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Reflecting on 80 Years since the Homecoming
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the return of the first islanders to Alderney following World War II and the German Occupation. In 1945, after years of displacement, families began to return to their homeland, finding a landscape forever changed by the conflict.
Alderney holds a unique place in British history as the only island in the Channel Islands to have been completely evacuated during the German Occupation. The island’s strategic significance led to the construction of numerous fortifications, which remain as enduring symbols of its past. These structures, ranging from coastal defence batteries to bunkers and observation towers, serve as poignant reminders of the island’s role during the war.
This year, an Occupation Trail has been developed by Visit Alderney with the help of historian Colin Partridge, which covers 80 key sites around the island that played key roles during the German Occupation. As well as commemorating Alderney’s turbulent past, it helps future generations understand the realities of what happened to those living on the island, providing a unique opportunity to reflect on the island’s wartime experience.
