MG-34 and MG-42 machine-guns in the collection of the Channel Islands Military Museum bunker, Jersey, Channel Islands.  Space available to accommodate the collection in the bunker is limited, so that things are a bit cramped.  It is still a great, if small, collection (housed in a structure which is an exhibit in itself) which would, I suspect, be of considerable interest to anybody In Here who happens to be on the island.  Best regards, JR.

Channel Islands Military Museum - machine guns.

Embrasure that once housed the 105mm Schneider main armament of the Channel Island Museum's "10.5" casement/bunker, St Ouen, Jersey.  The gun once covered a stretch of open beach as part of the defensive system constructed by the Germans on the west coast of Jersey.

Apart from ammunition storage (limited), the bunker incorporates a gas lock/gas room system (as I recall, to the left of the gun as you view it here) to allow the ignition gases from the cannon to be expelled from the structure without suffocating the occupants.

The British landing it was intended to repel never came - although it is possible that (other than in practice) the Schneider was fired on one occasion;  apparently, when "Operation Overlord" got under way, many of the German guns on Jersey (and there were very many) were fired off, it would seem, for effect.  There were no targets.  Best regards, JR.

Jaws of Death - Jersey, Channel Islands.

Nice photo of "Private" Wojtek enjoying his "retirement" at Edinburgh Zoo.  The amiable Wojtek was a famous veteran of North Africa and Italy, serving with the 22nd Artillery Supply Company, Polish II Corps.  He would, no doubt, have been the one member of his Company who would have preferred not to be demobilized.  However, he seems to have adapted well to the Zoo, enjoying visits from his old comrades and Polish people generally, whose language he apparently recognized.  Best regards, JR.