THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24400, 11 September 1940, Page 9

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

GERMAN OCCUPATION The peaceful occupation by Germany of the Channel Islands followed the delivery of an ultimatum, demanding surrender, which was tied to a sandbag and dropped on a housetop in Jersey by a Nazi dive-bomber on June 30. The notice, which was translated into English and posted all over the islands, was issued by the commander of the German air forces in Normandy, and stated his intention to neutralise military establishments by occupation It was required, as evidence that the islands would surrender the military and other establishments without resistance, that white flags should be shown at prominent places from early on July 2, with the alternative that a heavy bombardment would take place against all military objects and all establishments and objects useful for defence. The ultimatum required that the signs of surrender must remain up to the time of occupation bv German troops, and that representatives of the authorities must remain at the airport until the occupation. It declared that all radio traffic and other communications with authorities outside the islands would be considered hostile actions and would be followed by bombardment, and that in case of peaceful surrender the lives, property and liberty of peaceful inhabitants were solemnly guaranteed.