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New videos bring WW2 occupation diaries to life

Jersey Heritage A wall with 12 pictures of people who lived through the German occupation of JerseyJersey Heritage
The experiences of those who lived through the final days of the occupation are being brought to life in a new video series

The diaries of islanders who lived through Jersey's occupation during World War Two are being brought to life in a new video series.

The videos have been put together as part of Jersey Heritage's memoir project and focus on the last six months of the occupation in 1944 and 1945.

The project had been created to mark the 80th anniversary of Jersey's liberation in 2025, project leaders said.

Vic Tanner-Davy, Jersey Heritage head of programmes, said: "We've picked eight diarists from the occupation and they all tell a different story, a different side of life from those times."

He added: "We start on 24 December1944 and go through until 9 May 1945, and it tells the story of the last six months of war.

"For some of the events that happen, you see the rumour and then you begin to see two or three days later the truth of what happened. So it's very first person, very real."

Vic Tanner-Davy is wearing a black blazer and is standing in front of a wall of pictures
Vic Tanner-Davy said the project was designed to mark the 80th anniversary of liberation from German occupation

The experiences of Ralph Mollet, who was secretary to island's bailiff in the final days of the occupation, are portrayed by Mr Tanner-Davy.

But it is not just the experiences of islanders that feature in the project.

The diary of Baron Hans Max von Aufsees, chief administrator of the occupying forces, is also included.

Mr Tanner-Davy said: "His diary records the trials and tribulations he was going through in terms of not necessarily holding to the Nazi ideology, having a wife in prison in Germany because of her views, and trying to hold the administration of the island on a very practical level."

A black and white picture of Baron Von Aufsess, he is wearing German military uniform and a has a cigarette in his mouth.
The diary of Baron Von Aufsess, a German officer, is also featured in the memoir project

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