditions and ceremonies ever since.
Long may they continue!
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