Photo place ID....Long Shot!

[stona]

Hi folks, I thought I'd throw this out there.

This is a photo I found whilst trawling through the images in the Bundesarchiv. It is tagged Jersey/Guernsey and is obviously taken on one of the Channel Islands. Sadly there is no street name visible, but there's an outside chance that the business is still going or someone might recognise that street corner.



I know it's a long shot

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Steve this might help

• File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-228-0326-34A, Guernsey - Jersey ...
  commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-228-0326-34A,_Guernsey_-_Jersey,_Deutsche_Sol...
  German soldiers standing in King Street, Saint Helier, at Charing Cross (now site
  of La Croix de la Reine ... Occupation of the Channel Islands ... vor einem
  Geschäft ("Edwards - Charing Cross Bazaar") stehend, ein Soldat mit Fahrrad;
  PK 695.
  

[stona]

Thanks Terry, I never read the full tag when it got cut off after the Guernsey/Jersey bit. .....Doh!

Even I know that Saint Helier is the capital of Jersey!

Steve

[Guest]

No problem Steve glad to help

[Andy2035]

Isn't Laurie from that area, maybe he could give you some more info about the place...

[stona]

Isn't Laurie from that area, maybe he could give you some more info about the place...

I was just wondering. A lot of Channel Island photographs were very obviously taken for propaganda purposes, featuring a British Policeman and/or some civic notable for example whereas this one is just some German blokes outside a shop, albeit looking like the happy conquerors. I bet they've "requisitioned", that is nicked the bicycle though.

I read somewhere that the Dame of Sark made all the German officers who came to see her sign the visitors' book which is a back handed way of suggesting that they were not expected to stay permanently

Cheers

Steve

[Andy2035]

I guess getting them to sign in would also be of great importance to the Intelligence Department, seeing who was there etc...

[stona]

I guess getting them to sign in would also be of great importance to the Intelligence Department, seeing who was there etc...

It makes for an unusual visitors' book, that's for sure. It seems they did all sign with rank, title etc.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Well first Steve it is in Jersey.

Also in St Helier

Doubt if it is in King St as it does not fit in. The only places i could possibly be would be the Coop to the left & Mothercare right. But pavements & circumstances do not match. Also the Coop faces the main St & the Edwards name would be in the Main St not the side street. I also knew well the perfumery (now Mothercare) before it was rebuilt & that does not match. Also it would have I would have thought been the King St Bazaar if in King St.

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So second picture, no building, fits pavement lines & the corner. This is the other end of Charing Cross. Charing Cross being a road with a crossing one end.

All very boring for you but very interesting for me. Photo probably taken early in the occupation when the German Commandant was a very nice person & visited the Island after the war. But that does not hide the fact that they had a bad time. Many went to prison in France & some to the concentration camps not to be seen again. A later commandant was to all intents & purposes mother & fatherless.

Many stories. A builder friend his mother & father used their tea numerous times then dried it packed it in its original box & sold it to the Germans. A doctor who stayed to look after pregnant mothers to be & their enfants hauled his cow onto the first floor of his house to hide it from the German. As an Architect we were demolishing a property in the 60's & the owner took me the day before on to the first floor. The old party walls in Jersey are thick granite about 18" thick. A hidden recess in the wall housed a crude radio. They took the news & wrote it down & this was circulated. In the Church Steeple, adjacent to where I used to live, still houses a similar radio.

Many youths after Normandy rowed over to France to take part in the forces. Most of the Channel Island men left before the Germans occupied the Islands & joined the Forces. The Doctor did not see his wife or two children for 5 years. After Normandy the Islanders literally starved. The Germans suffered even more. More or less every tree in the Islands was used as fuel.

An amazing fact. About 10% of the Todt labour used for the building of the Atlantic Wall was occupied in Guernsey & Jersey building Sea Walls to repel British Forces. They also built an Underground Hospital in each Island. A great deal of the labour was Russian & some were rescued & hidden by Jersey people at the risk of a concentration camp death. Some paid that price.

Just a little cameo. I have lived here since 1962. The Jersey people are the very best of human being types. Friendly kind out going & generous not only with wealth but in their demeanour. They are also damn funny & have a lovely turn of sarcasm which they love to turn on with any "high faluting" Englishman. A joy to behold.

Laurie

Gone on a bit there if you managed to get to this point.

[stona]

Very interesting Laurie. If I understand correctly the Edward's shop would now be where the trees and benches are today.

Here's another. I know that I know where this is I just can't quite remember and it's driving me mad!



Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Yes but this is a reasoned, I hope, deduction.

New picture I would have guessed at Oswald Mosley. Where do not know.

Laurie

[stona]

Moseley isn't in the photograph, but I think it's London and I think those men might be members of the BUF or maybe some German organisation. The BUF didn't usually use the swastika but the "fasces" (bundle of rods tied around an axe) and a lightning symbol. It's why I noticed the image as rather unusual. The men are carrying a sign or placard with the word "Germany" in English and two of them appear to be dressed in something like lederhosen or hunting (jaeger) costume which is also a bit odd.

I know the sculpture visible top left behind the swastika banner, I'm sure I've seen it, but can't for the life of me remember where it is!

Cheers

Steve

[flyjoe180]

I placed the image into Google image search and it came up with this photo which seems to relate to the last one you posted Steve. I Can't find the location either though.

[flyjoe180]

Update. Looks like this sculpture in the background, which places it near Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner in London. (Adrian Jones' “Peace Quadriga” on Decimus Burton’s Wellington Arch).

[flyjoe180]