Today we remember the life of Henry Peter Turpin who 80 years ago this eve was shot in the back by German Soldiers close to his home in the military zone of St Ouen's Bay.
80 years ago today in Jersey 1st February 1941
Today would be the 216th day of the Islands Occupation with 1,558 days remaining.
Today we remember the life of Henry Peter Turpin who 80 years ago this eve was shot in the back by German Soldiers. It was claimed, by the Germans, that he was arrested in the Military zone and broke free to escape, and was subsequently shot in the back for failing to obey the stop order. His brother Corentin Julian Turpin may have been with him on this fateful night as he was tried later in February for 'resistance to members of the armed forces'. But, he may also have struck out at the Germans after being told of his brother's death.
It was reported by the Police that Henry was a married man with two children (his wife and daughter had evacuated and his son lived with the grandparents). Henry lived in a bungalow named 'Westward Ho' (below) in the Militarised zone of St Ouen and was believed to have been returning from his neighbour's bungalow 'Baycfroft' which was about 50 yards away on the Five-mile road. This was at 10:45 pm. He was shot dead and his smashed watch stopped at 11.03. Sadly he will not be the only islander to be shot by the German's during the five-year occupation.
The bungalows were all found close to the Chateau Plaisir Hotel on the North end of St Ouen's Bay close to the Jersey Pearl and Lewis Tower. If anyone has more information please do get in touch.
Further afield
1st February 1941
The commonwealth graves commission record deaths 76 this day 80 years ago, the average age was 24.
RAF Action
RAF Bomber Command sends 13 aircraft to attack Boulogne overnight.
Offensive day patrols were carried out over France and Belgium by our fighters, which sometimes escorted formations of bombers. Attacks were made on several objectives including docks and shipping at Boulogne. Several Enemy aircraft were encountered. five of which were destroyed and one damaged. Our losses were ten aircraft destroyed or missing. Daylight attacks on enemy aerodromes included a very successful attack on St. Omer.
Atlantic Naval Reports
German submarine U-48 sank Greek ship “Nicolas Angelos” with a torpedo and shots from the deck gun south of Iceland at 2215 hours.
Occupation Focus
The cover of today's blog is the German Resistance Nest Molve Verclut which is found on the North East coast of Jersey.
Situated at St Catherine's Breakwater WN Mole Verlut was a substantial stronghold for the Germans. There were two heavy machine gun bunkers, many shelters, anti-tank defences a Type 670 casemate bunker for a 10.5cm gun, and a tunnel.
As always, much more information on the blue link including exact location and map.
The February book reommendation is "Six Days." The story centres around the paratroopers of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and the brave citizens of the quiet French hamlet. The battle of Grainges maybe not as well known as some of the invasion stories but this beautifully illustrated novel captures the true story.
Exploring bunkers Always get permission from the owner Take a torch, a spare and one more for luck Don't go alone & tell someone where you will be and for how long You will get dirty as most are often full of rubbish and may have been used as a public toilet Anything you find still belongs to the person that owns the property Unexploded ordnance is still found in Jersey if you see or find anything that looks like ordnance please call the bomb disposal officer on 01534 612 61
Sources of Information German Documents are housed at The National Archived in Washington or Archive in Kew UK T-78 Roll 317: OKH Coastal and Channel Defenses Files 1940-44 -
T-78 Roll 318: OKH Coastal and Channel Defenses Files 1941-43
T-315 Roll 1639: 216th Security Division War Diary
(Kriegstagebuch), Belgium, France & Russia 1939-42
T-1022 Roll 2423: Various War Diaries (Kriegstagebucher), Channel Islands 1941-44
Atlantic Wall Coastal Battery Lists: Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, & France 1944-45
T-312 Roll 1559: 7th Army War Diary (Kriegstagebuch), France 1941-43 & T-312 Roll 1558
T-315 Roll 1643: 216th Security Division War Diary
(Kriegstagebuch), Belgium, France & Russia 1939-41
T-311 Roll 16: Army Group D War Diary (Kriegstagebuch), Western Front Aug-Nov 1944 Operation Green Arrow - Occupation of the Channel Islands MOD 584 Allied Technical Intelligence Reports 1942-45 German Preparations for Invasion of the United Kingdom 1941-42 B-833, 319th Infantry Division (1941-45) German Seacoast Defenses, European Theatre - prepared by the Artillery Evaluation Board
BBC News & Archives
The Britannica Jersey Occupied by Michael Ginns - ISBN 978-1-905095-29-2 Operation Nestegg Plans Operation Hardtack Plans Operation Basalt Plans RAF Photos care of The National Collection of Aerial Photography
The National Archive of Newspapers Bundesarchiv - Multiple Photos - and Files A Map of slave labour camps. Kindly Provided by Emilio Pérez Photo's and information provided by fans Onsite visits & internet research
Cabinet Papers Second World War memoranda (cab 661- cab 665) After the Battle Multiple Magazines
CIOS Archive & Publications (become a member here)
If we have used any photos or information which you believe to posted without permission, please contact us at info@jerseywartours.com and we will resolve asap.
Jersey War Tours is Registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission as a Non-Profit Organisation - NPO1207
Jargon Help
Widerstandsnest (WN) = Resistance Nest (RN) A small pocket of resistance, these would be made up of small groups of up to 10 men with light weapons. They would man Anti-tank weapons, an observation post or a field gun. Stützpunkt St.P = Strongpoint (STP) Next level up from an RN and consisted of several RN's. STP areas would have a combination of weapons and different branches of the military used. Examples of this can be found with Strongpoint Greve de Lecq and Strongpoint Corbiere Einsatzstellung = Operational Position or Action Post Smaller MG type position generally it was only maned during an alert Feldwache = Field Watch Early resistance nest
Jägerstand
Jäger Casemate was a special design and name for bunkers designed to hold a 10.5cm field gun
