ATLANTIC WALL: CHANNEL ISLANDS: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark (Battleground Europe) [Paperback]

George Forty (Author)

Book Description

Series: Battleground Europe | Publication Date: June 2002

While the Germans did not succeed in invading Britain during World War II, they occupied a number of islands in the English Channel. The English population continued to lead fairly normal lives, while the German occupiers built some of the most extensive fortifications of the Second World War. As the war progressed, British commandos made occasional attacks, resulting in harsher conditions on the islands. The German garrisons were totally isolated by the D-Day landings, but managed to hold on through the following winter to surrender in May 1945.The author, a renowned military historian, examines these questions with complete candor, in addition to his study of the famous fortifications. All of the wartime events and the islands and their fortifications as they are today are covered in the popular Battleground Europe style, with illustrations, maps and then-and-now photographs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Pen and Sword (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850528585
• ISBN-13: 978-0850528589
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Army of Occupation, February 19, 2005

By 

Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: ATLANTIC WALL: CHANNEL ISLANDS: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark (Battleground Europe) (Paperback)

This Battleground Europe paperback on the Channel Islands: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark from World War II is afforable and interesting. Lt.Col. Forty also covers this same subject in his hardbound, larger volume "Channel Islands at War." Both books, depending on one's interest, and pocketbook, are worth the time.

I became interested in the channel islands of WWII through some of the fictional works of Jack Higgins. A few plots of his novels either take place there, or make mention of the islands. Also, Mr. Higgins is reported to reside on one of them.

The total population of these 4 islands never exceeded 100,000, and was probably closer to 90,000. The home government in London had a hard time determining how they were to be handled, and finally decided on evacuation. But only just as the Germans were bombing and invading. The resultant occupation, and fortification of these island is the focus of Mr. Forty's interesting narratives.

If you want to study another of the off beaten track type WWII book, or two, these are the ones.

Semper Fi.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars British Channel Islands, November 27, 2011

By 

K. Schneider (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ATLANTIC WALL: CHANNEL ISLANDS: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark (Battleground Europe) (Paperback)

Lt Col George Forty (Ret) has written many books over the years, his "Battle Ground" Series book on the Channel Islands while a very quick read is packed with alot of information. Most People do not know about the Channel Islands or the fact it is the only part of the UK that was held by the Nazi during WW2. If you wish to read somethign different and learn about a key piece of history it is a must read book.