The Channel Islands were occupied by Nazi invaders between July 1940 and May 1945. During that time there was inevitable fraternisation between the often charming and handsome German soldiers and local women. Only the women could attest to their motives, though physical attraction and love would often have been present. Some though tended to side with their German lovers and against their neighbours, maybe to obtain extra rations or other favours. The women were known as Jerry bags, and the worst of these in Jersey was Alexandrine Baudains, or Ginger Lou.

Pic credit theislandwiki.org
Mistress of a high-ranking German officer she identified herself completely with the ‘Master Race’. She would drive around in a chauffeur-driven car, flaunting her favoured status. Given the opportunity she would denounce or ‘shop’ anyone to the Nazis for minor acts of defiance or resistance. If she saw a queue outside a shop she might go in and buy all of the precious rationed goods, leaving the queue to disperse.
When the Channel Islands were liberated in May 1945, she lay low, fearing reprisals. She was wise to do as, when she ventured out for a spot of fresh air, she was set upon in Seaton Place by a crowd, mainly women. She was saved from being lynched from a lamp post by members of the British Army and she and her son were taken into police custody for their own safety. There they remained for 11 months until a journalist discovered their whereabouts.
Old wounds were opened and the pair were ejected from prison to be taken in by the Little Sisters of the Poor. From there they were packed onto a boat for England with instructions never to return.
I wonder what became of them?
Sources – Doctor John Lewis, Roy McLoughlin, theislandwiki.org
Fascinating story. I like the term Jerry bag.
LikeLike
It sure is. No doubt someone out there knows how the story ended.
LikeLike
If someone tells you, let us know.
LikeLike
Sounds like an intriguing story, Roy. Thanks for the introduction.
LikeLike
The whole issue of fraternisation was one that produced strong feelings at the time Jill, but inevitably things settled down afterwards and life moved on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re teasing us, Roy!
LikeLike
One of those stories that it’s perhaps best to leave at that point Jane, though one can’t help wondering… Maybe there’s a short story in it 🙂
LikeLike
I think there is!
LikeLike
She sounds like a piece of work, but I guess there’ll always be those who take advantage of the worst circumstances. But then you wonder if they never think about what the future might hold for them…
LikeLike
It didn’t go well after Liberation for those known to be Jerry bags, collaborators or informers Andrea. No extreme violence, but people remembered well and made life uncomfortable for those that chose to remain in Jersey.
Ginger Lou certainly put all her chips on a Nazi win and was lucky to get out in one piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. I am fascinated by any story relating to the Holocaust and this story is no exception. I would love to get into her head. Was this all purely for survival? Was she an opportunist in other ways throughout her life, too? I’d love to know more.
LikeLike
Not directly Holocaust-related, though a few people from the islands did end up in Nazi death camps. Concerning Ginger Lou it seems that any further information has died with her. Elsewhere in the world she might not have got away with turning on her own people.
LikeLike
Ugh. Such ugliness. I wonder how people like that sleep at night . . .
LikeLike
Indeed Kristine. I hope she never got another good night’s sleep in her life. Generally, the Island’s informers and collaborators, even when identified, got away with it after the Occupation as things returned to some normality.
LikeLike