Alderney WW2 hospital bunker opens as attraction

States of Alderney president William Tate, centre, opened the attraction at a ribbon cutting ceremony on 6 July

A World War Two hospital bunker which has opened as a tourist attraction has been praised as "truly magnificent" by the States of Alderney's president.

William Tate said the German bunker, which opened to the public on 6 July, was "part and parcel of the history of the island" and had been turned from a "derelict bunker" into the "most incredible tourist attraction".

Mr Tate said the museum allowed people to get a "real sense of what happened on this island during that terrible period of occupation".

The bunker, off Longis Road, Alderney, is the only one of its design in the Channel Islands.

The hospital was built by forced labourers in 1943 during the occupation and was used by the German army.

During the two years it was in use it contained bunk beds for up to 30 patients and a treatment room that could deal with major operations.

Mr Tate said the attraction allowed people to get a "real sense of what happened on this island during that terrible period of occupation"

'Poignancy'

Brothers John and David Clayton first visited the island in 1966 "as little kids" but had "no idea" the hospital was there until this month, despite having walked past it many times.

John Clayton said they "fell in love with the island" and used to play in many of the islands bunkers, but didn't realise their history as children.

He said the "poignancy is just absolutely amazing" and he hoped the new attraction would help ensure the history "stays alive for generations to come".

David Clayton said it was "amazing" that the island was creating "new old things" and said it was a "credit to everyone involved".