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IN PICTURES: Liberation Day as it happened in 1945…

IN PICTURES: Liberation Day as it happened in 1945…

Monday 09 May 2022

IN PICTURES: Liberation Day as it happened in 1945…

Monday 09 May 2022


From the first surrender conference on the HMS Bulldog off Guernsey to British troops arriving and crowds flocking to the Pomme D'Or...

Here's how one of the most important days in Jersey history unfolded, told through pictures...

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Inside the HMS Bulldog off Guernsey, the first surrender conference was taking place. Seated around table, left to right, were Rear Admiral Stuart, DSO, DSC(Retd.), Lt. Col. E G Stoneman, Wing Commander 'Archie' Stewart, DFC, Major John Margeson, Col. Herbert Ralph Power (standing) in charge of civil affairs unit, and Captain Lieut. Armin Zimmermann. Standing in left corner is Intelligence Corps Captain Herzmark and an interpreter.

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Bailiff Alexander Coutanche, Crown officers, German Commandant and officers (pictured here in a boat in front of La Collette) leaving St. Helier Harbour to arrange the surrender of the island. 

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A view from the deck of the HMS Beagle in St. Aubin's Bay, German tug boat FK01, with officers on board coming alongside. 

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A view from deck of HMS Beagle in St. Aubin's Bay, with German officers on board to sign the surrender document.

First launch of the Royal Navy to enter St Heliers harbour. (CREDIT: Neville Le Boutillier/Société Jersiaise)

The first launch of the Royal Navy to enter St. Helier Harbour. (Neville Le Boutillier)

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The first British sailors land in St. Helier Harbour - on board are Cdr MacDonald and Lt Milne. (Neville Le Boutillier)

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The first British sailors arrive. Officers are on shore, while the crowd scrambles for cigarettes. (Neville Le Boutillier)

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Landing crafts of the Belgian ship HMS Prinses Josephine Charlotte in St. Aubin's Bay taking British troops ashore to take part in the liberation.

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Looking from a vessel of British troops towards the beach - wooden matting is laid for trucks on the beach between West Park and First Tower after liberation.

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German troops from Jersey on DUKW, alongside the Prinses Josephine Charlotte, after the liberation.

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German troops - POWs, disembarking at Southampton after liberation.

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Four soldiers of Liberation Force in St. Helier after landing: Sergeant Moody, Sergeant Whitey, Bernard Lawrenson and Sergeant Jack Massey of 230 company RASC, Force 135.

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A view from roof of Jersey Museum, of the Weighbridge with 'DUKWS' of the liberation forces, a crowd of civilians behind barricades at right, Dutch floating crane 'Anté' and German ships the MV Spinel (captured at Dunkirk in 1940) and MV Robert Muller 8 in the harbour, with railway lines in middle distance. (Emile Guiton)

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British troops with rifles and kit standing at the Weighbridge outside the Pomme d'Or Hotel.

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Colonel Robinson lowers the German flag and addresses the people in the Royal Square.

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A large crowd gathers outside Pomme D'Or in what has become an iconic Liberation Day image.

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The Union flag hanging from what is now Liberty Wharf.

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Crowds gather in the Royal Square after the liberation, where the Royal proclamation is read by Brigadier General AE Snow, officer commanding HM forces in the Channel Islands, with Colonel HR Power and Rear Admiral Stuart, DSO, DSC(Retd.) serving in the rank of Captain, standing in front of statue of King George.

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Liberation troops at West Park slip. (Emile Guiton)

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A large crowd of people gathers in the Royal Square for the visit of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery in 1947. (Peter F Rebindaine)

(With thanks to the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive and Bailiff's Chambers for the images.)

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