Jersey War Tunnels: Reflecting on the Past

Jersey War Tunnels: A Tour through History for a German Tourist

The Jersey War Tunnels, located in the beautiful countryside of St. Lawrence, are not just a historical site but a way of understanding the multifaceted and sometimes rather ambiguous attitude of the Jersey people towards the German forces during the Second World War.

A Complex Relationship

Jersey is one of the Channel Islands which were the only parts of the British Isles to be occupied by Germans during the Second World War. The Jersey War Tunnels, built first as a German underground hospital by the forced labourers in the most appalling circumstances, are a symbol of the occupation of the island for five years. When a visitor is in the dark corridors, it is not the construction history or the military tactics that impress, but the life of the Jersey people and Germans during this period.
The museum depicts the rather complex relationship between the locals and the occupying forces. The tunnels are well-illustrated through various exhibits that show the different types of relationships that emerged from hostility and resistance to friendship and cooperation.

Life in Occupied Jersey

A big part of the exhibition in The Jersey War Tunnels is devoted to showcasing the islanders' lives during the occupation. The exhibits demonstrate that the people of Jersey were in a precarious situation. On one hand, they faced challenges like food scarcity, curfews, and constant fear of revenge. On the other hand, they were living side by side with German soldiers who, despite being the enemy, were also young men far from home, many of whom attempted to be friendly with the locals.

The accounts of the interpersonal encounters between the Jerseymen and the Germans were the most interesting for me. For example, there were cases where islanders gave their meagre rations to the soldiers or where people became friends because of music or sports. These interactions, though some of them were forced, gave a different perspective of the occupation that was not just black and white, the oppressor and the oppressed.

A Balanced Perspective

It is always a moving experience to visit the Jersey War Tunnels, as they give a fair account of a dark period in history. The museum does not hide the fact that the occupation was accompanied by the use of forced labour and severe punishment for any attempts to resist it, but at the same time, it tells about the people who were able to remain human in the conditions of war.



The Jersey War Tunnels offer a view into the past and much more. They offer an opportunity to consider the nature of human interactions during the war. To anyone who has ever wanted to know more about history, the tunnels are a clear indication that there is more to history than meets the eye. They prove that history is not only about nations or armies but also about people and their decisions.
The Jersey War Tunnels are a must-see for anyone who wants to learn more about the complexity of history and the legacy of the Second World War in Jersey and for the German people.