High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Channel Islands were occupied by Nazi Germany for much of World War II, from 30 June 1940 until the liberation on 9 May 1945. The Channel Islands are two British Crown dependencies and include the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey (which are not parts of the United Kingdom) as well as the smaller islands of Alderney and Sark (both part of the bailiwick of Guernsey). The islands, which are closer to Normandy than they are to Britain, were the only portions of the British Isles to be invaded and occupied by German forces during the war.