I specialise in World War II history tours/walks & videos in Guernsey, Alderney & Sark đ Photos taken at the time help bring the walk to life.
I became a tour guide primarily because of my great interest in local history, but specifically military history in connection with the Second World War and the German Occupation of the Channel Islands. I have established eight walks:
THE SECRETS & MILITARY HISTORY OF THE L'EREE PENINSULA
A tour of the LâEree headland which brings to life my passion for World War II German and Napoleonic histor
y and fortifications around the LâEree headland area. This circular walk also takes in a Neolithic/Bronze Age passage grave and other Neolithic stone building, features of the Ice Ages from 120,000 years ago, the best preserved WWII German trenches in the island, the wreck of the âProsperityâ â as well as existing German and Napoleonic fortifications. The walk possibly includes a look in a preserved German anti-tank bunker if time permits. THE MILITARY HISTORY OF L'ANCRESSE & PEMBROKE
This tour takes in the area between Fort Le Marchant and Fort Pembroke and focuses on the important and interesting military history of this area from the late 18th Century to the German Occupation during the Second World War. There are many period photographs to help visualise the past. If time permits, a visit to a newly opened-up and preserved anti-aircraft German command bunker is possible. THE SECRETS & MILITARY HISTORY OF THE JERBOURG PENINSULA
This tour is a circular walk around the Jerbourg headland and focuses on the history of this area since prehistoric times, but primarily on the WWII German fortifications of this area, including stores of the first British commando raids of the war. As in my other walks, there are plenty of period photographs to help bring the past to life. THE SECRETS OF THE GERMAN WWII MIRUS GUN BATTERY
A tour of one of the four vast German underground batteries, that made up the largest gun battery in the Channel Islands. This particular one is the best preserved and shows how much effort went into Hitlerâs directive of October 1941 - making Guernsey into an impregnable fortress. This tour is brought to life with many photographs taken at the time of its construction and use. THE WWII GERMAN OCCUPATION OF SARK
This all-day walk that I lead twice a year, takes in many interesting sites on the beautiful Channel Island of Sark that was occupied by the German Forces from 1940 until 1945. We will walk the route of two infamous British commando raids, visit the murder scene of a German Officer, look around the area where the German Head-quarters were situated, visit the field where an RAF Lancaster crash-landed, visit the local cemetery and graves of people and personalities who featured in the occupation years, visit two tunnels constructed by forced labour and other places connected with the Occupation. Plenty of contemporary photos help bring the walk to life. We stop for refreshments and lunch. THE WWII GERMAN OCCUPATION OF ALDERNEY
This fascinating all-day tour visits various WWII German fortifications on the peaceful Channel Island of Alderney that was occupied by the German Forces between 1940 and 1945; these include the remains of the only SS forced labour camp on British soil, a coastal defence gun battery and associated structures, two underground tunnels built by Russian & Ukrainan forced labour under the Organisation Todt, an infantry Strongpoint consisting of many structures including the only remaining steel armoured cupola in the Bailiwick and an infantry position that was built into an old Roman fort. If time permits, a visit to the Museum and/or the main German Command Bunker may be possible. We stop for lunch and refreshments. THE GHOSTS OF THE WWII MIRUS GUN BATTERY
In recent years, a number of 'ghostly' goings-on have been reported in many of the four large Mirus underground bunkers, and this has attracted one or two paranormal investigation teams to investigate and see if they can find any evidence of this activity. This tour & talk will concentrate on this fascinating and spooky activity rather than a general Occupation tour of the bunker, with first and second-hand stories and sightings and my own personal experiences. If those who attend are interested, and want further information, we can talk about our paranormal team who regularly investigate there. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE WALKS, I ALSO UNDERTAKE PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS WITH MY TEAM 'PARANORMAL EVENTS GUERNSEY' (P.E.G.)
âParanormal Events Guernseyâ is a locally-based paranormal investigation team, who have evolved over the last two years, and now regularly host both public & corporate paranormal evenings where we use specialist equipment to try to find evidence of the paranormal. After conducting these investigations for nearly three years, we are now a credible, experienced paranormal investigation team with an array of paranormal investigation equipment at our disposal. Our paranormal evenings are organised and structured so that everyone experiences various investigation techniques, and whatever your beliefs we promise a thought-provoking, fun evening for all. The public evenings are usually fully booked within a short time of advertising them, so early booking is recommended. Those with any previous experience of paranormal investigations, and those who own EVP or EMF meters, infrared cameras or other equipment are most welcome. Please check out our Paranormal Events Guernsey page and also our YouTube Channel - where we have uploaded many videos of our investigations!
03/02/2025
Saumarez Park flooded worse than ever!
26/01/2025
A recent encounter with someone who had seen a documentary filmed in Guernsey in 2021 by Gaz Papworth (Element Films) involving a young RAF fighter pilot who baled out of his Hawker Hurricane over the German-occupied Channel Islands one night in April 1941, prompted me to attach the following link from an article published in the Bailiwick Express.
The article contains a link to the documentary - called âStirlingâs Warâ - on YouTube.
For those who have not seen this yet, it is well worth a look at this fascinating small piece of local history.
A remarkable and moving war story set on Lihou Island is the focus of Gaz Papworth's third film. It follows two highly-rated documentaries he made about mental health.
16/01/2025
ALDERNEY OCCUPATION HISTORY
Here are thirteen buildings that still survive in the Channel Island of Alderney which were taken over by senior members from different sections of the German Occupying Forces (a couple have been rebuilt/renovated post-war):
1. âESSEX HOUSEâ (formerly the âDevereaux House Hotelâ) in Barrackmaster Lane:
This was the Headquarters (HQ) of the senior Organisation Todt (OT) representative on the island. He was the Construction Superintendent or Bauleiter (equivalent military rank was Major) and all the camps, camp commandants and workers were under his authority. The first Bauleiter was Dr Panzer until June 1942 when Bauleiter Johann Buttmann took this position until September 1943. The last Bauleiter was Leo Ackermann who took over until the summer of 1944 when most of the OT force had withdrawn to France.
2. âVAL DES PORTESâ at the top of Route de Braye:
This was the main Wehrmacht officerâs mess who called it âDas Generalhausâ. It was run by the Army Billeting Office (Heeresunterkunftverwaltung, or HUV), and it was also where the Senior Engineering Officer on the island lived for some time.
3. âSAYE FARMâ - the large house on the eastern side of Saye Campsite:
This was the residence of the Norderney Camp Commandants (Lagerfuhrers). The first commandant of Norderney was OT-HauptruppfĂźhrer Paul Orgis, who also ran Brauneck Labour Camp in Boulogne, France. He was replaced by an OT- HauptruppfĂźhrer Karl Tietz, who ran Norderney until being sentenced to a prison term on charges of black marketing. The camp was run for a short period by OT-Bauleiter Theo Konitz, and from December 1942 until June 1944 by OT-HaupttruppfĂźhrer Adam Adler, who also carried the SS rank of UntersturmfĂźhrer and sometimes wore the SS uniform (Adler's SS membership was not with the Totenkopfverbande (Death's Head) Division who ran the camps such as in Sylt, but with the Allgemeine (General) Division in which he drove vehicles.
(The camp was destroyed after June 1944)
4. THE ROYAL CONNAUGHT HOTEL in Connaught Square (formerly âSeymour Houseâ):
This was the Headquarters of the Island Commandant (Inselkommandanteur) from late July 1941; this was later known as Fortress HQ (Festungskommandanteur) and was the Island Commandantâs administrative office, the staff of which were billeted in Victoria and New Street. The Commandants were: Hauptmann (Captain) Carl Hoffmann (July 1941 - December 1941), Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Gleden (December 1941 - January 1942), Oberstleutnant Rhode (January 1942 - February 1942), Major Zuske (February 1942 - November 1943) and finally Oberstleutnant Schwalm (November 1943 until May 1945).
5. âLE CHALETâ on Longis Common:
The original middle section of the house (not the two wing additions) was originally located on the eastern perimeter of Sylt Camp, and was the residence of its Commmandant SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Maximillian List from the summer of 1943 until he left Alderney in March 1944 when he was posted to Oslo. His deputy SS Obersturmfuhrer Georg Braun took over as commandant and lived there until July 1944 when the camp was destroyed, and the SS staff and inmates were shipped back to Europe.
6. âLONGIS HOUSEâ in Longis Road:
This was the living quarters from late 1943 for the Island Commandant Oberstleutnant Schwalm, which he shared with the Senior Naval Officer on the island. This house has been rebuilt/renovated since the occupation.
7. LLOYDS BANK in Victoria Street (the bank has recently closed down) :
This was the Headquarters of Feldkommandanteur 515 (Fk515) from the summer of 1941. It was a civilian administration who looked after the law and order within the garrison and the civilian employees from Guernsey & Jersey. The staff were civilians, but wore military uniform and were subject to military law. It was an outpost of the main FK515 Headquarters in Guernsey located in the Grange Lodge Hotel.
8. THE VICTORIA HOTEL in Victoria Street:
This was the communal kitchen for the civilian employees, the majority of which were from Guernsey and Jersey, however this was not a âmessâ, and the food was delivered to their billets in St Anne.
9. âMARTYN HOUSEâ at the junction of New Street and Victoria Street:
This was the Island Pay Office (Inselzahlmeisterei) where the pay for both all the troops and workers was administered.
10. THE COURT HOUSE in New Street:
This was the Army Ration Office (Heeresverpflegungsamt - HVA) where its office and central store were located. All food supplies were administered here by the Army, which included all the workers, OT and SS staff. From 1943, the Garrison Officer was appointed in charge of the prison cells in the building for both military and civilian persons who received a sentence of seven days or more, providing their crimes were not serious enough to be transferred out of the island.
11. âNORTH STARâ in Victoria Street:
This was the residence of OT Construction Superintendent (Bauleiter) Leo Ackermann, and may well have been the residence of the previous Bauleiter Johann Buttmann.
12. THE ISLAND HALL in Connaught Square:
This became the main Soldatenheim (soldiers rest home) during the Occupation where the general troops could come to relax and socialise. Itâs is now the Island Hall where the administration of the island is undertaken.
Connaught Square was a busy area in those years; today itâs very quiet.
13. âPEACEHAVENâ at the bottom of Braye Hill:
This was the German Kriegsmarine (Navy) officers mess and is also where the German Commandant of the island - Oberleutnant Schwalm - surrendered to Brigadier Snow and his British landing party after they arrived by armed trawler in Braye Harbour the day the island was liberated on 16 May 1945. 3202 troops were left on the island at that time.
11/01/2025
Here is the brand new song âIsland of Shadowsâ and its music video written & produced by me in memory of the almost 1000 foreign forced workers who died in Alderney during the German Occupation under terrible conditions. The song is my personal tribute to all of them.
The lyrics are written by me and Suno AI was used in the composition of the music (with some tweaks).
Many of the photos in the video are/were taken in Alderney (including the cemeteries) - and some were taken during those bleak times in other places.
The photos of the two young Russian workers were taken in Helgoland Camp in Alderney on their arrival there and the group photo is of Russian men taken in the 1980s who were all forcibly rounded up, sent to Alderney and incredibly survived.
The lyrics were inspired by the book âIsland of Dread in the Channelâ by Georgi Kondakov (he was one of those in the 1980s photo and this incredible book is based on his experiences in Alderney).
Acknowledgements and thanks (as well as the lyrics) are in the YouTube video information.
The song is being played everyday this week at 8.30am on Alderneyâs Riduna Radio.
During the German Occupation of the Channel Islands, thousands of forced workers of many nationalities were sent to the island of Alderney between 1942 and 1...
02/01/2025
In his brand new video, YouTube's young history presenter (from Guernsey) highlights a turbulent period of Guernseyâs history from over 200 years ago.
After 1204, when King John lost Normandy in France, for many years the French had attacked the Channel Islands in revenge for the islands choosing to side with English Crown and not France.
After a period of relative peace between both countries for around 400 years, the American War of Independence was the catalyst for another period of trouble between England and France that would end with the Napoleonic Wars at the beginning of the 19th Century; this put the Channel Islands on a high state of alert which resulted in the construction of a number of fortifications.
Zac shows two of these fortifications that still exist, and his unique style of presentation makes this an interesting video for all history buffs.
In this video, YouTubeâs youngest history presenter, Zac Osborne, is in the British Channel Island of Guernsey to describe a turbulent period of history from...
01/01/2025
A little message from YouTubeâs youngest history presenter âŚâŚ
28/12/2024
In one of his recent videos, YouTube history presenter Zac Osborne travels to Alderney and explores a little known small fortification that was connected to the infamous forced labour camp run by the âSSâ.
As part of the camps expansion in March 1943, the âSSâ ordered the construction of five concrete sentry posts, or pillboxes, around the outer perimeter of the camp. Only two survive in their original location, with another one buried under the thick vegetation near the main gates of the camp.
Zac explains what they were used for and where they were located in this short film ..... next time you visit Alderney, why not go and check this quirky fortification out:
In his new video, YouTube history presenter Zac Osborne travels to Alderney and explores a little known small fortification that was connected to Camp âSyltâ...
26/12/2024
YouTubeâs youngest history presenter (with his âPurpleâ Rainbow friend) helped me take photos around Guernseyâs Fort Doyle this Boxing Day afternoon for my new history post Iâm in the process of researching âŚ.
08/12/2024
YouTube history presenter Zac Osborne has now made nearly 50 videos on history in the Bailiwick and beyond âŚ.. many of which are about Alderneyâs fantastic history.
His next few videos are in the editing process and include Helgoland labour camp in Alderney, the only WWII RAF crew member buried in Guernsey âŚ.. and the Frankie Howerd story (involving trips to London & Somerset)!
Watch this space! đ
21/11/2024
âCITADELLAâ LABOUR CAMP IN ALDERNEY
This alleged camp has always been the subject of rumour and speculation, as no real evidence had existed of its location or if it existed.
Over the years, it has thought to have been a separate camp for Morroccan workers at Hauteville and Le Vallee âŚ.. and another name for Newtown Camp.
However, recent archaeological research in a number of Archives (including International Red Cross records) came up with a document dated 1951, which referred to the existence of four camps on Alderney: âHelgoland, Le Bochum (Borkum), âNorderneyâ and âLa Citadelle/de Citadelle (the Citadel); it said the latter was âoccupied by Russians and Germans (politicals, anti-Nazis & conscientious objectors) âŚ.. this was an accurate description of Sylt concentration camp - which is not named at all in the document.
Itâs, therefore, quite possible that itâs Sylt being described rather than a separate fifth camp.
This has happened before, because in 1945 some prisoners referred to âthe concentration campâ (likely Sylt but possibly Norderney) as âCassetteâ and âChateauâ.
Therefore, although mystery still surrounds Citadella camp, this recent documentation suggests that Citadella - a fifth main camp in Alderney - may never have existed at all, and that it was Sylt all along.
(Information from occupied Alderney)
21/11/2024
NEWTOWN LABOUR CAMP IN ALDERNEY
It is well known that there were four main labour camps in Alderney that housed the majority of the OT conscripted and forced workers: Lager Sylt, Lager Norderney, Lager Helgoland & Lager Borkum.
What is not so well known, is that there were also a handful of other smaller camps scattered around Alderney that were often set up in areas nearby to where work needed to be done and often with labour that was slightly higher 'up the pecking order' such as political prisoners.
One such camp was Newtown Camp, thought to have been in operation in late 1941/early 1942 until 1943, and which comprised a couple of small camps with accommodation huts and requisitioned houses, all within the same area bounded by: Newtown Road/Rue de Beaumont/Route de Braye.
It is believed that civilian workers, German political prisoners, French and Belgian workers were housed within Newtown Camp, and itâs thought they may have worked in the nearby quarry and OT Saw Mill, as well as the in the harbour area, the construction of the Lower Road and involved in building the other four camps.
An eyewitness of that time described them as poorly clothed, but that they were not that badly treated and had some freedom to move around during the day - even being ignored by the German soldiers. However, as time went on, the treatment of prisoners deteriorated as the building of fortifications intensified during the second half of 1942 and during 1943, and Newtown Camp was thought to have been abandoned by the end of 1942 or early 1943 as numbers increased in the other four main camps.
M.I. 19 - part of the British Military Intelligence Division during WW2, reported that the main camp, consisting of nine beaverboard huts and surrounded by barbed wire, was located between Newtown Road and the railway track, in the area now occupied by Clos de Mer; it also included a nearby compound to the north west of this camp that was the location of the Organisation Todt sawmill (which was operated by the German Company 'Deubau') - this area is now Le Banquage housing estate.
When the Royal Engineers came after Liberation in 1945, they marked the position of the main camp as the former OT sawmill compound as well as the huts mentioned in the previous paragraph.
One area the workers are thought to have been billeted were in one or two houses adjacent to the pink house called 'Peacehaven' in Route du Braye; this house was built by forced labour under the Germans, and it is believed to have a Jewish star carved into one of the wooden beams in the attic. (This house is also where the German Surrender was signed on 16th May 1945). Another place workers were thought to be housed were the two connected roadside cottages in Newtown Road.
At the end of the day, not a huge amount is known about this camp because there is little documentation and a lack of witness testimonies.
There is, however, one remaining piece of evidence of the camp: the stone pillars that mark the main entrance into Newtown Camp and OT saw mill complex are still in place at the entrance into Le Banquage estate on the Lower Road opposite Braye Beach
13/11/2024
Nice couple of hours this morning around Icart & Saints Bay with Keith Pengelley checking out WW2 & Napoleonic stuff! đ
10/11/2024
A WW2 GERMAN MACHINE GUN POST IN THE ISLAND OF GUERNSEY
Last April, the worldâs youngest history presenter visited Pleinmont on the very south-west corner of Guernsey, in order to show you a small WW2 German concrete fortification thatâs located on high ground overlooking the sea towards the Hanois Lighthouse.
This remnant of the Occupation is a machine gun post that housed an MG34 machine gun manned by German troops, and was formidably positioned to defend against any attack or landing by the Allied forces.
It can be accessed fairly easily, but care must be taken in climbing up the steep slope in wet conditions, because the steep paths become quite slippery.
Of all the WW2 German machine gun posts that still exist in the island, this one has the most amazing views.
In this video, young Zac Osborne visits the very south-west corner of Guernsey at Pleinmont in order to show you a small WW2 German concrete fortification si...
08/11/2024
Iâm pleased to announce the release of the music video for my latest song.
âForever Moreâ was written by me for my 6 year-old son.
The reason I wrote this is because I was in my fifties when he was born, and as an older dad I know I wonât be around for most of his life âŚ.. so I wanted to put something down in words and music as a permanent reminder to him of how much I loved and adored him, when Iâm no longer here đđ˝
(He is the boy in the video).
This song is also for fathers everywhere, and I hope the lyrics resonate with them as much as they do with me.
Beautifully sung by Tyler Edmonds, a talented musician and founder of the School of Popular Music, his voice conveys the emotion in the words, and I am very grateful to him for singing this.
âForever Moreâ is available to stream/download from Spotify/iTunes/Apple Music/ Amazon/Deezer/Tidal and other online stores: https://share.amuse.io/GMIMc4lQCYZo
Words & Music by Tim Osborne
Produced & Recorded by Mikey Ferbrache at Apocalypse Studios
Filmed on location in Guernsey by Rocco Mauger
âForever Moreâ was written by me for my 6 year-old son Zac.The reason i did so, quite simply, is because I was in my fifties when he was born, and as an olde...
04/11/2024
MUSIC VIDEO AT THE VALE CASTLE
During this summer, we had the idea to make a music video combining history, original music, the worldâs youngest history presenter âZacâ and a bunch of kids âflossingâ to a specially written track by local songwriter Tewnafish called âHere We Goâ đ
âFlossâ dancing was popular a few years ago, but we decided to try to revive it for this video using the Vale Castle as the backdrop and young kids willing to come along, have some fun and âflossâ their stuff ⌠and some parents too!
This is the result âŚ. please âlikeâ or subscribe:
This music video is the result of an idea to combine a bit of history and music with the worldâs youngest history presenter and a bunch of kids âflossingâ to...
27/10/2024
âTHE FORCED LABOUR CAMPS OF ALDERNEYâ
An illustrated talk by me on the camps that were set up in Alderney to house the thousands of forced labourers sent there to build the numerous concrete fortifications, the conditions they endured and the rumours & myths that have abounded in recent years.
Location: Guernsey Areo Club
Date: Wednesday 6th November
Time: 8pm (Doors open at 7.30pm - grab a drink as itâs expected to be busy)
24/10/2024
âNeon Lightsâ is the new track Iâve written, with a little help from AI, after the recent passing of a family member.
I wanted to convey in words and music, the sadness when someone close dies and the emotions that people go through when dealing with such a loss.
This song is for all those who have lost someone close âŚ. may they all rest in peace.
Itâs available to download/stream on all major online music platforms - here is a link to the track on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music & Deezer: https://share.amuse.io/track/tewnafish-neon-lights
âNeon Lightsâ is the new track written by me after the recent passing of a close family member. I wanted to convey in words and music, the sadness when someo...
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A little message from YouTubeâs youngest history presenter âŚâŚ
The worldâs youngest historian loving the new song that I have written for Guernseyâs exciting, new and undiscovered female vocalist âŚ. brilliantly recorded by Mikey Ferbrache, it will be released in the next couple of weeks or so âŚâŚ
Tim Osborne became a Silver Accredited tour guide in 2013 primarily because of his great interest in military history covering the pre-Napoleonic and Napoleonic times, and especially the German Occupation during the Second World War, when the islands were occupied by German Forces from July 1940 - May 1945. He also has a keen interest in pre-history and local general history. . Although Tim is a full-time airline pilot, his working roster allows him enough time away from his job to conduct various walks/tours that he has established in the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Sark. These include:
THE SECRETS AND MILITARY HISTORY OF THE LâEREE PENINSULA : A walk which brings to life his passion for WWII German and Napoleonic history around the LâEree headland area in Guernsey. This circular walk also takes in a Neolithic/Bronze Age passage grave and other Neolithic stone building, features of the Ice Ages from 120,000 years ago, the wreck of the âProsperityâ where all hands were lost and the best preserved WWII German trenches in the island - as well as existing German and Napoleonic fortifications. The walk concludes with a look in a preserved WWII German anti-tank bunker. Contemporary photographs help bring the past to life.
THE MILITARY HISTORY OF LâANCRESSE AND PEMBROKE: This walk takes in the area between Fort Le Marchant and Fort Pembroke in Guernsey, and focuses on the important and interesting military history of this area from the late 18th Century to the German Occupation during the Second World War. If time permits, a visit to a recently opened-up and preserved anti-aircraft German command bunker is possible. There are many period photographs to help visualise the past.
THE SECRETS AND MILITARY HISTORY OF THE JERBOURG PENINSULA: This is a circular walk around the Jerbourg headland in Guernsey, and focuses on the history of this area since pre-historic times, when this headland was an important defensive position, but primarily on the World War II German fortifications in this area. This includes visiting various structures of Battery Strassburg (the first operational German Naval gun battery in the island) and other German fortifications, the site of the old Jerbourg Signal Station that was built on an old watch tower that was part of Chateau Jerbourg, the Jerbourg Monument - which replaced the original monument demolished by the Germans and visiting the area where the first British Commando raids of WWII took place. Three Napoleonic-era cannon batteries can also be seen on the walk. As in his other walks, there are plenty of period photographs to help bring the past to life.
THE SECRETS OF THE MIRUS GUN BATTERY: This is a tour of one of the four vast 1000m2 WWII German underground bunkers and gun positions that were part of the largest gun battery in the Channel Islands. This particular one is the best preserved and shows how much effort went into Hitlerâs directive of October 1941- making Guernsey into an impregnable fortress. Although there is mains electricity and lighting, it is advisable to bring a torch. This tour is brought to life with many photographs taken at the time of its construction and use.
THE WWII GERMAN OCCUPATION OF SARK: An all day walking tour that takes in many interesting sites and fortifications on the beautiful Channel Island of Sark that was occupied by the Germans from 4th July 1940 until 10th May 1945. This includes walking the route of two Allied Commando raids: Operation Hardtack 7 â a complete failure, and Operation Basalt â the unfortunate raid that gave rise to Hitlerâs infamous Commando Order (Kommandobefehl) on 18 October 1942, which stated all Allied Commandos encountered by German forces should be killed immediately, or after interrogation by the Gestapo. The tour also includes walking around the âCitadelâ, the area in the centre of the Island where the German Headquarters were situated, visiting the field where an RAF Lancaster crash-landed after mistaking Sark for the Isle of Wight, and the scene of the murder of a German Officer and taking in other places connected with the Occupation, including two tunnels built by conscripted and forced labour. Tim has gained special permission to access private properties for this walk, which takes place twice a year in both the Guernsey Spring and Autumn Walking Festivals. Photos taken at the time help bring the walk to life. (Ferry and lunch/drinks extra).
THE WWII GERMAN OCCUPATION OF ALDERNEY:
This all day tour takes in a variety of sites and fortifications on the peaceful Channel Island of Alderney, some 17 miles north of Guernsey, which was occupied from 2nd July 1940 until 16th May 1945. The tour includes a walk around Battery Annes, an accessible site that housed four 15cm guns, a command post, personnel bunkers and other structures that were under the control of the Army. Also included are a visit to the remains of SS Lager Sylt, the only SS concentration camp that was on British soil, and the site of itâs Kommandantâs house with adjoining tunnel; Stutzpunkt Biberkopf, a German strongpoint that is easily accessible and has a wide variety of structures including searchlight shelters, mortar positions, personnel bunkers, a 10.5cm coastal defence gun position and a steel cupola that housed machine guns; and one or two tunnels built by forced foreign labour. A visit to the museum is a possibility if time permits. Photos taken at the time help bring the walk to life
(Ferry, minibus and lunch/drinks extra).
A PARANORMAL EVENING AT THE WWII MIRUS GUN BATTERY:
The main aim of this tour is to try to find any evidence of the paranormal as we walk around a large 1000m2 WWII German underground bunker in darkness, attempting to communicate with any spirits, entities and energies that reside there with our modern technical equipment including EMF Meters, EVP recorders, Rem-pods, Laser matrix grids, Infrared camcorders and a new SLS (structured light sensor) camera. We also attempt to communicate using a glass tumbler, and have had amazing results with this. Those with an interest in the paranormal, German fortifications and those with any previous experience of paranormal investigations are welcome. Red or UV torches are required. Whether you are seriously into the paranormal or just want a bit of fun, everyone is welcome.
As well as these five walking tours, which take place mainly during the Guernsey Spring & Autumn Walking Festivals and the Heritage Festivals each year, Tim is also happy to arrange bespoke walking tours in Guernsey for groups or work social outings, whether it be in connection with the WWII German Occupation, the Napoleonic era or prehistoric times. Tim also arranges regular paranormal evenings in one of the large underground bunkers at the WWII Mirus Gun Battery where modern ghost hunting equipment is used to capture evidence of the paranormal. Future locations are being sought.