28th June 1940
German planes attack St Helier
Nobody in the British government thought to tell Germany that it had demilitarised the Channel Islands. Thus, in advance of its invasion and occupation, Germany sent in a squadron of bombers, which dropped its payload on both St Helier and St Peter Port harbours. Nine locals were killed in the Jersey raid, which also struck La Rocque, and several others were injured.
Several killed and injured
The official Home Office announcement stated, “at least six persons were killed and several more were injured in Jersey, while, in Guernsey, 23 persons were killed and 36 injured. As stated last night, the Channel Islands have been demilitarised and all armed forces and equipment have already been withdrawn.”
Not only were the forces stationed in the Channel Islands moved back to the mainland: so was anything that could have been of use to German troops when the inevitable invasion took place, including tomato and potato crops.
Intention to kill
Many mainland newspapers carried the same report of the raid, in which locals said that the aircraft had approached from high altitude but swept down so low that it was evident their intent was to kill civilians, many of whom had stopped to watch the unexpected, approaching planes.
An unnamed correspondent was quoted as saying that three raids had taken place. Together, they lasted two hours and caused considerable damage to several hotels, a timber store and a coal yard, requiring the attendance of the fire brigade. The German aircraft remained in formation throughout the attack.
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Other events that occured in June
Princess Elizabeth visits Jersey
- Princess Elizabeth, who would later become Queen Elizabeth II, visited Jersey on 22 June 1949 as part of a wider trip to the Channel Islands.
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Odeon cinema opens for the first time
- Jersey’s first Odeon cinema opened in Bath Street on 2 June 1952. It had a capacity of almost 1,400 if every seat was sold.
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Haut de la Garenne accepts its first boys
- The children’s home at Haut de la Garenne attracted unwelcome attention as the site of serious and sustained child abuse activities.
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Jesse Boot, of Boots chemist, dies in Jersey
- Although founded by John Boot, Boots the chemist owes its early success to John’s son, Jesse, who died in Jersey, aged 81, in June 1931.
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