A memorial commemorating the Allied airmen shot down in the Bailiwick of Guernsey during the Second World War was approved and could be built up in time of WWII’s end 70th anniversary celebration.
The planning permission to build the said memorial has already been released with the foundations set to be placed in front of Guernsey Airport’s terminal building.
There is no official design for the edifice yet but the fundraising for it aimed at procuring about 50,000 pounds have already started.
Historically Speaking
The island of Guernsey along with other Channel Islands were only the British soil occupied by the Germans during WWII.
Over 110 airmen were killed either in the Bailiwick or further beyond after being shot down by German antiaircraft.
Allied Aircrew Memorial committee member Mike Snelling further added that research have revealed this number included 80 from the United States Army Air Force as well as airmen from the Royal Air Force which included Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians. There was even a common belief among experts that one craft had reached Roches Douvres reef which is about 25 nautical miles away from Guernsey after it was hit by the Germans.
Key Step
“I’m delighted that the first step has been taken and we can now go ahead with the process of obtaining designs and funding for the actual monument itself,’ said Pat Johnson who spearheaded the project.
Lagan Construction is set to lay out the memorial’s foundation in the coming days. The said company is also the one behind the 80 million-pound airfield renovation work.
Mr. Snelling further stated that while they are yet to consider designs for Bailiwick memorial, they expect it to be 20 feet in height and the cost is estimated to total to about 50,000 pounds including the planning and architect’s fees.
RAF Association’s Guernsey branch (RAFA) started the fundraising drive for the project by donating 1,000 pounds.
Mick O’Connell, RAFA’s chairman, stated that their support for the project is all out since it is aimed at honoring “the memory of over a hundred allied aircrew lost in Bailiwick waters”. He also hoped that other groups and organizations would join the project’s drive.