- Trip for 19 members reveals scale of the reconstruction programme after the city was almost completely destroyed during the war
- Visit built on a previous trip by the society
- See more pictures from the trip below
THE harbour defences of St Malo were visited by 19 members of the Channel Islands Occupation Society recently, including members from Guernsey and the UK.
Under the guidance of Neil Walker and club archivist Colin Isherwood, the group were taken on a trip entitled Hafenverteidigung (Harbour defences) August 1944.
It was designed to build on a previous Occupation Society trip in 2015 called Die Zitadelle, which looked at the fall of the Cité d’Aleth fortification, also located in St Malo.
Mr Walker said: ‘A guided ramble approached the day from several distinct viewpoints.
‘First, the German defensive lay-out of the tidal lock gates and harbour area were examined, to reveal for such a small area how many men and positions interlocked with their weaponry around the various locks and jetties to produce a very tight defensive area.
‘Next, we headed to the walls of the city and had a lunchtime discussion on the role, tactics and final assault of the US Army’s 330th Regiment around the Paramé and Bas du Sillon area leading directly to the walls of the town itself.
‘A lesser-known aspect of the war was then uncovered, as it is believed to be the first time that Occupation Society has officially visited the tiny islet of Ile du Grande Bé, 100 metres from the walled city.
‘Much overlooked, this small piece of geography housed four casemated cannon and many supporting structures, which had something of a confused and ironic wartime history.’
Mr Waker added: ‘These elements were the subject of a talk on the island, including the construction and the artillery support for other defences, culminating in the final battle and capitulation of the battery stationed there.
‘The final aspect of the day revolved around the destruction of St Malo, with photographs to illustrate how parts of the town simply didn’t exist after the battle in 1944, and how remarkable the reconstruction of the city was.
‘It was a poignant way to finish the day, and focused less on the military aspects covered earlier, and more on the civilian privations that occurred – like the story of the men from St Malo who were imprisoned on the islet of Fort National and witnessed the burning of their town while enduring hunger and worrying for their families.
‘Photographs depicting buildings being destroyed and also of the rebuilding process of the 1950s underscored the magnitude of this battle and the effect it had on both Allied and Axis forces, as well as on the local population.
‘Several members on the trip commented that although they had been to St Malo many times, the tour uncovered elements they never knew about. It certainly changed their perspective on the town.
‘There are now plans for another trip in 2016, thanks to the enthusiasm and appetite for more shown by the members who participated in this trip.’
