Living with the Enemy-The Story of the German Occupation of the Channel Islands 1940-1945, with eye-witness accounts from both sides. Foreword by Jack Higgins by Loughlin Roy Mc

Author:Loughlin, Roy Mc [Loughlin, Roy Mc]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Channel Island Publishing
Published: 2011-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Liberation and Aftermath

The surrender of German forces in the Channel Islands was not so straightforward as it might have been if the Commander had been anyone else but Vice-Admiral Hüffmeier. He was not a man to accept defeat. Four days before the historic cease-fire Southern Command of the British Army sent a radio message to Hüffmeier suggesting that he should make clear whether he intended offering resistance to the liberating force, bearing in mind that the end of the war was near. No reply came through until three days later. It was terse and to the point. “I only take orders from my government.”

On May 7th the Germans in Europe capitulated to the Allies and the Nazi Admiral Dönitz who had inherited Hitler’s authority sent a radio signal to Hüffmeier, ordering him to surrender. An order from a superior officer, particularly the Supreme Commander, was not a communication to be ignored. Yet Hüffmeier was disinclined to obey. He had always said that he would hold out in the Islands whatever happened on the other fronts. He believed that his troops could be kept alive for months solely on Jersey and Guernsey milk when other food stocks had ended. Moreover he was in command of the most strongly fortified positions in western Europe.

It was in a spirit of compromise that he radioed British Army Southern Command fixing a rendezvous near Les Hanois lighthouse off the south west corner of Guernsey. In answer to the message, Brigadier A. E. Snow, in charge of the liberation troops, left Plymouth in the destroyer H.M.S. Bulldog, accompanied by H.M.S. Beagle. Arriving at the rendezvous, he expected to meet Vice-Admiral Hüffmeier in person but, instead, a rusty minesweeper came out to the lighthouse bearing a junior officer who said he was authorised by his chief to discuss terms for an armistice – that is, a short cessation of hostilities.

Brigadier Snow at once set the record straight. There could be no armistice. Hüffmeier or a properly accredited deputy must sign a document certifying the unconditional surrender of the Islands. But the confrontation was not yet finished. The junior officer replied that, if the armistice discussion was not acceptable, H.M.S. Bulldog with Brigadier Snow had better depart from Guernsey waters otherwise they could be fired on from the shore.

To this deliberate misunderstanding of the situation Brigadier Snow responded with admirable British aplomb. He told the young German officer to go back to his master and tell him that if he persisted in this attitude he would certainly be hanged after the Islands had finally been brought under a normal administration. Ten hours later another emissary from Hüffmeier appeared, Major-General Heine, the Island commander of Guernsey. Hüffmeier had evidently thought over his predicament and realised that either he would have to obey the order from the German High Command or, if he continued to hold out in the Islands, would do so in complete isolation.

It was midnight when Major-General Heine came aboard to discuss details of the hand over.

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