80th ANNIVERSARY
COMMEMORATION
16 May 1945 - Operation ‘Merit’
Operation 'Merit' was the code-name for the relief of Alderney from German occupation.
Plans for the recapture and Liberation of the Channel Islands were drawn up in November 1944, with former Royal Artillery gunner units being re-trained as infantry for the purpose. Under the overall title of Operation 'Nestegg', the plan would be implemented on the announcement of a cessation of hostilities in Europe.
The initial force sailed for the Channel Islands on 9th May 1945 where the surrender of German forces was concluded on that day. Alderney, having been considered a potentially threatening fortress on account of the strength of its defences, was not surrendered until 16th May. Here, the British army units, with supporting naval vessels, sailed for the island under the code-name Operation 'Merit'.
Brigadier Snow headed the landing party which was met by the German commandant, Oberstleutnant Schwalm, at the German jetty before proceeding to a house in Braye Road now known as 'Peacehaven' where the surrender was signed. A massive task of clearing the island of the German war materiel and rehabilitating damaged properties would ensue before the Government considered Alderney was fit for rehabilitation in December 1945.
80th Anniversary Commemoration
16 May 2025 will be remembered as the day when islanders first came together to mark the events 80 years ago when Alderney was finally liberated from occupation by German forces at the end of the Second World War. On this day in 1945, British forces came ashore to accept the surrender of the island – an historic occasion which was symbolically represented by the attendance of the Force 135 living history group at the heart of the moving open-air Service of Commemoration held at the Harbour in the morning. Conducted by Rev. David Knight, Chaplain to the Alderney Branch of the Royal British Legion - whose colours were presented in front of a large congregation and uniformed officers of the Police, RNLI and the emergency services - islanders were reminded of the sombre events which had prevented their families from collectively expressing their joy of freedom at that time.
Organised by The Henry Euler Memorial Trust, the solemnity of the morning service was followed in the afternoon by a Parade through the Town to Royal Connaught Square, where the Island Band entertained islanders and a party of children from St. Anne's School, before an address was delivered by the President of the States, William Tate. He reminded those present of the conditions which prevailed in 1945 and paid tribute to those stalwart islanders who had returned to Alderney some several months after liberation to rebuild their homes and re-establish their constitution. The raising of the Union flag – again reflecting the events of 80 years ago – was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the distant joyful peel of the bells of St. Anne's Church, marking the day when Alderney was re-claimed by the British Crown.
H.M.S. Medusa in Braye Harbour, 12 May 2025
Alderney was blessed with perfect weather on Monday morning, 12th May, to welcome H.M.S. Medusa alongside the pontoon in Braye Harbour, with the island's blue ensign proudly flying from the Sailing Club mast for the very first time. His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell – patron of The Henry Euler Memorial Trust, was welcomed aboard by the ship's commander Alan Watson OBE, Chairman of the Medusa Trust. He was followed on the hour by many captivated visitors, including a party of children from St. Anne’s School, all of whom were able to explore every part of this beautifully restored harbour defence vessel launched in 1943 and to learn about her dangerous mission on D-Day.
H.M.S. Medusa launches Alderney’s liberation.
The Henry Euler Memorial Trust's patron, the Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant General Cripwell CB, CBE, clearly enjoyed his visit below decks on H.M.S.Medusa.
Alan Watson OBE, Chairman of the Medusa Trust and commander of the ship, talks with the Lieutenant-Governor at the stern of H.M.S. Medusa.
The Lieutenant-Governor goes ashore with Alan Watson after his tour of H.M.S. Medusa as the first visitors go aboard.
Trust patron, the Lieutenant-Governor, with Trustees Neil Hunter (left) and Colin Partridge, stand in front of the Alderney Sailing Club where the Alderney ensign flies at the head of the signal mast for the first time.
The fine lines of H.M.S. Medusa's flush deck profile are evident in this view of the ship as visitors continue their tour conducted by her crew members.
The cramped engine room space is evident in this picture as the youngest crew member of H.M.S. Medusa explains the features of one of the two Gardner diesel engines.
Visitors continue their tour of Medusa's upper deck as she lies alongside the pontoon at low tide in Braye Harbour.
Beginning their tour of the all-wood Medusa, visitors are conducted around the upper deck before going below in separate groups.
This close-up view of Medusa's open bridge, with twin machine-guns on port and starboard, shows how exposed the crew members were to enemy fire on D-Day.
Boys from St. Anne's School have the finer points of the chart room functions explained to them by one of Medusa's very knowledgeable crew members.
The girls from St. Anne's School receive their orders on the bridge from one of the crew on how to take the wheel of Medusa.
Visitors are given instructions on how to operate the 20mm Oerlikon cannon, with its minimal armour shield, on Medusa's foredeck.
The main armament of H.M.S. Medusa, is always the centre of attention, as visitors begin their tour of this beautifully restored historic vessel.
Fine weather in Braye Harbour ensured that visitors enjoyed their tour of the Medusa throughout this memorable day for Alderney.
Visitors assemble at the Trust's control point before going aboard H.M.S. Medusa.
Operation ‘Merit’ Souvenir Card
The Trust's free souvenir cards, providing the historical background to the visits of H.M.S. Medusa and the Force 135 living history group, together with the programme for 16 May, were distributed before and during the events.
Read the full Souvenir Card or download it below.
Harbour Commemoration Service, 16 May 2025
With the giant anchor base at Braye Harbour forming the podium from which the Service of Commemoration was conducted, islanders finally came together to mark the day on which Alderney regained its freedom in 1945 ... one week after the other Channel Islands.
Robin Whicker delivers the introduction to the Service of Commemoration at Braye Harbour on the morning of 16 May.
The Force 135 living history contingent march from the Commercial Quay as they did in May 1945, on this occasion to an island reception.
Rev. David Knight, Chaplain to the Alderney Branch of the Royal British Legion, leads the service with the colour bearers flanked by Force 135.
Uniformed Police, Fire, Ambulance and RNLI staff joined the Service of Commemoration at the Harbour, along with many islanders.
Force 135 present arms as the congregation stand for the National Anthem at the conclusion of Friday morning's moving service.
Residents and staff of the Connaught Care Home, with their flags, watched on with William Tate, President of the States (left) in attendance.
Parade to Connaught Square, 16 May 2025
Commencing at the bottom of Victoria Street, the Parade followed a route through St. Anne's to Royal Connaught Square where islanders were entertained by the Island Band before an address by the President, William Tate, and the raising of the Union flag as on the afternoon in 1945.
Led by the Royal British Legion colour bearers, the Parade sets off from the bottom of Victoria Street on the afternoon of 16 May.
As the Legion colours head the Parade down Queen Elizabeth II Street, Force 135 prepare to “eyes right” as they pass the grave of Sapper Onions.
Part of the large gathering in the Island Hall gardens, from the youngest to the older generation, welcome the Parade in warm sunshine.
Every vantage point was taken up, including Church Street and the Old Town Church cemetery, by those joining in the celebrations.
The President, William Tate, addresses the audience from the entrance to the States Offices, flanked by the Legion colour bearers and Force 135.
This party of happy children from St. Anne's School, together with the Island Band, helped to make the afternoon a joyful celebration of freedom.
Force 135 at Liberation
Symbolically recreating the arrival of Force 135 on 16 May 1945, Guernsey and Jersey members of the living history group set up open camp at Braye Common, welcoming both islanders and visitors before participating in the 80th anniversary events at the Harbour and in Town on Friday.
Force 135 pay their respects in St. Anne's Churchyard at the grave of Sapper Onions, killed while clearing mines in 1945.
Wherever they travel, the Force 135 team make a point of visiting all of the local war memorials, as here in Victoria Street.
Russ Doherty, the officer i/c of the Force 135 team, sets out his kit in one of the tents into which the public were invited.
Force 135 team members are extremely knowledgeable about all of their equipment and only too willing to share it with visitors of all ages.
A steady stream of islanders and visitors visited the Force 135 camp at Braye throughout Thursday and Friday, 15 and 16 May.
The Force 135 team brought an intriguing collection of contemporary arms and equipment with them to Alderney.
Amongst the fascinating items on display for visitors to examine were the typical contents of the foot soldier's personal kit.
Brilliant sunshine and the setting on Braye Common formed an attractive location for the Force 135 camp.
Force 135 at St. Anne’s School
Thanks to the full cooperation of St. Anne's School, the Force 135 team were able to interact with the children of all ages after morning assembly on 16 May, bringing to life the momentous events of 16 May 1945 and ensuring that the significance of the date is preserved for future generations.
History teacher, Julian Holland, introduces the Force 135 team to children after assembly at St. Anne's School on the morning of 16 May.
Russell Doherty, the officer in command of the Force 135 group, outlines the story behind their arrival in Alderney on 16 May 1945.
Members of the Force 135 team stand ready to explain the details of their fascinating collection of contemporary weapons and artefacts.
The girls show just as much interest as the boys in the life experienced by the troops of Force 135 when they landed in Alderney in 1945.
Children of all ages are engaged with the stories of daring deeds brought to life by the Force 135 team bringing history into the classroom.
The finer points of handling and operating the soldier's main sidearms and light machine- gun are being explained to these children.
Information Boards at Braye Street
The Trust's new information boards, beside the Affray Memorial in Braye Street, tell the full story of the restoration of Alderney's freedom up to the delayed return of islanders in December 1945.
Liberation eye-witness
Listen to the recording of islander Dick Allen's eye-witness account of his tour around Alderney only a few days after the German surrender, with his vivid description of the state of the island.
Prize Book Draw
Mark Lamerton's detailed two-volume history Liberated by Force 135 – the subject of the Trust's prize book draw – can be purchased here.