Occupied Jersey

On July 1st 1940, Nazi Germany occupied Jersey and the Channel Islands, after the British government decided that they were of no strategic importance and would not be defended. During the 5 years of occupation, the Germans tried to make of the Channel Islands and impenetrable fortress, building a set of fortifications that are still scattered around the islands today. The occupation ended on May the 9th 1945, upon surrender of Nazi Germany.

When I visited Jersey in early 2019, I was fascinated by how these relics fit into the rugged nature of the small island and I decided to tell this story visually. I opted for 5 stills, one per year of occupation. These pictures are pure landscape, entirely void of people to emphasise the contrast between a natural fortress and its man-made imitation.