The Channel Island Military Museum

The Channel Island Military Museum The best Occupation experience on the Island. A vast collection of original artefacts displayed in a German bunker.

A lifetimes work by the owner to preserve and display what is left of the 5 long years of the German Occupation We open for the season every year on the Monday before Good Friday and close at the end of October for the winter. The Museum is housed in a German bunker which once formed part of Hitlers Atlantic Wall defences. All the rooms and corridors are full of German military and civilian Occupa

tion items. Hundreds of items, many personnel stories, and a 40 minute commentary. Well worth the visit if your interested in the history of the Island. The artefacts on display in the Museum are a very small part of the owners collection which he started when he was 7 years old and is still searching for new items today nearly 50 years later. His lifelong passion has been to save all and any items from the 5 years of German Occupation, after hearing his Grandparents stories about the Occupation and those of his Father he became determined that this time should not be forgotten. The Occupation happened here on the Island of Jersey and is the most important time in the Islands recent history, the Museum and all the artefacts on display are evidence of this time and an exceptionally rare and valuable insight into those times for tourists and researchers alike.

Sundays items of interest are a couple orignal examples of the German wooden Schu mine. There were over 56.000 mines lai...
30/08/2026

Sundays items of interest are a couple orignal examples of the German wooden Schu mine. There were over 56.000 mines laid on the Island by the German Occupying forces and in that number were some of these nasty little items.
The examples seen here are all of German manufacture, but I am told that some were made locally at 'Normans" wood store at Five Oaks.

Below is some information fromm the internet which may be pf further interest.

The Schü-mine 42 (short for Schützenmine 42, meaning "rifleman's mine model of 1942") was a notoriously effective German anti-personnel mine widely used by N**i Germany during World War II.
The device was purposefully simple, cheap, and designed as a "minimum metal mine" to counter Allied metal detection technology. According to historical records kept by organizations like The Highlanders' Museum, it featured the following specifications: A simple rectangular wooden or plywood box with a hinged lid.
Approximately 12.7 cm (5 inches) long, 10.1 cm (4 inches) wide, and 6.3 cm (2.5 inches) high.
A standard 200-gram (7.1 oz) block of cast TNT (Sprengkörper 28). Typically fitted with a chemical/mechanical ZZ-42 type detonator. The mechanism relied on straightforward mechanical pressure. When buried or hidden under foliage, a slot in the overlapping wooden lid rested directly over the striker retaining pin of the igniter. When a soldier stepped on the lid, the downward pressure forced the retaining pin out, releasing a spring-loaded firing pin into the detonator cap and instantly triggering the TNT block.
Because the only piece of metal inside the entire device was the tiny component in the detonator, standard Allied mine sweeps were virtually useless against them. This forced troops to rely on dangerous manual probing or explosive detection dogs to clear battlefields.
The 200g explosive charge was not designed to be fatal. Instead, it was engineered to inflict severe trauma to lower limbs—often blowing off feet or legs. The German military calculated that a severely wounded soldier drained significantly more enemy resources (requiring medical attention, stretcher-bearers, and transport) than a deceased soldier.

Saturdays item of interest is this proclamation that was put up at various points around the Island as a warning to Isla...
29/08/2026

Saturdays item of interest is this proclamation that was put up at various points around the Island as a warning to Islanders as to what the likely penalty would be for spying/espionage against the German armed forces.
85 years ago today Henri Louis Honore, Comte d'Estienne d'Orves, Maurice Charles Emile Barlier and Jan Lpois Guilleaume Doornik were executed by a German firing squad.
Whilst this did not occur on the Island the message was clear for all to see.

Below is some information from the internet on the 3 men concerned which I hope you find of interest.

Henri Louis Honoré, comte d'Estienne d'Orves (1901–1941) was a French Navy officer and a celebrated hero of the French Resistance during World War II, widely remembered as the "first martyr of Free France."
Born: June 5, 1901, in Verrières-le-Buisson, France.
Death: August 29, 1941.
Executed by a German firing squad at Fort Mont-Valérien in Suresnes, France.
Education: Studied at the prestigious École Polytechnique and École Navale.
Served as a French naval officer, joining Charles de Gaulle's Free French movement in London in 1940 after rejecting the armistice.
The Nemrod Network: Infiltrated German-occupied France in December 1940 to establish "Nemrod," an intelligence-gathering spy network.
Betrayed and arrested by the Gestapo in January 1941, he was condemned to death for espionage and shot alongside two comrades.
Honors: Posthumously named a Companion of the Liberation (Compagnon de la Libération).

Émile BARLIER, born on September 9, 1905 in Saint-Dié (Vosges), died on August 29, 1941 at Mont-Valérien (Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine) Maurice Charles Émile Barlier grew up in the Vosges region and later established himself as a sales agent. On the eve of the war, he worked for the Amieux cannery in Nantes. Married and a father of four, he used his professional network and mobility to support patriotic activities from 1940 onwards.
In the summer-autumn of 1940, he joined Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves and the Dutchman Jan Doornik in setting up a clandestine intelligence service in liaison with London, known as the "Nemrod" network.
It provided liaison, contacts and networking services, particularly in the West. In December 1940, a mission known as "Mansion-Barlier" aimed to establish a network of transmissions and information gathering in France for the benefit of Free France.
Between the end of 1940 and January 1941, he contributed to the organization of communications, drop-off points and the network of informants.
On January 22, 1941, he was arrested in Nantes during the wave of surveillance and arrests that targeted the network after the betrayal of double agent Alfred Gaessler. Imprisoned, he was brought before the tribunal of the German High Command.
Sentenced to death by the German military court on May 13, 1941 for "espionage", he was executed by firing squad at Mont-Valérien on August 29, 1941, along with Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves and Jan Doornik.
His body was first buried in the Ivry cemetery, then transferred to Saint-Dié after the Liberation.

Jan Louis Guillaume Doornik was a Dutch World War II resistance fighter and Free French officer who was executed by the German military for espionage in 1941. [1, 2]
Personal Background
Born: June 26, 1905, in Paris, France.
Education: Studied in both France and Switzerland.
Location in 1940: Stuck in Belgium during the German invasion and unable to return directly to the Netherlands.
He joined the Free French Forces as a military officer.
Using the undercover name Marcel Millot.
He assisted Commander Henri d’Estienne d’Orves set up an intelligence network in German-occupied France.
Arrested by the Gestapo in early 1941 along with other members of his network.
Sentenced to death for spying on May 13, 1941.
Ex*****on: Shot by a firing squad at Fort Mont-Valérien near Paris on August 29, 1941, alongside d'Estienne d'Orves and Maurice Barlier.
He was awarded the French Resistance Medal with rosette, posthumously by decree of August 3, 1946.
Knight of the Legion of Honour,posthumously (mention confirmed by the Order of Liberation;

Fridays item of interest came into the Museum on Wednesday and featured as part of yesterday’s post.In the box of bits a...
28/08/2026

Fridays item of interest came into the Museum on Wednesday and featured as part of yesterday’s post.
In the box of bits and pieces right at the bottom was a very rusted cleaning rod for the German 27mm flare pistol. Despite its looks I thought at the time that it would most likely clean up quite a bit.
Yesterday I spent some time on it and although not finished it has turned out quite well. The date (41) and the waffenamt are both visible on the top of the handle and the spring clip now opens and closes as it should. The cleaning rod is most likely the hardest part of the flare pistol rig to find so it’s a superb addition to the collection.

The WW2 German Flare Pistol Holster and Cleaning Rod were essential field gear components for officers, NCOs, and specialized units who relied on the Leuchtpistole (Models 28/34) and Leuchtpistole 42 (LP 42) for signaling and battlefield illumination.

Unlike standard pistol holsters where the cleaning tool is tucked entirely inside, the German flare pistol system uniquely mounted its cleaning rod on the outside front edge of the holster.
The holster is built with a small leather cup at the bottom and an adjustable buckle strap near the top edge. The head of the cleaning rod sits securely inside the bottom cup, while the upper handle is buckled tight against the body of the holster.
The cleaning rods are heavy-duty, all-steel tools roughly 7¼ inches long. They feature a prominent loop handle at the top. The opposite business-end features a thick cleaning drum equipped with a retention bolt and washer meant to clamp down fabric cleaning patches. Because these rods were mounted externally, they frequently fell out in combat, making original, intact sets incredibly rare for modern collectors.
German flare gun holsters were explicitly designed to protect the bulky 27mm caliber aluminum or zinc pistols while keeping them accessible.
Early to mid-war models were manufactured from high-grade black leather with stark white or contrast stitching. As wartime resource shortages escalated, the German military shifted production to "Presstoff" (a durable, compressed artificial leather made from layered paper pulp and treated resin) with minimal leather trimming.
The back of the holster features two vertical belt loops alongside two D-rings. The D-rings allowed soldiers to connect the holster to combat suspenders (Y-straps) or use a dedicated shoulder sling to better distribute the heavy weight of the pistol.
The large top flap secures over a "goalpost" style rectangular fixture, locked in place by a fast-acting leather quick-release pull strap.

Thursdays items of interest were brought into the Museum yesterday. Recently found in an old shed. Not everything found ...
27/08/2026

Thursdays items of interest were brought into the Museum yesterday. Recently found in an old shed. Not everything found in old sheds comes out in great condition. The main items in the lot being 4 French gas masks in their tins, a cleaning rod for a German 27mm flare pistol and what looks to be a single decal helmet. Unfortunately the wet and damp got to these quite some time ago. Having said that, the helmet liner looks to have almost been unworn prior to its storage and nibbles being had.
Whilst not mint it is always nice to see what is still turning up.

Wednesdays items of interest are 3 German gr***des. All slightly different but all with the same potential outcome.There...
26/08/2026

Wednesdays items of interest are 3 German gr***des. All slightly different but all with the same potential outcome.
There is a M43 stick gr***de, a Blendkorper (glass) and a M39 egg gr***de. These are in the Museums ordnance collection which is quite extensive but not all of which is on display.

Below is some information from the internet on the three gr***des.

During World War II, N**i Germany produced two distinct types of hand gr***des made of glass: the Blendkörper (a chemical smoke gr***de used to blind armored vehicles) and the Glashandgranate (an explosive fragmentation gr***de issued late in the war due to metal shortages).
The Blendkörper (Chemical Blinding Gr***de)
The Blendkörper (literally "blind body") was a specialized anti-tank and anti-fortification weapon first introduced in the early 1940s. It was not meant to blow up tanks, but rather to force the crew out.
It resembled a heavy-duty light bulb. The weapon consisted of an outer glass bulb containing titanium tetrachloride and an inner glass vial filled with calcium chloride.
When thrown against a tank or pillbox, the glass shattered. The mixing chemicals reacted instantly with moisture in the air to create a blinding flash and an incredibly thick cloud of white, choking smoke.
The early Blendkörper 1H performed poorly in dry environments. It was quickly replaced by the improved Blendkörper 2H (BK 2H), which included additional moisture-releasing chemicals to guarantee functionality in cold or low-humidity conditions down to -40°


The Model 39 Eihandgranate (Egg Hand Gr***de 39 or M39) was N**i Germany's most heavily produced hand gr***de of World War II, with over 84.2 million units manufactured between 1939 and 1945. It was designed as a lighter, more compact, and cheaper alternative to the famous Stielhandgranate ("stick gr***de" or "potato masher").
Technical Specifications
• Mass: 200 grams (7.1 oz)
• Height: 76 mm (3.0 in)
• Diameter: 60 mm (2.4 in)
• Body Material: Sheet metal casing filled with TNT
• Design Feature: Many models featured a small metal ring at the base, allowing soldiers to clip multiple gr***des onto their combat tunics or webbing.
The M39 relied on the BZE 39 friction igniter assembly. To arm it, a soldier unscrewed the colored, domed cap at the top to reveal a coiled pull-string. Tugging this string sharply created internal friction that ignited the internal delay fuze before throwing.
Crucially, the color of the top cap identified the burn time and intended function:
• Blue Cap: Standard 4.5-second delay used for normal infantry operations.
• Yellow Cap: Extended 7.5-second delay often used for specific tactical scenarios or delays.
• Red Cap: Short 1.0-second delay, highly dangerous and strictly designed for smoke gr***des or special traps.
• Grey Cap: Instantaneous 0-second delay utilized entirely for creating stationary b***y-traps in windows, doors, or abandoned equipment.
Advantages Over the Stick Gr***de
While the stick gr***de provided superior throwing leverage, the egg gr***de dominated late-war production because it was far easier to mass-manufacture, requiring no hollowed-out wooden handles. Its compact form factor allowed infantrymen to carry significantly larger quantities into enclosed spaces like trenches or urban ruins. Towards the end of the war, a fragmented sleeve could be wrapped around the exterior shell to enhance its lethal shrapnel radius.

The late-war German stick gr***de is the Stielhandgranate 43 (Model 43 or M43), which entered service in 1943 to replace the iconic Model 24. It was developed as a simplified, cost-effective successor to optimize mass production amidst Germany's late-war industrial shortages.
Key Modifications & Design
The M43 introduced several critical changes to bypass the complex manufacturing requirements of the early-war M24:
• Solid Wooden Handle: The M24 relied on a hollowed-out handle with a drilled central channel to run a pull cord. The M43 eliminated this tedious drilling process entirely by switching to a completely solid wood handle.
• Relocated Fuse Assembly: Because the handle was solid, the friction igniter assembly (the Brennzünder 39 or Bz39) was moved directly to the top of the explosive head.
Because the explosive charge and the fuse operated as a completely self-contained unit at the top, the solid wooden handle could be unscrewed and discarded. This allowed the explosive head to be easily deployed as a b***y trap or a standalone concussion charge.
Instead of unscrewing a metal cap at the bottom of the handle to find a porcelain ball, soldiers operating an M43 unscrewed a small cap located directly on top of the explosive canister head to access the pull cord.
Once the cord was pulled, the gr***de featured a standard chemical delay of 5.5 to 7 seconds before detonation, which was slightly longer than the 4.5-to-5-second delay of the older M24.
Like its predecessor, the M43 functioned primarily as an offensive concussion gr***de. It relied on a thin sheet-metal casing and a high-explosive blast radius to incapacitate enemies rather than throwing lethal fragmentation shards. This allowed advancing German infantry to throw the gr***de and keep moving forward without needing to take immediate hard cover.

Tuesdays item of interest is this radio set that was brought to and used by the German Armed forces during the Occupatio...
25/08/2026

Tuesdays item of interest is this radio set that was brought to and used by the German Armed forces during the Occupation. Made in Copenhagen in 1941 under orders of the German Occupying Denmark this Pedersen is a seriously heavy piece of radio equipment.
It was liberated from a Kriegsmarine installation at the end of the Occupation by a family friend who was a pre war radio ham. Having had his radio set confiscated by the German during the Occupation, he visited a number of German installations at Liberation and took any radio sets that he thought might be useful. In all he liberated 8 radio and associated equipment. This haul included two 3 rotor Enigma machines.
Thes items have all been in the Museum collection for the last 40 years.

Below is some information from the internet which might be of interest.

The M.P. Pedersen MP20K41 d, is not a German-made radio, but rather an extremely rare quartz crystal filter component manufactured by the famous Danish electronics and radio engineering company M.P. Pedersen.
The confusion regarding its "German" wartime origin stems from historical events in occupied Denmark during World War II.

The Manufacturer: M.P. Pedersen was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, by electrical engineer Martin Peter Pedersen (1887–1979). The firm specialized in high-grade maritime communications receivers, transmitters, and radio tubes.

During WWII, Denmark was occupied by N**i Germany. The German military forced local manufacturing plants, including M.P. Pedersen, to produce radio components and perform maintenance repairs for the Wehrmacht (German Armed Forces).

Because the factory was actively producing radio parts for the German war machine, it became a prime target for the Danish resistance movement. On May 22, 1944, Danish resistance saboteurs infiltrated the factory on Lille Strandstræde in Copenhagen and bombed the building, causing massive structural fire damage to halt production for the Germans.

The designation MP20K41 refers specifically to a high-precision Quartz Crystal Filter (often abbreviated in technical schematics as XTFILT or Quarzfilter).
While it was manufactured in Denmark, any units stamped or paired with German military gear from that exact era exist because they were confiscated or contracted by the Wehrmacht prior to the 1944 factory bombing. In the post-war era, many amateur radio operators (hams) salvaged these robust components to build or upgrade custom shortwave radio setups.

Mondays item of interest is this pistol and holster that was used here during the German Occupation. This is the only ex...
24/08/2026

Mondays item of interest is this pistol and holster that was used here during the German Occupation. This is the only example known on the Island today although there must have been others and possibly still are but none have been seen to date. Made in 1939 both the pistol and holster are in good condition.

Below is some information from the internet that may be of interest.

Pistole 39(t)) refers to the ČZ vz. 38, a double action only semi-automatic pistol designed in Czechoslovakia. When Germany occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939, they seized the factory stocks and adopted the pistol for the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe, using the suffix (t) for tschechisch (Czech)
The P.39(t)Original Designation: Česká Zbrojovka vzor 38 (ČZ vz. 38)Caliber: 9mm Kurz /.380
The pistol was double action only. Around 41,000 to 45,000 pistols were manufactured and appropriated by German forces upon the occupation.
Commonly nicknamed the "Nutcracker" (Louskáček) due to its unique profile and appearance.
Issued primarily to second-line troops, army units, and the Luftwaffe, with a small batch later exported to Finland. It featured a unique pivoting barrel design where the slide tipped forward/up for easy field stripping and cleaning.

The production history of the P.39(t) is distinct because not a single pistol was delivered to the Czechoslovak Army before the German occupation in March 1939. Since the factory in Strakonice was already tooled up, the Germans ordered production to continue under their supervision.
The main German run (Serial Numbers 250,000 – 291,000): This covers the primary contract of 41,000 pistols manufactured between September and December 1939.
Because these guns were accepted by Czech military inspectors acting on behalf of the German occupiers, they typically do not feature standard German Waffenamt (WaA) stamps. Instead, they feature Czech military acceptance stamps such as E7 (Czech Lion) 39 on the right side of the frame.
The Luftwaffe Batch (Serial Numbers 240,000 – 242,999): A separate run of roughly 3,000 pistols was manufactured specifically for the German Luftwaffe. These guns were proofed around 1941 and generally feature commercial German proofs rather than standard military stamps.
The "B" Prefix Run (Serial Numbers 291,000 – 292,000): A late, final batch of 1,000 pistols was produced with a "B" prefix. These were initially meant for export (likely Bulgaria), but some rare end-of-production or repair models in this range are occasionally found with the German WaA76 inspection stamp.
The P.39(t) was issued with a specialized, black leather "hardshell" holster. Visually, it looks almost identical to the iconic Walther P.38 holster, but it lacks the thick internal leather spacer inside the magazine pouch because the P.39(t) magazine is slimmer. Wartime holsters feature specific combinations of the following marks: Waffenamt Code: Look for inspection stamps on the back of the leather, such as WaA727, WaA61, or WaA-acceptance stamps alongside the year.
Manufacturer Codes: Common German three-letter manufacturer codes or full names stamped on the back include cxb (Karl Budischovsky & Soehne, Wien), jkb, or Joseph Moll, Goch.Ink Stamps: Open the top flap; authentic rigs often feature a distinct P39(t) ink stamp on the inside of the lid to differentiate it from standard P.38 gear.
The P.39(t) was never considered a front-line combat sidearm by the German military. The Wehrmacht viewed the double action only trigger system as overly heavy and the 9mm Kurz (.380 ACP) cartridge as too weak for standard infantry combat.
German Rear-Echelon Use: The majority of the 41,000 captured pistols were distributed to second-line troops, the Reich Labor Service (RAD), police units, and ground crews of the Luftwaffe. It saw deployment primarily in occupational duties, security operations, and guarding rear supply lines.
The Finnish Continuation War: Between 1941 and 1942, Germany exported a batch of approximately 1,700 to 1,800 P.39(t) pistols to Finland. These weapons were stamped with the Finnish Army property mark [SA] (Suomen Armeija). Unlike their time in German hands, these specific pistols saw intense, frontline defensive combat against the Soviet Union during the Continuation War (1941–1944).

Sunday’s item of interest is this locally made and used double sided sign.tIt was designed to indicated whether a vehicl...
23/08/2026

Sunday’s item of interest is this locally made and used double sided sign.t
It was designed to indicated whether a vehicle was useable or not.
Found in a shed during its clearance about 20 years ago when it was added to the Museum’s collection.
These signs were normally made of metal but this one was most likely made by one of the mechanics in the workshop.
When used it would be hung in a prominent place on the vehicle, zsuch as on the front of a vehicle over the radiator cap so it could be clearly seen.

Fahrbereit
(Driveable / Operational): This indicated that the vehicle was fully functional and ready for immediate deployment.

Wasser Abgelassen
(Water drained), on the reverse side. Turning them
sign to this side instantly flagged that the vehicle was not serviceable.

Saturdays item of interest is this oversized heavy white drinking mug made by Bohemia and marked SS Reich on its base. T...
22/08/2026

Saturdays item of interest is this oversized heavy white drinking mug made by Bohemia and marked SS Reich on its base. This piece came into the collection many years ago from a lady who lived in Alderney and had acquired it after her return to Alderney after the Occupation. Whether it came from Lager Sylt or a barracks used by the SS stationed there it serves as a reminder of a much darker period in the Channel Islands Occupation history which should not be forgotten.

Below is some information taken from the internet which may be of further interest.

SS Reich mugs were made by Bohemia factory in occupied Czechoslovakia during World War II.
The mugs were produced by Bohemia Keramische Werke AG (located in Neurohlau, now Nová Role, Czech Republic).
During the Third Reich, Heinrich Himmler's SS comprehensively expanded its economic and commercial activities. The SS owned Allach Porcelain Manufactory lacked the industrial capacity to meet the mass demand for daily canteen and hospital tableware. Consequently, Allach acquired Bohemia Ceramic Plants to produce bulk porcelain on behalf of the SS Economic and Administrative Main Office.
The SS Reich Markings: Authentic pieces from this line feature white porcelain, a green underglaze manufacturer stamp for "Bohemia", and are specifically stamped with the designation SS Reich.

Lager Sylt was a concentration camp operated on the island of Alderney, it was the only concentration camp located on British soil (within the British Crown Dependency of the Channel Islands).
Built in early 1942 by the Organisation Todt (OT) to house forced laborers.
Operated by the (SS-Baubrigade 1) from March 1943 to June 1944.
It was designated as a subcamp of the Neuengamme concentration camp in Hamburg, Germany.
Inmates were used for heavy forced labor to construct fortifications and permanent defences.
Positioned in a harsh coastal area exposed to severe, freezing winds from the English Channel.
Prisoners wore the infamous blue-and-white striped uniforms and faced a brutal regime of deliberate starvation, torture, and executions.
The remains of the Camp are directly south of the Alderney Airport airfield.Mostly overgrown; however, the stone gateposts of the camp entrance and a commemorative plaque still stand.

A new addition to the collection, a Wehrpass and a few associated photos and paperwork.Having just got it last night I h...
21/08/2026

A new addition to the collection, a Wehrpass and a few associated photos and paperwork.
Having just got it last night I have only had a quick cursory look at it so far.
But this one is a stark reminder that not all the soldiers who were stationed in the Channel Islands had the same outcome. Quite a few spent the whole Occupation here never firing a shot and being in relative safety.
Heinrich Priemer was not so fortunate he was in the Islands from the 23rd of February 1942 until the 4th of January 1943. After this time he transferred to a couple of other units ending up the 10 Grenadier Regiment 284. It was whilst serving with this unit that he died, killed in action on the 14th of August 1943 on the Walchow Front.
He was buried in the Friedhof/Cemetary at Mjagry.
Once the Museum is closed I will have a bit more time to research this further, but for now it will be digitally scanned and recorded.
Yet another small piece of the Islands history has been found and saved for future generations to see and help understand our recent history.

Address

Grande Route Des Mielles
Saint Ouen
JE32FN

Opening Hours

Monday 10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 10:00 - 17:00
Friday 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday 10:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+447797732072

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