Historians shed light on the 'other' Battle of Britain

Thursday 13 September 2018

As the island prepares to commemorate the Battle of Britain today, the War Tunnels have shed light on a little-known act of bravery that unfolded even closer to home.

From July to October 1940, the Spitfires and Hurricanes of the RAF valiantly defended vital shipping convoys, air fields, factories and cities from a barrage of attacks by the German Luftwaffe.

Since then, it's become known as Hitler's first significant defeat at the hands of the British, and a crucial turning point in World War II, leading to it being celebrated each year when airplanes take to the skies over Jersey in the International Air Display.

But the Battle of Britain wasn’t the only military action to take place a stone’s throw from British soil, as Jersey War Tunnels told Express...

"In August 1944, a lesser known, but equally daring, raid took place just off the coast of Jersey.

Six American patrol boats sailing from Cherbourg, France bravely attacked a heavily-armed German convoy bringing field guns and troops from Guernsey to Jersey.

Pictured: The 'other' battle involved six boats sailing from Cherbourg, which attacked a German convoy on its way from the Channel Islands.

The action took place off Noirmont Point, just south of Corbiere, where a fierce gun battle ensued in thick fog.

One of the allied vessels - PT 509 - armed with a torpedo sped out of control and whilst on fire, rammed into the side of a larger German vessel, a converted trawler.

With help from the German crew, the only American survivor clambered on board and was taken as prisoner.

The German sailors struggled to free the PT 509 from their ship. Eventually they succeeded, and as the stricken American vessel drifted off into the fog, the torpedo exploded.

Pictured: The action took place by Noirmont Point, south of Corbiere in Jersey. (Will Robinson)

The remains of PT 509 still lie on the seabed about a mile to the south of Noirmont Point.

A memorial to the men who lost their lives in this action has now been placed on the nearby cliffs at Noirmont by the Channel Islands Occupation Society."

Today's Battle of Britain display, which will see the Red Arrows return to island skies, will begin at 13:00 and continue to 17:00, during which time Elizabeth Castle will be closed to visitors.

View the timetable by clicking here.