.
.
by John Grehan.
Hardback (6.4×9.5 inches). 239 pages. 2023.
Subtitle: The Planned Operation to Eject the Germans in 1943
If you look at the title and subtitle, you might think this book is about British raids and proposed Channel Island invasion plans to go with the American proposed Operation Roundup, the invasion of France 1943. In general, yes, but not at first. The first eight chapters are all about commando raids, such as Dieppe, and everywhere except the Channel Islands. Plans and raids regarding the Channel Islands start with Chapter 9 (p118+).
Once the book starts with the Channel Islands, the British composed no shortage of plans and even the occasional raid. Operations Constellation, Concertina, Coverlet, and Condor were proposed and dropped.
In 1940, the British evacuated the Channel Island civilians back to the British mainland and declared the islands demilitarized. The Germans bombed with six HE-111s and took the islands without a fight.
As air bombings and commando raids did little but oppress the British citizenry, the Allies ignored the liberation of the Channel Islands until after the German surrender.
Part of the problem was the massive generally bomb-proof fortifications built by the Germans. Another is the citizenry had nowhere to go. It was an island and bombing anything would likely cause citizenry casualties. Mostly, reclaiming the islands wouldn’t alter the war situation.
The book contains 48 black and white photos, four black and white maps about the proposed Operation Condor (invasion of Jersey), and one general black and white map of islands. The photos of the fortifications are fantastic.
About half the book is off-topic, so to speak, but the other half is well worth reading about proposing and dropping plans.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
