The Channel Islands, self-governing British Crown dependencies lying o the coast of Normandy in France, have a fascinating military heritage. Jersey and Guernsey are the two largest islands, but other inhabited islands include Alderney, Sark and Herm. Open to invaders, including the Vikings, the islands passed to Norman control in the ninth century. Although King John lost all his mainland Normandy possessions, he retained the islands, which became an important strategic stronghold, heavily fortified and often defended by local militias. Defences were strengthened during the threat of invasion of Britain by Napoleon but were occupied by German forces in the Second World War, becoming part of their Atlantic Wall defences.

This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about the Channel Islands’ remarkable military history.