Hohlgangsanlage 8 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hohlgangsanlage 8 |
|
|---|---|
| German Underground Hospital | |
| Part of Atlantic Wall | |
| Jersey | |
Entrance to Ho8
|
|
| Coordinates | 49°12′37″N 2°09′15″W / 49.2103°N 2.1542°W |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Restored, museum & memorial to slave labourers |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1941–1945 |
| Built by | Organisation Todt (Nazi Germany) |
| In use | 1941–45 |
| Materials | Concrete, steel, and timber |
| Events | Occupation of the Channel Islands |
Hohlgangsanlage 8 (often called Ho8) is a large underground tunnel system in St. Lawrence, Jersey. It is also known as the German Underground Hospital or the Jersey War Tunnels. German forces built these tunnels during World War II when they occupied Jersey. Over 1 kilometer (about 0.6 miles) of tunnels were completed. After the war, the complex was turned into a museum. It tells the story of the occupation and is a popular place for visitors today.
Contents
Building the Tunnels: A Look at History
After Adolf Hitler ordered the Channel Islands to be heavily fortified in October 1941, work began on many defenses around Jersey. Ho8 was planned to be a huge network of tunnels. The idea was to protect German soldiers from Allied air raids and bombs. This was in case the Allies tried to invade.
Who Built the Tunnels?
Workers were brought to Jersey to build this complex. Many of them were forced laborers from a German group called Organisation Todt. This group built military projects for Nazi Germany. There were also some paid and skilled workers.
Many of the forced laborers came from countries like Poland, France, Russia, and Republican Spain. Their working conditions were very difficult. Russian and Ukrainian POWs (prisoners of war) were treated the worst. They often suffered from not enough food, exhaustion, and illness. Sadly, many of them died. On the other hand, workers who volunteered for the job often had much better conditions. They were paid more than four times what they would have earned in similar jobs in Jersey. They also often received extra food.
From Shelter to Hospital
In late 1943, it became clear that the Allies might invade Europe. This invasion was called Operation Overlord. Because of this, Ho8 was changed from a shelter into a hospital. It was meant to be a place to treat injured soldiers and an emergency hospital.
The hospital had 500 beds for patients. It even had a full heating and air conditioning system. The tunnels themselves usually stayed at a cool 17°C (about 63°F) because they were built deep inside the hillside. Special gas-proof doors were put in to keep the air clean inside the tunnels. A fully equipped operating room was also installed. Any tunnels that were not finished were sealed off.
The End of the War
Despite all the huge preparations and defenses on the Channel Islands, they were never actually used in battle. The German forces in the Channel Islands surrendered on May 9, 1945. This was one day after the rest of the German forces surrendered in Europe. After the surrender, Ho8 was no longer used. British soldiers and people looking for souvenirs took equipment from the tunnels.
After the War: The Jersey War Tunnels Today
In July 1946, the government of Jersey (called the States of Jersey) opened the tunnels to the public. Later, in 1961, a court decided that the underground complex belonged to the private owners of the land above it. So, Ho8 became privately owned.
A Museum and Memorial
The tunnel complex was restored and turned into a museum. It now holds a collection of items from the occupation. It also serves as a memorial to those who suffered during that time. In 2001, a special exhibit called "Captive Island" was opened in the tunnels. This exhibit shows what everyday life was like for people in Jersey before, during, and after the German occupation.
Today, Ho8 is usually called the "Jersey War Tunnels." The museum also displays military vehicles. For example, it has housed a Char B1 bis tank. This tank served in Jersey with a German tank unit during the occupation. It was on loan from The Tank Museum. As of March 2012, the war tunnels also own a replica Stug III tank destroyer.
See also
