
The German Occupation of Jersey
Agriculture and Survival in a Time of War
Andrew Gilson(Author)
Amberley Publishing
Will be published approx. on 15. September 2023
Book
Hardback
544 pages
978-1-3981-1841-6 (ISBN)
Description
On 1 July 1940 the Germans occupied Jersey and remained until the end of the war in Europe in May 1945. On Jersey, agriculture was the only economic activity left after the Germans arrived on the Island. It became the basis of Island life and, as the war wore on, the isolated Jersey became increasingly dependent on agriculture for its survival, particularly during near starvation in the winter of 1944. In this book local historian Andrew Gilson examines the relationship between the German Military Government and the civilian government and civil service on Jersey, and how they had to work together to ensure the Island's survival through its farming industry. Based on hundreds of original documents from Jersey, including those held by the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society, other Channel Islands, Germany, France, Austria and elsewhere in Europe, the author reveals the complex relationship between the German occupiers, civilian authorities and the farming community. Accusations of collaboration and stories of sabotage, German exports of produce, the development of tobacco as a cash economy, the exploitation of Jersey cattle by Nazi scientists to create a new 'superbreed', German requisition of foodstuffs and the black market all played their part in this fascinating story. This groundbreaking and original study of the German occupation of Jersey will be of interest to all those wishing to know more about the history of Jersey as well as to military historians.
Reviews / Votes
'This new release is a thought-provoking insight into life on the Island during the Occupation. Food shortages were a very real problem and Mr Gilson's book really does provide food for thought.' -- Anthony Clarke, The Jersey Evening Post, September 2023 'Retired history master Andrew Gilson's gripping book is full of intrigue - stories of sabotage, collaboration, the black market, tobacco and Nazi plans for a bovine uebermensch all combine to make this a page-turner.' -- The Field, November 2023 'The book is well illustrated with archive photographs and tables of data and provides a comprehensive record of a key period of Jersey's history.' -- Family Tree Magazine, December 2023More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chalford
United Kingdom
Illustrations
8 Plates, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
878 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3981-1841-6 (9781398118416)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Author Andrew Gilson grew up in Jersey and at an early age was fascinated by the German occupation, often cycling around the Island looking for German artifacts. He was educated at Beaulieu Convent and De La Salle College, Jersey. He attended the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and was awarded an honours degree in Ancient History and Archaeology and an M. Phil. in Archaeology. In addition, he studied for a PGCE and was awarded the Wright Prize in Education. He worked as an archaeologist for several years, on Hadrian's Wall and in North Africa, and has published a number of academic papers in historical and archaeological journals. He subsequently returned to Jersey to teach history for 38 years and retired as Head of History at Victoria College, Jersey.
Author
Foreword
Chief Executive & Secretary of the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society