FEBRUARY 1944 - RADIOS, RUMOURS, POUNDS, PANTO & SPIES!

Islands at War

Islands at War
FEBRUARY 1944 - RADIOS, RUMOURS, POUNDS, PANTO & SPIES!
Feb 09, 2026 Season 1 Episode 70

Summary

In this episode, the hosts discuss the events of February 1944 in the Channel Islands during World War II, exploring themes of optimism amidst ongoing conflict, the experiences of those in German camps, the impact of military orders on civilian life, and the resilience of the local population. They delve into the complexities of banking and financial support, the role of informants, and the cultural efforts to maintain morale through music and community activities. The conversation also touches on the moral dilemmas faced during occupation and the planning for post-war recovery.

You can find lots of pictures and other information related to this episode here

Takeaways

  • February 1944 brought a sense of optimism for resolution in the war.
  • Life in German camps varied, with some freedoms allowed.
  • Red Cross parcels were sent back to the Channel Islands.
  • Informants role in the German occupation.
  • Resistance and defiance were present in the Channel Islands.
  • The impact of war affected daily life and morale.
  • Military orders often disrupted civilian life.
  • Cultural activities, like music, helped maintain morale.
  • Financial exploitation by Germans created significant debt.
  • Post-war planning focused on rebuilding and preserving the islands.


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If you want to email in a question send it to occupied@gnetradio.com.

You can find out more about the occupation on Nick’s website Island Fortress here.

Thanks to Gnet Radio for recording the podcast and thanks to Jim Delbridge for the use of his song ‘5 to 7’ as our theme.


Episode Artwork FEBRUARY 1944 - RADIOS, RUMOURS, POUNDS, PANTO & SPIES! 1:10:17 Episode Artwork JANUARY 1944 - A YEAR OF HOPE, COURT MARTIAL,TUNNELS & TRIBULATIONS 57:34 Episode Artwork DECEMBER 1943 - HEDY UPDATE, £1 RACKET, BLACK MARKET & SCANDAL 1:05:30 Episode Artwork NOVEMBER 1943 - HEDWIG ESCAPES, MONUMENT BLOWN UP, FUNERAL FURORE AND MUCH MORE 56:55 Episode Artwork SPECIAL - DAVE HEWITT TALKS ABOUT HIS 40 YEAR INTEREST IN THE OCCUPATION AND HIS COLLECTION 55:13 Episode Artwork SPECIAL EPISODE - COMMANDO RAIDS ON THE CHANNEL ISLANDS DECEMBER 1943 19:58 Episode Artwork OCTOBER 1943 - CENSORSHIP, THE GOAT IS BACK, ARRESTS, FOOD AND DISAGREEMENTS 53:08 Episode Artwork SEPTEMBER 1943 - THE TIDE IS TURNING, MORALE AND A TRAGIC DEATH 1:18:04 Episode Artwork AUGUST 1943 - ESCAPE, CENSORSHIP, RAF RAIDS AND A BIZARRE LEGAL CASE! 1:27:43 Episode Artwork JULY 1943 - THREE YEARS OF OCCUPATION, HEALTH, RATIONS, ARRESTS AND RESISTANCE 1:02:39 Episode Artwork SPECIAL - INTERVIEWS WITH SOME WHO WERE CHILDREN DURING THE OCCUPATION, AN EVACUEE EXPERIENCE AND MORE. 36:04 Episode Artwork JUNE 1943 PODCAST -GERMANS HUNT FOR GOLD AND DIAMONDS, BINOCULARS BUNGLE, UNITED CLUB RAID, CENSORSHIP AND CINEMA! 1:00:35 Episode Artwork MAY 1943 - RAF RAIDS, STAND OFF WITH THE GERMANS, DISASTORUS RATIONING CUTS & SHIPPING SUNK 1:00:18 Episode Artwork IWM PODCAST LIVE FESTIVAL - INTERVIEW WITH IWM's HEAD OF PUBLIC HISTORY, JAMES BULGIN 44:44 Episode Artwork APRIL 1943 PODCAST IS OUT! 18 ARRESTED AND TRIED IN JERSEY, SINKING SHIPS, RAF RAIDS AND MORE! 1:00:43 Episode Artwork MARCH 1943 - COURT CASES, DEPORTATION, BLACK MARKET AND MORE 1:00:20 Episode Artwork FEBRUARY 1943 - DEPORTATIONS, WAR CRIMES, MILK MISBEHAVIOUR, MINEFIELDS & WHIRLWINDS 1:01:16 Episode Artwork FRANK OGIER - EVACUATION TO ENGLAND AND LIFE - CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF EVACUATION 24:18 Episode Artwork JANUARY 1943 - PART 2 DEPORTATION DILEMMAS, RUMOURS, GANG ON THE LOOSE, CRIME, AIRCRAFT AND MUCH MORE 52:12 Episode Artwork JANUARY 1943 - PART ONE - SHIPPING SHOCKER, AIR RAIDS, A CRAFTY FRENCHMAN, PARTIES AND MUCH MORE! 1:02:06 Episode Artwork DECEMBER 1942 - PART 2 -WHIRLIBOMBERS, WELLINGTONS, FORCED WORKERS, CONVOY ATTACKED, CRIME & MORE 55:06 Episode Artwork DECEMBER1942 - PART 1 BLACK MARKET, PROHIBITED ZONES, FORCED REGISTRATION FOR LABOUR, REGISTRATION OF GUESTS, RUMOURS OF GERMAN DEPARTUE 1:00:39 Episode Artwork VOICE OF THE OCCUPATION - NICK SPEAKS TO OLIVE HAMON ABOUT HER EVACUATION EXPERIENCE AND HER FAMILY EXPERIENCE OF OCCUPATION 29:51 Episode Artwork SPECIAL - AUTHOR THERESA LE FLEM TALKS ABOUT HER LATEST BOOK 'FREEDOM ON THE MORNING TIDE' 31:29 Episode Artwork NOVEMBER 1942 - THE FRANKEN SPITFIRE, AN AUSTRALIAN SPITFIRE PILOT, THE SARK LANCASTER 55:01