We are not makers of history. We are made by history!!! – Martin Luther King, Jr.
No trip to the Jersey, the largest of the Channel Island between England and France is complete without a visit to the fascinating Jersey War Tunnels, formerly referred to as Höhlgangsanlage 8
Although partially completed, a travel to the German underground hospital is an experience which takes you back to time … a reminder of the spine-chilling history of the Island!
Jersey War Tunnels – What is it?
The Jersey War Tunnels tell the true story of the occupation of Jersey during World War Two. It is a vivid display of the German invasion and occupation , which lasted almost five years until the island’s liberation on 9th May 1945.
The tunnel complex, formerly known as Höhlgangsanlage 8 (Ho8), plays host to a series of galleries detailing occupation history through the diverse experiences of those who lived through it.
Visitors will be led through a series of events depicting evacuation, deportation, captivity and siege, and leading to eventual liberation.
Jersey War Tunnels / The Höhlgangsanlage 8 – The Story behind it.
During World War II, England reportedly left Jersey defenceless on its own, and the mighty German forces utilised this opportunity to take Jersey under siege.
German Troops marched in hundreds and thousands and Jersey, along with other Channel Islands, was firmly under their control.
Purpose of building Jersey War Tunnels (Höhlgangsanlage 8)
It was with Hitler’s order in October 1941, that the work began on a number of barricades and defences all around Jersey to protect it from an invasion of Allied forces. The Höhlgangsanlage 8 was initially intended to be an air raid shelter to protect the Germans from Allied air raids
Reportedly forced slaves and workers toiled had to toil hard for nearly 4 years and to excavate this 1-kilometre-long passageway, within St Peter’s Valley, about 33 meters below the ground !!!
Men would work 7 days a week, without any breaks, during the tunnelling phase
Various artefacts and original weapons used by the German forces are on display here
One can still see the original Air Raid shelters built to protect the German defence.
Conversion of Jersey War Tunnels into an Emergency Hospital
During 1943, with increasing threats of an air or land invasion of the Allied forces , The Germans decided on converting The Höhlgangsanlage 8 into an emergency hospital, primarily catering to the injured German soldiers.
Post Liberation of the Channel Islands in 1945, the complex was converted into a museum detailing the occupation. Jersey War Tunnels continue to be one of the top visitor attractions of Jersey!!
How to Get There?
Lying about 4 miles North West of St Helier, Jersey War Tunnels can be reached easily by public buses from The Liberation Square at St Helier. One can also rent cars from the same place. Albeit- the best way to reach Jersey War Tunnels is by travelling on their very own shuttle bus.
Jersey War Tunnels even have their own Shuttle – A vintage bus that transports you back in time!
Opening Times
• Open daily 10am – 6pm (last entry 4.30pm), 1st March – 31st October
• Open daily 10am – 3pm (last entry 1.30pm), 1st – 27th November
Entry
• Adults: £15 / Seniors (65+): £14 / Students: £13 / Children (7 – 15): £9
Please check on actual prices and timings on their website before your next visit though
Exploring the Jersey War Tunnels through sections
The enduring travel through the Jersey War Tunnels can take almost 2-3 hours, making every moment of the journey worthwhile!
One has to go through the following sections to get an overview and experience Jersey War Tunnels
Entrance --->Threatened Island ---> First Contact---> Boiler Room ---> Paper War ---> Operating Theater --->Telephone Exchange---> The Unfinished Tunnel --->Hospital Bed Ward ---> Under Siege ---> The Liberation
So let me take you through each section of my journey ....
Entrance
The Imposing and resonant entrance tunnel takes you deep inside the excavated passageway ... and waiting for you right there is “Hedwig” – a replica of Germany’s most used armoured vehicle during the World War II
Threatened Island
Once can get a flavour of life and witness various artefacts used during those days by the people of Jersey in this section
Various portraits depicting life in those days are depicted in this section
First Contact
As you continue deep into the tunnel, the “First Contact” Section recounts the petrifying initial days of uncertainty as the captured learnt to live with the capturers!
Boiler Room
Next you come across the “Boiler Room” section where the original heating equipment used during those days are at display
Paper War
As you reach the “Paper War” section the dominance and interference of Germans become evident. The Nazis reportedly allowed usage of only restricted items , which even included newspapers!
Even though "The Evening Post" continued to be printed , the Germans started printing their news – The Inselzeitung!
Operating Theater
Next you come across the “Operating Theater”, which contains surgical equipment used by the German doctors and surgeons!!!
Telephone Exchange
The “Telephone Exchange” section takes you way back in time depicting the different equipment and means used for telecommunication during the World War II.
What’s more – you lift up one of the handsets and try dialling out a coded number – and you can even listen to recorded secret conversation of the war cabinets …. I mean it does not get any more realistic than this!!!
The Unfinished Tunnel
The "Unfinished Tunnel" section displays how the forced slave and workers toiled hard with only picks and shovel – loading them into trolleys and pushing them out of the tunnels
There is an audio-visual interactive show also available - wherein you can witness various situations of life in those days inside the tunnel - a must try experience!
Hospital Bed Ward
The "Hospital Bed Ward" section displays the original beds and cots used in those days, after the Höhlgangsanlage 8 was converted into an emergency hospital to treat German soldiers during World War II.
The hospital had close to 500 beds and was equipped with a complete air cooling and heating system.
Under Siege
The "Under Siege" section displays the various places and countries that were under control of Hitler and the Nazis!
The Channel Islands were cut off from all supply routes through France.
The Liberation
Finally – "The Liberation Section" calls for the historic event of Liberation of the Channel Islands from the German Rule – an event the islanders waited for 5 years ! After half a decade of German occupation, British forces finally freed the Channel Islands from the Nazi rule!
One can also enjoy a quiet moment in the Garden of Reflection or a walk along the historic War Trail, outside the Tunnels.
Please do visit the small store - near the entrance, for collecting souvenirs of this historic place!
The War Tunnels tell the captivating story of life in Jersey under the Nazi regime and features a series of stimulating exhibits looking at the varied practices and experiences of all those who lived through it.
It is incredible that all of these actually happened …. See it, feel it, believe it, at Jersey War Tunnels!!
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