Islands at War
A Podcast about the occupation of the Channel Islands by German forces 1940 to 1945. Focusing on personal experiences of those that lived through it using diaries and our own research. Social, practical and military aspects of the occupation of the Channel Islands.
Join Keith Pengelley and Nick Le Huray as they talk you through the occupation month by month. Oh and we drop our own family stories in as well.
We will talk you through the occupation as it happened.
Questions welcome at occupied@gnetradio.com
Episodes
53 episodes
FRANK OGIER - EVACUATION TO ENGLAND AND LIFE - CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF EVACUATION
This conversation explores the personal experiences of Frank Ogier during World War II, focusing on evacuation, life in England, and the impact of war on families and communities. He shares vivid memories of his childhood, the challenges his fa...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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24:18
JANUARY 1943 - PART 2 DEPORTATION DILEMMAS, RUMOURS, GANG ON THE LOOSE, CRIME, AIRCRAFT AND MUCH MORE
This conversation delves into the historical context of January 1943 in the Channel Islands during World War II, focusing on the rumours and realities of deportations, the local authorities' responses, and the impact of military actions on the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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52:12
JANUARY 1943 - PART ONE - SHIPPING SHOCKER, AIR RAIDS, A CRAFTY FRENCHMAN, PARTIES AND MUCH MORE!
It is January 1943 and as with December 1942 it will be a two episode month because so much happened. In the first January 1943 episode Keith and Nick talk about:- New Year Parties - some have more fun than o...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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1:02:06
DECEMBER 1942 - PART 2 -WHIRLIBOMBERS, WELLINGTONS, FORCED WORKERS, CONVOY ATTACKED, CRIME & MORE
This episode delves into part 2 of our discussion of December 1942 in the Channel Islands during the German occupation. It explores the plight of slave workers, the experiences of local residents, the impact of war on daily life, and the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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55:06
DECEMBER1942 - PART 1 BLACK MARKET, PROHIBITED ZONES, FORCED REGISTRATION FOR LABOUR, REGISTRATION OF GUESTS, RUMOURS OF GERMAN DEPARTUE
In this episode of Islands at War, hosts Keith Pengelley and Nick Le Huray delve into the complexities of life in Guernsey during the German occupation in December 1942. They discuss the establishment of prohibited zones, the registration of lo...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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1:00:39
VOICE OF THE OCCUPATION - NICK SPEAKS TO OLIVE HAMON ABOUT HER EVACUATION EXPERIENCE AND HER FAMILY EXPERIENCE OF OCCUPATION
Nick speaks to 95 year old Olive Hamon. This conversation explores the experiences of individuals during the evacuation and occupation of Guernsey during World War II. It delves into personal stories of hardship, resilience, and the impact of w...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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29:51
SPECIAL - AUTHOR THERESA LE FLEM TALKS ABOUT HER LATEST BOOK 'FREEDOM ON THE MORNING TIDE'
SummaryIn this conversation, Keith Pengelley talks to Theresa Le Flem about her novels set during and after World War II, focusing on the experiences of characters in Guernsey. They explore the themes of survival, love, and the impact o...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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31:29
NOVEMBER 1942 - THE FRANKEN SPITFIRE, AN AUSTRALIAN SPITFIRE PILOT, THE SARK LANCASTER
This episode we have the stories of two Spitfire Pilots who having been shot down in the Channel Islands end up at Stalag Luft III and one of them takes part in the Great Escape.A Lancaster crash lands in Sark and the crew survive only t...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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55:01
TRAILER AND SOME MESSAGES
Hi AllWe aren't able to record the November 1942 as Keith isn't well. We do have an important message for one correspondent and look forward to November 1942 episode which will be out 30 June.Please check out the The Guernse...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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5:11
OCTOBER 1942 - OPERATION BASALT, A ROBBERY AND MUCH MORE....
This episode explores the occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II, focusing on the experiences of the local population, the impact of food shortages, crime, and acts of defiance. The discussion includes personal accounts from diar...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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1:00:07
SPECIAL - NICK & KATIE TALK TO JENNY O'BRIEN ABOUT HER LATEST BOOK. THE BOOK OF LOST CHILDREN
Nick & Katie talk to Jenny O'Brien about her fantastic new book 'The Book of Lost Children' In this conversation, the Jenny discusses her book which marks a departure from her previous crime thrillers to historical fiction. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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28:58
SEPTEMBER 1942 - OPERATION DRYAD, ESCAPE AND TRAITORS
This episode explores the impact of military operations, including commando raids and the strategic significance of locations like the Casquets and Alderney. The discussion also highlights the complexities of collaboration and resistance during...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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54:59
AUGUST 1942 - CRIME WAVE, JITTERY GERMANS, ARP & ESPIONAGE
This episode explores the various challenges faced by the people of Guernsey & Jersey during August 1942, including a rising crime wave, the role of the Red Cross, transportation changes, the thriving black market, and the impact of occupat...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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1:00:32
PODCAST JULY 1942 - MUSSOLINI, RADIOS, MONEY, PENSIONS PALAVA, HOSTAGES, RAMROD RAIDS AND MUCH MORE!
This episode of the Islands at War podcast delves into the complexities of life during the German occupation of Jersey in July 1942. Through the lens of Louis Guillemette's diary, we explore the impact of leaflet distribution, the th...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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57:36
June 1942: A Month of Turmoil
In this episode, the hosts delve into the events of June 1942 in Jersey and Guernsey during the German occupation. They discuss various topics including the challenges of movement between the islands, a mysterious cobbler's attempt to return to...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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56:36
SPECIAL - WILLIAM PENGELLEY
For this episode Keith provides a detailed account of William Henry Pengelly's life and naval career, highlighting his experiences from joining the Royal Navy in 1915 through both World Wars, his survival of significant naval battles, and the i...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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35:43
MAY 1942! CONSEQUENCES OF ESCAPE FROM JERSEY, INVASION PREPARATIONS, LAUGHING AT THE GERMANS AND MORE
This episode explores the challenges faced during the occupation of the Channel Islands in World War II, focusing on food supply issues, escape attempts, personal stories of individuals affected by the war, and the role of theatre as a form of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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56:03
WERNER RANG - PODCAST SPECIAL WITH HIS GRANDSON ANDY CREBER
I had the great pleasure of talking to Andy Creber about his Grandfather Werner Rang. A well-known Sark resident post war.This conversation delves into the remarkable life of Werner Rang, a German medical orderly conscripted during World...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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17:33
APRIL 1942 - THE POLICEMEN ARE SENTENCED, MURDER IN SARK, IMPACT OF MALNUTRITION AND MORE
This episode delves into the daily life and struggles of individuals living under German occupation in Guernsey during World War II. It highlights the challenges of food shortages, the impact of malnutrition on health, and the compl...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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1:00:24
SPECIAL WITH SIMON DE LA RUE - 80 DAYS TO LIBERATION
Nick spoke to Simon De La Rue of the Guernsey Press about his project 80 days to Liberation which started on 18 February and runs all the way to the 80th anniversary of Liberation on 9 May 2025. Find out what the project involves, h...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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19:54
MARCH 1942 - THE ENTIRE GUERNSEY POLICE FORCE ARE ARRESTED, GERMAN SECRET POLICE, ALDERNEY EVENTS AND A FUNNY STORY FROM JERSEY!
March is a busy month with a lot going on!Not least the whole of the Guernsey Police Force being arrested. We talk about how this happened.A bit about the German Police and their methods.A funny story from Jersey!...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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1:00:22
FEBRUARY 1942 EPSIODE IS OUT! WE TALK SOME DIFFICULT TOPICS PLUS THIEVES, RATS, SPANIARDS AND MORE.
February 1942 had some fairly depressing and difficult topics for us to discuss not least the eighth Jewish Order. They are important to discuss and particularly as this episode was recorded during the week of the 80th Anniversary of the libera...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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1:01:03
JANUARY 1942 - RAF AIR RAID ON ST PETER PORT AND A NEW YEAR TRAGEDY!
This episode we talk about the attack on German shipping in the harbour. It was a spectacular low-level attack by three Beauforts of 82 Squadron Coastal Command. Listen to me talk about the raid and the death of a local man wh...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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56:39
USE OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGE GUERNÉSIAIS, A FORM OF NORMAN FRENCH, DURING THE OCCUPATION
Nick had a brainwave that it might be fun to explore the use of the local language, Guernésiais, Pronounced 'JEHR-nehz-yay', it is also known as 'Guernsey French' or 'patois'. It is a form of Norman French, which evolved from the Vulgar L...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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1:05:39
DECEMBER 1941 - CHRISTMAS COMPARISONS, MILITARY ACTIVITY HOTS UP, A HUGE GUN, UNWELCOME GUESTS, FOOD AND MORE
It is the December 1941 episode and we look at what Christmas was like for different families and across the Channel Islands. We talk about food and some of the crazy prices being paid for livestock, difficulties in obtaining some s...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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55:37