Adolf Hitler, the German leader wanted to make Germany greater so he made plans to take over the surrounding territories. Countries like Great Britain and France agreed that if Hitler invaded Poland they would wage war against the Germans.
On September 3rd 1939 Germany invaded Poland and Britain, including Guernsey, was at war. By 1940, the Germans had occupied France, Holland and Belgium and on July 1st 1940 they reached the Channel Islands. Guernsey was occupied and taken over by the Germans. Many other countries joined in the war and the Germans did not reach Britain itself. By 1945 the countries taken over by the Germans were being freed by Britain and her allies. On May 8th 1945 the Germans surrendered and on May 9th 1945 British troops arrived in Guernsey to liberate her from German rule.
To find out more about children who lived in Guernsey during the Occupation
click on Through
the Eyes of a Child on the menu.
Activity sheet 1 - comparing clothes worn in 1942 with those of today.
Activity Sheet 2 - writing a poem based on first hand accounts of the bombing of St Peter Port harbour.
Resources - Click on "Through the Eyes of a Child" above, then "The Germans are Coming".
