Channel Islands Occupation Society Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
CIOS
Founded	1961 Jersey branch 1971
Headquarters	Jersey and Guernsey

This Command Bunker forms part of Battery Lothringen, a site managed by the CIOS (Jersey Branch)

10.5cm Casemate at Corbiere managed by the CIOS Jersey

The Channel Islands Occupation Society (CIOS) is a group of volunteers. They study and teach people about the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. They want everyone to understand this important part of history.

The CIOS has two main groups, one in Jersey and one in Guernsey. They also publish a magazine called the Channel Islands Occupation Review. The CIOS looks after many old German forts and historical records on both islands.

Exploring History: The CIOS Jersey Branch
- Sites You Can Visit in Jersey
Discovering the Past: The CIOS Guernsey Branch
- What the Guernsey Branch Does
- Sites You Can Visit in Guernsey
Photos of Managed Fortifications
See also

Exploring History: The CIOS Jersey Branch

The CIOS group in Jersey started in 1971. This branch helps keep history alive.

Sites You Can Visit in Jersey

The Jersey CIOS manages several important historical sites. These places are open for you to explore:

Battery Lothringen: This includes an underground command bunker and a tower used for watching the coast.
Battery Moltke: Another key historical site.
Strongpoint Corbière: Here you can see a special bunker for a mortar and a casemate (a fortified gun position) for a 10.5cm coastal defence gun.
Sechsschartenturm, St. Ouen: A bunker designed for heavy machine guns.
Anti-tank gun casemate at Millbrook, St. Lawrence: A fortified spot for an anti-tank gun.

Discovering the Past: The CIOS Guernsey Branch

The Guernsey CIOS branch began in 1961. It was founded by Richard Heaume. This group continues to research all parts of the German Occupation of the Channel Islands.

What the Guernsey Branch Does

The Guernsey branch has a large collection of historical documents. They also restored the old German naval Signals Headquarters. This building was very important. It handled all messages to the islands from France and later from Germany.

The Guernsey CIOS is part of the Association of Guernsey Charities. Each year, they donate money to The British Red Cross. This is to thank the International Red Cross. They helped the islanders with food supplies in 1944 and 1945.

Sites You Can Visit in Guernsey

The Guernsey CIOS works with other groups to open sites to the public. These include:

Fort Hommet Casemate: A fortified bunker for a 10.5 cm coastal defence gun.
St Jacques Naval Headquarters: The former German naval signals building.
MP3 Tower, Pleinmont: A tower used for observation.
German Underground Hospital, St. Andrews: An underground hospital built during the occupation.
La Vallette Tunnels: A network of tunnels.