World War II-era German bunker discovered on Guernsey island by a couple.
In the quaint island of Guernsey, a significant historical discovery was made during a home renovation project. The newly-acquired property, owned by British couple Sean and Carolyn Tully, hid a relic of World War II - a Nazi bunker built by German soldiers during their occupation of the island from 1940 to 1945.
The Channel Islands, including Guernsey, were occupied by Nazi forces after Britain withdrew troops in May 1940. In response, the Germans constructed extensive bunkers and defenses on Guernsey as a strategic base for potential attacks on England.
During their renovation, the Tullies stumbled upon a hidden hatch, leading them to uncover a hitherto buried structure consisting of two rooms connected by a hallway, and even a rifle point for defense. The walls bore German inscriptions, such as "Achtung, Feind hört mit!" ("Beware, the Enemy is Listening!"), and contained numerous wartime relics like old tin cans and bullet casings.
Sean Tully spent several years meticulously excavating the bunker, which extends approximately 26 feet underground. The couple plans to transform this historical site into a hobby space, fitting it with a snooker table and fitness equipment. They aim to preserve the bunker's historical significance while adapting it for modern use.
Exploring the bunker felt like a journey through time for Sean, who emphasised the importance of preserving this "dark part" of Guernsey's past to ensure it is not forgotten. The discovery was reported by the Daily Star, but further information about the current state or condition of the bunker remains undisclosed.
The newly discovered bunker serves as a tangible reminder of Guernsey's WWII occupation, rediscovered due to local knowledge and careful excavation, and is now being sensitively repurposed as a private leisure space.
[1] The Daily Star - Nazi bunker discovered under Guernsey home [2] BBC News - Guernsey's World War II German bunker uncovered [3] The Guardian - Guernsey couple finds Nazi bunker under their home during renovations
- The Tullys decided to repurpose their newly discovered World War II Nazi bunker located under their home, intending to transform it into a hobby space equipped with a snooker table and fitness equipment, thus blending their lifestyle with home-and-garden projects while preserving its historical importance.
- As they continued their home-and-garden project, the Tullies crafted their home's unique appeal by incorporating a hidden historical artifact, presenting a fascinating fusion of antiquated wartime relics and modern amenities, symbolizing the island's rich history and the couple's lifestyle.
