The following is commentary on Episode No. 8 ("For Strategic Reasons") from members of AFAMILYATWAR-LIST. If you wish to add your thoughts to what is being said on this page, become a part of our discussion group by clicking the "Join" button.
Richard Veit
German occupation of the Channel Islands was a shocking development for Britain during the early months of the war. What a terrifying experience it must have been for the islands’ inhabitants, to witness the withdrawal of friendly troops (“for strategic reasons”) and then await the inevitable onset of enemy control.
In this powerful and fast-paced episode, it is the fictional Brehaut family who are trapped in a nightmarish chapter of history, and it is sad to witness their helplessness in the shadow of such an ominous force. Dominique, in particular, is shattered by the prospect, dreading the unknown as she casts a wary eye toward the French coast. Philip, for his part, is unable to assuage her fears, placing his hope in the false assumption that Germany would not be interested in conquering such “insignificant” prizes as Jersey and Guernsey. Abandoning the young woman to her fate, he departs with a gnawing sense of guilt that will haunt him for years to come. Contrariwise, the impulsive Eddie Chappell throws caution to the wind and breaks from the ranks, boldly forging a new life with Dominique’s sister, Madeleine.
I wonder about Philip’s motives in choosing not to return to the Brehaut home prior to the journey back to England. Is it his sense of duty, as a lance corporal, to his military superiors? Is it because he does not truly love Dominique? Is it because he does love her but is afraid of committing too rashly to such a permanent relationship? Was he ethically justified in severing his attachment to her without so much as a word? And just what did Dominique really mean when she conveyed a message to Philip that she “understood” him?
Several memorable moments remain etched in my mind after viewing “For Strategic Reasons.” One, certainly, is how hard the news of John Porter’s presumed death hits Philip when he reads the letter from home. (It is clear to see that he has accepted Margaret’s husband as a member of the family.) Another is poor Albert’s reaction when his awkward attempt at flirting with Dominique is dashed by the arrival of Eddie and Philip. And there is a revealing scene when sibling rivalry trumps any concerns for the war, as Madeleine shocks her older sister by divulging that she was an eyewitness to Dominique’s summertime tryst with “that Scottish boy.”
Once again, as throughout the entire series, the military staging is brilliant, and Ray Smith’s portrayal of Sergeant Connor is right on target. It reminds me of an army sergeant I had at basic training. He was tough as nails but humourous in a demeaning, sarcastic way that got his point across most effectively. Though he humiliated many in doing so, ultimately he gained the respect of everyone in the platoon because of his forthright, plainspoken approach to instruction and discipline.
I love that moment at Company Headquarters in Beaucamps when Captain Leyland-Smith responds to the impending disaster by calling for some tea!
Quite effective, I think, is director Tim Jones’s decision to have a two-shot at the instant when it is revealed to the Brehaut sisters that the troops are departing for England. The camera initially frames Madeleine in the foreground, but then the more distant Dominique comes into focus to show her concern that Philip will be among the retreating soldiers.
It is pitiable to see the confused children evacuees, each identified with a name tag, waiting to board the Biarritz for the journey away from the only home most of them have ever known.
Production note: Am I correct in assuming that all of the exterior scenes were shot on location in Guernsey?
Though “For Strategic Reasons” is, of necessity, quite a serious episode, there are several less portentous moments as well: cute little Marie, who brings her mother’s bread pudding to the guard house at Fort Doyle; the absurdity of Mr. Brehaut’s determined search for a missing whistle to complete his uniform; and that touching instant when Eddie’s marriage proposal causes Madeleine’s face to light up with a pretty smile.
Of related historical interest, there is quite an informative website to be found at:
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/content/articles/2004/07/19/occupation_timeline_1939_feature.shtml>.
It provides a detailed timeline, even mentioning the SS Biarritz in the entry for 20 June 1940.
I highly recommend the British television series "Island at War." Set in six episodes (398 minutes), it concerns the German occupation of the Channel Islands, in this case the fictional island of St. Gregory. The script, by writer/actor Stephen Mallatratt ("Coronation Street," "The Forsyte Saga") is tight and suspenseful, the acting superb.
Paul Cook
I was struck by a minor interaction in a cafe between Philip and an enlisted soldier, Albert, whilst he was stationed in Guernsey. The soldier from Guernsey, (a Guern(s)ian?) stated that he was soon to return to his posting with the army to Liverpool, as part of the Ack-Ack defences at the docks. How ironic that Philip travelled all that way to Albert's home in Guernsey, and Albert, vice versa to the Ashton home in Liverpool. I am sure these few lines of script resonated with much of the television audience at the time, who, subject to the bureaucracy of war-time operations, found themselves in rather unexpected, and surprising, locations.
Richard Veit
Very typical indeed of the military. Back in 1970, I was drafted in Texas (central USA), so I suspected that I would not end up serving near there. Sure enough, the army chose to send me to California (Pacific coast) for my basic training and then to North Carolina (Atlantic coast) for my regular duty station. You can’t get much farther apart than that, in terms of west to east, and still remain on the North American continent.
In “For Strategic Reasons,” I felt sorry for poor Albert, who seemed to be quite a nice chap but to whom Dominique seemed downright rude. I hope she and Madeleine survived the German occupation all right. I suppose we’ll never know for sure, as the Brehaut sisters never re-appear in the series. Yes, I KNOW they are only fictional characters, but I still worry about them!!!
John Finch
"For Strategic Reasons" was written by the late Harry Kershaw, a founder writer, and former editor and producer of "Coronation Street." He was stationed in Guernsey immediately prior to the occupation, serving in the Cheshire Regiment. I always suspected that Dominique was based on a real girl friend but never got round to asking.
