Dealing with the Enemy: Labour, Commodities and Rations

Abstract

Apart from the vast gulf between the Island officials and the local population in terms of their perceived patriotic duty towards Britain, the former were also to encounter a more practical separation from the hearts and minds of their countrymen, when they endeavoured to explain their policies and actions through the German-controlled Press. These difficulties served only to compound their isolation, rendering their duties even more troublesome. In fact at times — especially in Guernsey — the Island administrations faced a barrage of criticism, particularly before they decided to take steps to vindicate their actions by disseminating some information privately. That this strategy seems to have been at least partly effective is borne out by the statement in Wilfred Renouf’s letter, recorded in England late in 1944, which confirmed that ‘revelations’ have since convinced many people that ‘the States did do all it could to mitigate conditions’.

On the other hand, by not knowing everything that was going on behind the scenes, the public were saved the worries and anxieties, present and future, which were the daily lot of the Committee… [We were plainly told] “If you don’t carry out the orders, then we shall have to act and we point out to you that the consequences to the population will be more unfortunate than if you do as we order you. It is for you to choose.”¹