So interesting to learn that Nazis occupied one (or more?) of the British Channel Islands. Looking at a map, it was astoundingly close to London.
The article doesn’t expound much on the island’s connection to the Great Escape. Apparently, after the war, the British were so focused on holding those responsible for executing 50 of the recaptured Great Escapees, that they gave the Soviets authority to investigate war crimes at the Nazi camps on Alderney because the majority of the prisoners housed there were Soviet. The Soviets received all of the existing files on the Alderney occupation and then did not follow up with any investigation.
I’ve spent a good chunk of my morning reading all about Alderney’s occupation, the Great Escape, and the various types of Nazi camps: forced labor camps, concentration camps, death camps, transit camps, and POW camps. I’m still unclear of the distinction between the first two categories, although several articles make a point to say that among the forced labor camps in Alderney, one was a concentration camp. Can anyone further enlighten me?
I love DU for the breadth of topics posted beyond the political news. I learn so much here. Thank you for posting this, Sl8! I
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