In 933 the Channel Islands were included in the Duchy of Normandy, becoming part of
the Anglo - Norman kingdom in 1066.
Unlike the rest of the Duchy, the islands were not conquered by the French in 1204
but remained united to the English Crown. (1)
From 1940 to 1945 they were occupied by Germany and after the liberation they came
briefly under British military rule.
(1) As a separare possession of the English monarchs, the islands were no part
of the United Kingdom, which was however responsible for their defence and
foreign relations.
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ENGLISH ADMINISTRATORS
The major islands of Guernsey and Jersey were administered by local officials, who,
in the course of the 13th century, became known as baillifs.
A central Royal representative for all islands (the Warden of the Islands) existed
only until ca. 1470. Afterwards each of the two bailiwicks had its own governors.
As these were often absentees, the importance of their local representatives, the
lieutenant governors, increased, the post of governor being finally abolished in
the course of the 19th century.
(See Guernsey and Jersey for the baillifs and lieutenant governors and here for
the heads of the Church of England for the islands)
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After occupation both major islands and their dependencies were first administered
by the commanders of the invading forces.
This was however soon followed by the creation of a military administration (the
Feldkommandatur 515), which covered all islands and was part of the German military
government in France (Militärverwaltungs-Bezirks A)
In 1944, as an allied invasion became obvious, the importance of the Feldkommandant
declined and the military commanders in the islands - until then mainly concerned
with military affairs - assumed real power. Consequently the Feldkommandatur was
degraded to the rank of Platzkommandatur.
Heads of the Military GovernmentFeldkommandanten
1940 - 1941 Maj. Friedrich Schumacher
1941 - 1944 Maj. Friedrich Knackfuss
1944 Maj. Wilhelm Kratzer*
1944 Maj. I. V. Heider
Platzkommandanten
1944 - 1945 Maj. I. V. Heider s.a.
1945 Capt. Kurt von Cleve
Military CommandersIsland CommanderInselkommandant
1940 - 1944 LtGen. Rudolf Graf von Schmettow,
with residence on Jersey until
1943, then on Guernsey
Subordinated Commander in Guernsey
1940 - 1943 Maj. ... Bandelow
Subordinated Commander in Jersey
1943 - 1944 Col. Siegfried Heine 1883 - 1975
Fortress CommandersFestungsKommandanten
(Directly subordinated to the High Command)
In 1944 the islands were declared to be Festungen (Fortresses) to be held to the
last man and the Island commander was replaced by three Fortress Commanders.
Fortress Commander of Alderney
1944 - 1945 Maj. ... Schwalm, commander of the
island since 1943.
Fortress Commanders of Guernsey (including Sark)
1944 LtGen. Rudolf Graf von Schmettow s.a.
1944 - 1945 CAdm. Friedrich Hüffmeier 1898 - 1972
1945 MajGen. Rudolf Wulf 1905 -
Fortress Commander of Jersey
1944 - 1945 MajGen. Siegfried Heine s.a.
Military Commander of the Channel IslansWehrmachtbefehlshaber Kanal-Inseln
In 1945 the three Fortress Commanders came under one overall command.
1945 VAdm. Friedrich Hüffmeier, surrendered
on may 09 s.a.
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BRITISH MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR
Head of the British Military Government of the Channel Islands
1945 Brig. Alfred G. Snow
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