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Landing Craft Utility (LCUs) of 6 Assault Squadron Royal Marines from HMS ALBION practice beach landings on St Ouens Bay in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, 9 May 2005 [Phot: Jon Hamlet]
Commodore Jamie Miller CBE (left) salutes while Sub Lieutenant Patrick Stephens positions a wreath at the grave of a Naval rating during a ceremony in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, 9 May 2005 [Phot: Jon Hamlet]

Devonport-based HMS Albion played her part in remembering the liberation of the Channel Islands sixty years ago during the celebrations on 9 May 2005.

The 18,500 tonne assault ship anchored around a mile off the coast of Jersey while five of  her landing craft, operated by Royal Marines, helped mount a re-enactment of a World War Two amphibious assault on St Aubin’s Bay.

Volunteers dressed in authentic uniforms used vintage vehicles onboard the landing craft to simulate the assault by Taskforce 135 which liberated the islands on the 9th May 1945.

On 14th June 1940 Paris had surrendered to the German Army.  The following day, the British Government announced that the Channel Islands were of no strategic importance and would not be defended.  The Germans started bombing Jersey on 18th June 1940.  The bombings resulted in the loss of 44 people.  Shortly after, the Germans issued an ultimatum demanding surrender. On 1st July 1940 a German commandant landed without opposition at Jersey Airport.  During 1942 a total of 1,186 English persons were evacuated to camps in southern Germany.  The deportation was a direct order from Hitler who wanted 10 British citizens deported for every German civilian captured by British forces in the Middle East.  The war in Europe ended on 8th May 1945 and the Germans surrendered the island on the following day, now referred to as Liberation Day.

Earlier, up to 100 of HMS Albion’s crew marched through Jersey dressed in full uniform, with the marching band of the Royal Welsh Regiment, while on Sunday senior members of the crew took part in a special service to remember the island’s dead, wreaths were also laid at the town’s cemetery.

Her Commanding Officer Captain Keith Winstanley said:

"We are thrilled to be taking a break from our operational programme to participate in this historic event as part of the national 60th anniversary celebrations.  The Channel Islanders who suffered the privations of occupation all those years ago deserve recognition and thanks."

HMS Albion also took advantage of the coastline and carried out exercises over the last few days with 6 Assault Squadron Royal Marines carrying out a number of beach landings.

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