A recent review has uncovered that over 1,000 slave laborers died on British soil during World War II at the hands of the Nazis, a significantly higher number than what historical archives had previously recorded. The laborers on the island of Alderney were subjected to horrendous conditions, including starvation, long hours, dangerous work, beatings, and more. The expert panel discovered that between 641 to 1,027 individuals likely perished on Alderney, out of the 7,608 to 7,812 prisoners sent to labor camps during the German occupation.
Despite rumors of thousands of deaths and comparisons to Auschwitz, the review panel found no evidence to support such claims. The investigation aimed to dispel conspiracy theories and shed light on the truth of what occurred on Alderney during the war. The panel also highlighted the lack of justice for the German perpetrators, with the Soviet Union failing to follow up on the case.
The findings of the review have been welcomed by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, emphasizing the importance of accurately remembering the victims and ensuring their stories are widely known. The harrowing history of Alderney, a British territory occupied by the Nazis, serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during this dark period in history.