Adolf Island

Adolf Island is an intriguing and thought-provoking docuseries that first aired on the Smithsonian Channel in 2019. This one-hour-long, single-episode piece of narrative grips the viewer with its meticulously researched content and carefully designed direction. The show follows British archeologist Caroline Sturdy Colls' journey to find out if there is a mass grave in Alderney, one of the smaller Channel Islands.

Colls, well known for her work at the Treblinka extermination camp, applies her expertise in forensic archaeology to solve this Holocaust-era mystery. The Channel Island of Alderney was once the site of one of the most heavily fortified Nazi camps during World War II. Despite hearing several firsthand accounts from local residents and former prisoners regarding the existence of a mass grave, the subject had not been thoroughly investigated until Colls took the command of this mission in Adolf Island.

The series starts with Colls’ research work exploring why the island was treated as a taboo for decades and remained an unexplored chapter in history books. Her journey crisscrosses through witness accounts, confronting conflicting historical records, and battling the physical and political limitations of getting access to specific locations on the island. The whole journey is tailored with a riveting narrative that keeps viewers close to their screen until the end.

The show displays a delicate balance between the haunting past and the cutting-edge technology used to unravel it. Throughout the series, Colls uses non-invasive methods like drone technology and ground-penetrating radar to overcome the restrictions posed by local and national authorities, as well as the natural hindrances due to the island's topography. This scientific approach adds an exciting layer to the witnessing of history.

Complementing Colls' investigation are personal accounts from locals, historians, and archival documents that further broaden the scale of the inquiry. These testimonies take the narrative beyond mere excavation, touching upon human lives affected by the tragic events. Together, they paint a vivid picture of the chilling past— the fear, the suffering, the claims of atrocities, and the sheer horror of the Nazi occupation during WWII.

Showcasing a journey of this scale also brings out an under-reported part of history to light. Alderney has been long forgotten in the annals of WWII history, but this series forces viewers to confront these unsettling stories and underlines how the atrocities of war influenced even the farthest and most secluded corners of the world.

Adolf Island excels at creating a compelling narrative that seeks to reconcile with the past, even if it's uncomfortable and difficult to grasp. However, it doesn't shy away from presenting the high-stake hurdles Colls' encounters during this project. Notably, the series’ focal point is not solely about finding hard, physical evidence to substantiate the claims but also about acknowledging and recording the wartime experiences that many were forced to endure on Alderney.

As the series closes, Adolf Island leaves viewers with a lot to ponder upon and is indeed an eye-opener for those who have little knowledge about Alderney's history. It not only gives them a substantial look into the island's past but also provokes thinking on the importance of not forgetting the suffering of countless people who lost their lives.

This show is a highly recommended watch for anyone interested in history, archaeology, Holocaust studies, or simply those who are passionate about understanding different facets of human society. Sturdy and her team have put together a fascinating exploration into a chapter of European history that, until now, has largely been overlooked. Adolf Island provides a valuable and riveting addition to the existing documentaries on WWII and Holocaust studies, and it's undoubtedly a must-see.