SACKETT-L Archives

From: "Chris Sackett" <>
Subject: Re: Lillie.44
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 14:43:07 +0100

----------
> From: cary <>
> To:
> Subject: Re: Lillie.44
> Date: 14 June 1998 11:06
>
> Mr. Sackett: Hello my name is Cary Williams and I am descended from the
> Sackett (namely John the Colonist). I have read over the past weeks
> with great interest your wonderful passages from Lillie. I have one
> question regarding this post. Were English really taken to Germany as
> prisoners or what. I have never heard this before and was quite
> dismayed to hear that had happened.
>
> A short reply would be nice if you have time.... Thank You
>
> A Sackett descendant in Cincinnati, OH, USA

Dear Cary,

Here's a "short" reply. Am also sending this to the list. Others might be
interested.

Regards,
Chris

The following is taken from Hitler's Fortress Islands by Carel Toms.

"Between 26 September 1942 and 25 February 1943, over 2,000 Channel
Islanders were deported to internee camps on the Continent. Their only
'crime' was that they were born in the United Kingdom or elsewhere other
than the Channel Islands.

The reason behind the expulsions was the result of a row between the
British Government and the German Government concerning the activities of
German engineers, professional people and others working in Iran. Britain
claimed they were a security threat and ordered their internment.

This infuriated Hitler who ordered that 10 Englishmen and their families be
interned for every German arrested or interned. Ultimately 1,200 were
expelled from Jersey, 825 from Guernsey and nine from Sark.

This was a particularly traumatic and anxious time and one of the crucial
orders under the signature of Oberst Knackfuss, of Feldkommantur 515, was
that 'all persons not born in the Channel Islands and 17 to 70 years of age
who belong to the British people, together with their families, would have
to go.

It is difficult to imagine hundreds of people, with just a few possessions,
forced to leave their homes by sea to France and then go by rail to some
unknown destination somewhere in war torn Europe. One Englishman, who
married a Jersey girl, put a wedding notice in the paper, followed by the
cryptic message: 'Honeymoon on the Continent.'

The whole agonising experience was also a virtual death sentence for some.
Many of those who returned suffered ill health and others found their
businesses, homes and belongings ruined or badly damaged. Fifty years after
the war attempts were made to obtain compensation from successive German
governments without success."

___________________________

Significantly, news of the deportations was not reported in the Guernsey
Evening Press by way of a news story. Instead, a small notice was included
in La Gazette Officielle, the section of the paper reserved for official
notices. This is what Lillie saw in the Press on 16 September 1942:

NOTICE

By order of Higher Authorities the following British subjects will be
evacuated and transferred to Germany:
(a)Persons who have their permanent residence not on the Channel Islands,
for instance those who have been caught here by the outbreak of war,
(b)All those men not born on the Channel Islands and 16 to 70 years of age
who belong to the English people, together with their families.
Detailed instructions will be given by the Feldkommandantur 515.
(Signed)
Der Feldkommandant
gez. KNACKFUSS
Oberst.

On September 18th, the local Government placed the following notice:

NOTICE

To persons falling under the scope of the Feldkommandant's notice of the
15th instant referring to the transference of British subjects to Germany.

It will be to the advantage of the above persons if they will inform me
immediately, in writing:-
1.- If they have made arrangements with relatives or friends to look after
their homes and effects, and if so, to state the names and address of such
person or persons.
2.- Whether they desire the States to undertake that duty and where the
keys can be obtained.
3.- The name and address of any person to whom they wish to hand over any
surplus stores, clothing or effects.
4.- Whether any arrangements have been made for harvesting the garden,
field or greenhouse crops, and the future cultivation of the land and/or
greenhouses, and if so, to state the name and address of the person, or
persons, so authorised.
H.E.Marquand
Custodian of Dwellings and Gardens.
States Office
Guernsey.
17th September, 1942
_______________________

A few days later, on 21 September, an Editorial in the Evening Press sought
to calm the populace. Remember that this had to be cleared by the German
censor.

"FIVE DAYS MAKE HISTORY

After the initial shock which came from the publication of the Evacuation
Notice, the inhabitants of this Island gradually recovered a more settled
state of mind. It cannot be denied that the Order - like the proverbial
'bolt from the blue' - breathed an atmosphere of panic into many Guernsey
homes. Now, it seems, the majority have accepted the future with far
greater equanimity; many are looking forward to their departure in the
spirit of adventure.

Over two years have fled by since the German Forces first occupied the
Channel Islands. During that time we have pursued our tranquil ways, almost
untouched by the course of the war. While all about us men - and women - of
many countries were suffering and dying for the causes they had espoused,
the inhabitants of Guernsey had relapsed as far as they were able into a
normality. But under this there was tension. Something, it was felt, was
bound to happen. Now that it has done so it is for those concerned to
accept things with a philosophical shrug of the shoulders. Those who adopt
a 'c'est la guerre' attitude and prepare to make the best of circumstances
will find life easier than those who sit down to bewail their fate;
particularly when there are others all over the world who have been called
upon to face greater hardship than Guernsey residents have yet known.

For the younger people this evacuation will be an unforgettable experience;
for the older folk it is a wrench, breaking the ties that have bound them
to this Island for many years. But this is a world at war and sentiment
cannot intrude itself. Nor can we question these hardships as they arise.
'C'est la guerre.' This apt phrase writes finis to the pros and cons of the
argument.

If we are asked to venture an opinion as to the conditions the evacuees
will meet with in Germany, we can only say that during the two years of
Occupation no grounds have been given to believe otherwise than that
English-born folk leaving Guernsey will be treated justly and fairly. One
has only to receive letters from prisoners-of-war in Germany to know that
these conclusions are based on fact.

Meanwhile, there is every reason to commend the efforts made by the
Guernsey officials and public to ensure that the evacuees will be leaving
here as comfortable in body and mind as they can be. The whole routine of
Island life has been interrupted to give precedence to the needs of the
evacuees. Those who are leaving, although of English birth and in many
cases of English parentage, have become almost inextricably mingled by
association with natives of Guernsey. They were their friends - 'our dear
friends' as the Bailiff has written. And as their friends the Guernsey man
and woman have stood by them.

Not only has official organisation developed with remarkable rapidity, but
there have been many instances of individual kindness. The lady who gave
her last tin of condensed milk, the man who gladly handed over his two
spare pairs of boots, and the many others who have made similar sacrifices
will not have public recognition; but there are few who have not expressed
their desire to help in some tangible manner.

In witnessing the scenes in St Peter Port on Saturday we were forcibly
reminded of the first evacuation of June, 1940. Once again we felt that the
curtain of history was being unrolled before our eyes. And we feel, like
many others must do, that although living in a world conflict may have its
many trials and tribulations, that there are events taking place now which
will remain written in letters of flame across the history of this Island.
For the younger people at least it is a stirring feeling.

So those who this week will be taking their leave for a strange land - one
that they never thought to visit - we wish 'bon voyage' and 'good luck'.
They are voyaging into the unknown, but not more so than those that stay.
The future at any time is uncertain. With war raging across the world it
may bring…..?"
________________________

The deportees were housed in three internment camps in Germany at Biberach,
Wurzach and Laufen.
Conditions in the camps were adequate but not good. The International Red
Cross, who had rights of inspection, reported that at Biberach the toilet
facilities were reasonable, there was a good shower-room, and hot baths
were regularly available, but the kitchen stoves were in poor order, and
although food was plentiful, the quality was unsatisfactory. Wurzach camp
buildings were unsatisfactory. The mosquitoes were particularly
disagreeable and the cooks had to wage a never-ending war against rats. The
women's infirmary was infested with mice. Bread, which was delivered once a
week, was a problem. It was sometimes mouldy when it arrived and its
condition was not improved after several days in a damp store. The mouldy
parts which had to thrown away were not replaced. Jam was no better: it was
covered with a film of thick green mould, and uneatable because of its
fermented taste. Laufen was happier than Wurzach, in the opinion of the
first camp leader, Frank Stroobant, because it was men only.

A continuing issue at the camps was the refusal of the internees to
undertake any form of work. Despite pressure from the Germans and also by
the Red Cross, they steadfastly refused to work throughout their
imprisonment.

The Red Cross inspectors said:

"We upheld the point of view that it would be of great benefit to the
internees from the point of view of both their health and spirits to
undertake some regular employment. The internees themselves, however, are
not entirely of this opinion, declaring that even the slightest effort made
by them necessarily helps the war effort of the detaining power. They base
their opinion more particularly on a statement made by the Chancellor of
the Reich in one of his most recent speeches which - to put it briefly -
said that anyone working in Germany should be considered as being a soldier
of the Reich. The internees would like to have the opinion of their own
government."

The opinion, when it came, was that there was no objection to their working
so long as they did not directly help the German war effort.

Of the more than 2,000 internees, only 100 took jobs, mainly in
agriculture.
_______________________

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