70 years since liberation of the Channel Islands: A special tour of Alderney – May 2015
Alderney was the only Channel Island evacuated by its citizens before the occupation of the
Germans during 1940 – 1945 The Germans occupied the island in July 1940 and turned the island
into an impregnable fortress as part of the Atlantic Wall. Their fortifications add to the numerous
picturesque forts that circle the island, built by the Victorians to counter the threat from increased
French naval power in the Channel in the 1840s onward.
There is a huge amount for anyone with an interest in WW2 history or fortifications to explore in
Alderney. There are few signs or notices on Alderney so you can enjoy the sites without clutter.
This tour is with Trevor Davenport, expert and author of the guide to Alderney’s German
fortifications Festung Alderney, and Alderney’s Victorian Forts and Harbour ; it allows members the
opportunity to:
Visit some of the most interesting and best preserved German defences in the Channel
Islands;
Find out what life was like for the occupying troops and the forced labourers who mostly
constructed the main defences;
Enjoy this beautiful island in the Spring. For history-lovers there is plenty to see that does
not relate to WW2 – from the Roman Fort; artefacts from an Elizabethan wreck and the 18 Victorian
forts and batteries;
Date
13 – 16 April 2015
Itinerary
Day 1 – arrive by flight from Southampton (direct link by train from London Waterloo) to
Alderney. Tonight begins with a welcome drink at the Braye Beach Hotel and introductory talk by
Trevor Davenport.
Day 2 – A visit to the Alderney Museum and tour of the island, including Victorian forts; remains of
German labour camps . During this tour we will consider the island from the view of the German
invaders and the workers who built the fortifications; the evening will include a viewing of the film
I’ile d’Adolphe.
Day 3 – A visit to the Strongpoint Türkenburg and Strongpoint Josephburg/Fort Grosnez/
Marinepeilstand 3 (known locally as the Odeon) and the adjacent 88mm Flak battery and
Strongpoint Biberkopf. We’ll consider the German technical prowess in building the fortifications.
Weather permitting we may be able to consider a tour of fortifications from a boat trip.
Day 4 - Journey home to the UK.
Cost includes flight from Southampton to Alderney, transfers and tours, bed and breakfast
accommodation at Braye Beach Hotel, 3 course dinner on one evening; cinema viewing.
The cost is £475 sharing a bedroom, and £575 for single room use.
It is possible to extend your stay or to fly from different airports in the UK to Alderney via Guernsey,
including Gatwick and Manchester. For further details contact xxxxx
www.visitalderney.com
www.brayebeach.com