Island FM airs special programme on an investigation into Nazi atrocities in Alderney

Guernsey’s highly successful commercial radio station Island FM has produced a new programme on a sinister side of the Channel Islands’ World War Two History.

Dark Waters, Alderney’s Nazi Atrocities, is a detailed examination of the expert enquiry begun by Lord Eric Pickles in July 2023.

He gathered a group of eminent historians to scour the records made by the Germans, and kept in institutions world-wide, to ascertain how many slave labourers were transported to Alderney and how many died of the harsh conditions and deliberate cruelty. It also uncovers why those who meted out the terror were never brought to justice.

Island FM Senior Journalist Euan Mahy (pictured) followed the Pickles Inquiry and put the podcast together: “The moment I heard about the Pickles Review I knew that it was a story well worth following and telling.

“Ironically, as time goes by, there is increasing interest in the war years and what happened in the islands, but the fact that the SS ran a labour camp in Alderney has led to sensationalist claims. Dark Waters introduces the listener to those on the panel and relates how they gathered hard facts to counter these myths.

“My guest, Guernsey historian Tim Osborne, adds an extra dimension to the podcast by discussing his own research into members of the SS who exacted terror on the labourers sent to Alderney.”

James Keen, the Managing Director of Island FM says the news special is a new and interesting development for the station: “Euan has used his in depth knowledge of Alderney during the war to tell a truly compelling story.

“It is factual and multi-dimensional and takes the listener into an unfamiliar and chilling chapter of Alderney’s past.

“This demonstrates that we are serious about digging deep into local issues and it is a perfect addition to our output as Britain marks VE Day and islanders celebrate 80 years of freedom from German occupation.”

Dark Waters, Alderney’s Nazi Atrocities, will air live on Island FM at 6pm on 1st May and is available to listen on Apple Podcasts and on the Island FM website.