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Jersey - Occupation and Liberation

The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by the Germans during World War II. This very special holiday will take you right back to those times, with the chance to speak to several people who lived through the Occupation, an opportunity to get behind the scenes and see things not normally open to the public and, on our 65th anniversary of Liberation tour, the chance to celebrate with those who still remember the first Liberation Day – May 9th 1945.

Holiday Itinerary

Flights are available from the following airports: Exeter, Southampton, Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle. Flight supplements may apply. Call for more details of flight prices/times.

5-Day Break from only £459

• Day 1 – Fly from your chosen airport. Upon arrival in Jersey you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening we will begin with a welcome drink followed by an introductory talk. D
• Day 2 – Jersey War Tunnels and Noirmont Headland We visit the Jersey War Tunnels – an enormous tunnel complex built by the Germans as an artillery barracks but converted into a firstaid field bunker as an emergency stand-by in 1943. It is now an excellent museum telling the complete story, through interactive displays, of the Occupation. We have also specially arranged a personal introduction to the complex and exclusive access to their archive under the supervision of their Curator. Time for lunch (not included) in War Tunnels café. In the afternoon, we head out to the coast for a private guided tour of Noirmont headland, the site of Batterie Lothringen, one of four naval artillery batteries installed by the Germans in the Channel Islands and bought by the States of Jersey after World War II as a permanent war memorial. You will gain access to parts of the site not normally opened up to the general public. B, D
• Day 3 – Sites of Occupation and Defence Today the transport is a beautiful vintage Bedford coach driven by Gerald Le Marrec, who was born in 1932 and was a lad in Jersey during the Occupation, so he has many stories to tell. First we head east to La Hougue Bie, one of the finest Neolithic sites in Europe and the site of a German Command Bunker. This now houses a moving memorial dedicated to the suffering and courage of the thousands of forced workers brought to the Island during the war. Our guide here will be Bob Le Sueur who, as a young man, got to know several such people. Then, we head west for an early lunch (included) at the La Corbière Phare restaurant, enjoying the amazing views out to sea in the company of David Gainsborough Roberts, a local collector of Third Reich memorabilia, who will talk about and show some of his collection over lunch. In the afternoon our guide will be Blue Badge trained, and knowledgable about the period. The tour will start at the German fortifications at Corbière and will take in the anti-tank wall in St. Ouen’s Bay, the Channel Islands Military Museum, Strongpoint L’Etacquerel and Moltke Battery at Les Landes B, L, D
• Day 4 – Occupation Walk A guided ‘Occupation Walk’ round St. Helier which will include the Victory V in Royal Square, the Military Cemetery in Howard Davis Park (See opposite information), Havre des Pas, West Mount, Liberation Square and the harbour taking in all the many historic sites, memorials and monuments and ending up with a visit to the Occupation Tapestry Gallery at the Maritime Museum with a talk by one of those involved with the tapestry’s creation. Late lunch (not included). The afternoon is free for you to continue to visit the Maritime Museum or simply to explore St. Helier. B, D
• Day 5 – Return Flight back to the U.K. B, D

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

65th Anniversary of the Liberation – 5 days
(Departs 7th May 2010)

• Day 1 – Fly from your chosen airport. Upon arrival in Jersey you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening we will begin with a welcome drink followed by an introductory talk. D
• Day 2 – Jersey War Tunnels and Noirmont Headland We visit the Jersey War Tunnels – an enormous tunnel complex built by the Germans as an artillery barracks but converted into a firstaid field bunker as an emergency stand-by in 1943. It is now an excellent museum telling the complete story, through interactive displays, of the Occupation. We have also specially arranged a personal introduction to the complex and exclusive access to their archive under the supervision of their Curator. Time for lunch (not included) in War Tunnels café. In the afternoon, we head out to the coast for a private guided tour of Noirmont headland, the site of Batterie Lothringen, one of four naval artillery batteries installed by the Germans in the Channel Islands and bought by the States of Jersey after World War II as a permanent war memorial. You will gain access to parts of the site not normally opened up to the general public. B, D
• Day 3 – Liberation Day We begin the anniversary day with an early breakfast at the Jersey War Tunnels. The Liberation of Jersey took place at 7.14 am on 9 May 1945 and every year those who lived through the Occupation are invited to a champagne breakfast at that time. Mingle and celebrate with those who lived through the war, and join in the communal singing. This is followed by a visit to the Occupation Tapestry at the Maritime Museum, which was made by the people of Jersey to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Island’s Liberation. Here the guide is Maggie Moisan, another person with a fund of stories of her Occupation experiences. From there it is just a short walk to Liberation Square for a grandstand view of the Liberation Day service and reenactment which will be followed by an afternoon of fun and entertainment in the Weighbridge area. B, D
• Day 4 – Sites of Occupation and Defence Today the transport is a beautiful vintage Bedford coach driven by Gerald Le Marrec, who was born in 1932 and was a lad in Jersey during the Occupation, so he has many stories to tell. First we head east to La Hougue Bie, one of the finest Neolithic sites in Europe and the site of a German Command Bunker. This now houses a moving memorial dedicated to the suffering and courage of the thousands of forced workers brought to the Island during the war. Our guide here will be Bob Le Sueur who, as a young man, got to know several such people. Then, we head west for an early lunch (included) at the La Corbière Phare restaurant, enjoying the amazing views out to sea in the company of David Gainsborough Roberts, a local collector of Third Reich memorabilia, who will talk about and show some of his collection over lunch. In the afternoon our guide will be Blue Badge trained, and knowledgable about the period. The tour will start at the German fortifications at Corbière and will take in the anti-tank wall in St. Ouen’s Bay, the Channel Islands Military Museum, Strongpoint L’Etacquerel and Moltke Battery at Les Landes B, L, D
• Day 5 – Return Flight back to the U.K. B, D

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Battle of Britain Air Display – 8 days from only £699
(Departs 5th September 2010)

• Day 1 – Fly from your chosen airport. Upon arrival in Jersey you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening we will begin with a welcome drink followed by an introductory talk. D
• Day 2 – Jersey War Tunnels and Noirmont Headland We visit the Jersey War Tunnels – an enormous tunnel complex built by the Germans as an artillery barracks but converted into a firstaid field bunker as an emergency stand-by in 1943. It is now an excellent museum telling the complete story, through interactive displays, of the Occupation. We have also specially arranged a personal introduction to the complex and exclusive access to their archive under the supervision of their Curator. Time for lunch (not included) in War Tunnels café. In the afternoon, we head out to the coast for a private guided tour of Noirmont headland, the site of Batterie Lothringen, one of four naval artillery batteries installed by the Germans in the Channel Islands and bought by the States of Jersey after World War II as a permanent war memorial. You will gain access to parts of the site not normally opened up to the general public. B, D
• Day 3 – Sites of Occupation and Defence Today the transport is a beautiful vintage Bedford coach driven by Gerald Le Marrec, who was born in 1932 and was a lad in Jersey during the Occupation, so he has many stories to tell. First we head east to La Hougue Bie, one of the finest Neolithic sites in Europe and the site of a German Command Bunker. This now houses a moving memorial dedicated to the suffering and courage of the thousands of forced workers brought to the Island during the war. Our guide here will be Bob Le Sueur who, as a young man, got to know several such people. Then, we head west for an early lunch (included) at the La Corbière Phare restaurant, enjoying the amazing views out to sea in the company of David Gainsborough Roberts, a local collector of Third Reich memorabilia, who will talk about and show some of his collection over lunch. In the afternoon our guide will be Blue Badge trained, and knowledgable about the period. The tour will start at the German fortifications at Corbière and will take in the anti-tank wall in St. Ouen’s Bay, the Channel Islands Military Museum, Strongpoint L’Etacquerel and Moltke Battery at Les Landes B, L, D
• Day 4 – Free day to relax. B, D
• Day 5 – Battle of Britain Day A morning guided ‘Occupation Walk’ around St. Helier, which will include the Victory V in Royal Square, the Military Cemetery in Howard Davis Park, Havre des Pas, West Mount, Liberation Square and the harbour, taking in all the many historic sites, memorials and monuments and ending up at the Battle of Britain installations including a static display of helicopters at West Park. This afternoon, enjoy the spectacular Battle of Britain Air Display which takes place over St Aubin’s Bay with the dramatic backdrop of Elizabeth Castle. B, D
• Day 6 – Jersey Airport Behind the Scenes and Maritime Museum A morning tour behind the scenes at the airport. An afternoon visit to the awardwinning Maritime Museum in St Helier and the Occupation Tapestry Gallery where a guide will be on hand to talk about life during the Occupation. B, D
• Day 7 – Today is free for you to relax and do as you please. An optional day excursion to the island of Alderney will be available for those who wish. B, D
• Day 8 – Return flight home.

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner