Alderney

Abstract

Geological support for the fortification of Alderney came principally from the German Army. During 1941 it came from Second Lieutenant Walther Klüpfel on Jersey, subsequently from the ‘Technical War Administration Officers’ (TKVRs) Walter Wetzel and Friedrich Röhrer in Paris. During 1942 it came first from Lance Corporal (later TKVR) Dieter Hoenes on assignment from the military geological team Wehrgeologenstelle 7, and for the rest of the year from TKVRs Dieter Hoenes and Bernard Beschoren whilst based on Guernsey leading Wehrgeologenstelle 4. Most reports focused on aspects of water supply, and the need to develop groundwater by means of shallow infiltration galleries rather than deep drilled boreholes. Geological studies were complemented by an earth resistivity survey carried out in March–April 1942 by a geophysics reconnaissance unit of the German Army’s military geological organization, led by TKVR Johann Kliemstein (seemingly assisted by TKV Inspektor Woerner): to help determine the depth to groundwater in weathered basement rocks and the extent of a likely freshwater lens above sea water in the coastal zone. Army geologists compiled thematic maps at the scale of 1:10,000, notably two military geological maps to guide extensive fortification in a way comparable with that on Jersey and Guernsey and a raw materials map and report to guide quarrying of bedrock and superficial sands/gravels to support the construction programme. They also compiled reports related to tunnelling for underground facilities, as on the other islands, although in a different geological setting. Additionally, Air Force construction teams at work on sites for anti-aircraft batteries and other facilities had access in 1942 and 1943 to the expertise of a geologist within the Luftwaffe’s field works office for the Channel Islands, based on Guernsey.