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Until the liberation of Jersey in 1945, the residents of the island - and the neighbouring Channel Islands - had to endure five years of German occupation. Today, there are numerous sites associated with this period you can visit. The Occupation Trail takes in all of them, with many of the landmarks lining the coast and more that can be found inland. If you're a fan of walking and history, following this route could make for the perfect trip. You can trek along the trail using a guidebook, travel by car or use public transport, but however you decide to get around it's worth dedicating a few days to this trip. There's so much to see it will take time to experience it all. On your journey, you will see landmarks that were transformed by the Germans to add to their defence of the island, those they specifically built and those that have been produced since the war came to an end in remembrance of this period. Here are a few of the most famous. Elizabeth Castle This fortification in St Aubin's Bay was one of Jersey's most famous sights before the Germans invaded in 1940. It was built during the times of the Tudors and named after Queen Elizabeth I, and was also the one-time home of Sir Walter Raleigh while he was governor of the island. Elizabeth Castle has superior military capabilities and this was recognised by the Germans, who added to it in order to incorporate it into their own defensive strategy. As a result, the building today has a control tower at the top that can be used as a lookout post and a large freestanding bunker near the water. Here, the minefield that had been laid in St Helier Harbour to destroy invading ships could be electronically detonated. Jersey War Tunnels Anyone with an interest in the second world war who is visiting Jersey must be sure to check out this famous site, which is arguably one of the most famous left behind by the Germans. Constructed over a period of more than three years, the complex tunnel system was used as a hospital to treat the occupying military, rather than civilians. It was also known as Hohlgangsanlage 8 and though you may be impressed by the architecture, you might find you get emotional upon hearing that it was constructed using slave labour, with people from France, Poland and Spain among those forced to work in terrible conditions - which in some cases proved fatal. Inside, there are numerous galleries detailing what life was like during the occupation, along with a Garden of Reflection where those who died during the war can be remembered. Channel Islands Military Museum You will find this museum in St Ouen, where it is based in one of the defensive structures that made up Hitler's Atlantic Wall - a project to defend the northern European coastline from the Allies. There is so much to see here, including a mix of both military and civilian artefacts. Many of the items on display are in just as good condition as they were during World War II, so they can provide you with a real glimpse into the island's past. Resource To plan the perfect history trip on the liberation of Jersey, visit Jersey.com to download the Occupation Trail route.
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